Jeter's jolt electrifies Yankees

Derek Jeter solidified his place in New York Yankees lore as the three-time defending World Series champions became the first team to win a best-of-five series after losing the first two games at home.

New York fell behind early as pitcher Roger Clemens struggled with form, then seized on Oakland's nerves to beat the Athletics 5-3 in the deciding fifth game on Monday night and advance to the American League Championship Series.

"Whenever they need a big play, he's there to make it," said the Oakland manager, Art Howe, of Jeter. "I guess that's the reason he's wearing so many rings." The 27-year-old shortstop has four World Series championship rings from his first five seasons in the majors.

On Monday night, he drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and made the defensive play of the game. In the eighth, Terence Long lifted a foul toward the stands beyond third base. Jeter raced toward the fence and reached out to snag the ball before toppling into the stands and landing among the fans. Eric Chavez advanced to second base, but Jeter had taken away one of Oakland's outs and the relief pitcher, Mariano Rivera, shut out the rest of the game.

New York will face Seattle after the Mariners claimed a 3-1 win over the Cleveland Indians in their deciding game.