Minnesota took a 2-0 lead in the third when Cabrera singled with two outs, Mauer doubled, Cuddyer hit an RBI single and Posada crossed up with Sabathia and allowed a run-scoring passed ball.

Casey Stengel hit the first postseason home run across the street at original Yankee Stadium, an inside-the-parker that gave the New York Giants a 5-4 win in the 1923 World Series opener.

Jeter tied the score with a drive about 10 feet fair down the left-field line. With his 18th postseason home run, he tied Yankees stars Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson for third on the career list behind Manny Ramirez (28) and Bernie Williams (22), another former New York star

“You get a two-run lead quick, and as soon as you go back out, it’s a 2-2 ballgame with a homer,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “That’s a little deflating.”

The captain was on base four times with two hits and two walks, and scored three runs.

“It’s pretty fitting what he did tonight,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi, managing his first postseason game since replacing Joe Torre two years ago. “That’s Derek Jeter at this time of the year.”

Slideshow   Baseball playoffs: Day 15 Check out all the best action from the MLB playoffs. more photos

A left-hander who pitched for the U.S. in the Olympics last year, Duensing had never even been to New York before and made just nine starts during his rookie season.

“I wish that we could go hire a right-hander to come in and eat them all up,” Gardenhire said. “But we have a few left-handers that have to pitch. That’s just the way it is.”

Duensing gave up five runs and seven hits in 4 2-3 innings.

“The crowd was into it. An unbelievable atmosphere,” Duensing said. “Just wished it would have turned out a little better.”

Notes: Matsui has seven postseason homers. He hit 13 off left-handers during the regular season, tied for big league lead among left-handed batters. ... Phil Hughes followed Sabathia and struck out Cabrera in a 10-pitch at-bat. Mariano Rivera, New York’s fourth reliever, struck out two in the ninth.

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