NEW YORK (AP) — Derek Jeter hit an RBI triple just past bubble-blowing center fielder Adam Jones, moving the New York Yankees into a 1-all tie with the Baltimore Orioles after three innings Wednesday night in Game 3 of their AL division series.
The best-of-five series was tied at 1 game apiece, with all remaining games in the Bronx.
With Russell Martin on third following a one-out double off Miguel Gonzalez, Jeter hit a ball deep to right-center. Jones, a blowing a big, pink bubble as he tried to track it down, didn't anticipate it tailing to right as much as it did. The ball dropped just beyond the All-Star's outstretched glove as he crashed into the wall.
Ryan Flaherty homered over the right-field short porch in the top of the third, putting the Orioles ahead.
Taken by the Orioles from the Chicago Cubs in December's winter meetings draft of unprotected players, Flaherty connected on an 82 mph slider from Hiroki Kuroda for Baltimore's first postseason home run since 1997. It was just the second at-bat of the series for Flaherty, who platoons with Robert Andino at second base.
Kuroda, making his first postseason start in three years, gave up three hits in the first three innings, walked none and struck out one. Gonzalez, in his first playoffs start, allowed three hits, struck out two and walked none.
In Game 4 on Thursday night, Phil Hughes (16-13) starts for the Yankees. The Orioles had not decided between lefty Joe Saunders (9-13) or righty Chris Tillman (9-3).
Gonzalez, a 28-year-old rookie, was released by Boston in December, started the season in the minor leagues and made his first major league start on July 6. He went 9-4 with a 3.25 ERA.
Kuroda, a 37-year-old veteran of 11 seasons in Japan, is completing his fifth year in the big leagues and first with the Yankees. He was 16-11 with a 3.32 ERA and won his final two regular-season starts after struggling for much of the second half.
Nate McLouth led off the game with a single to right but J.J. Hardy flied out and McLouth was caught stealing at second by Martin. McLouth reached the base in time but Jeter slapped him on the back of his left leg, pushing McLouth off the base. Orioles manager Buck Showalter argued unsuccessfully with second base umpire Mike Everitt.
Nick Swisher, who had been 0 for 6 with five strikeouts against Gonzalez, singled up the middle with one out in the second to become New York's first baserunner. Mark Teixeira, who had been 4 for 8 in the opening two games, bounced into a 3-6-3 double play.
Martin hit a one-hop double off the left-field wall leading off the bottom of third. Martin advanced when Eric Chavez grounded sharply to first as Mark Reynolds made a diving stop. After Jeter's first triple since August 2011, Ichiro Suzuki flied out to center.
NOTES: Injured Yankees closer Mariano Rivera threw out the ceremonial first pitch.