"It was not quite "The Flip," but Saturday night Derek Jeter made another improvised play that loomed large in a Yankee playoff game.

Jeter's decision to step in and make the relay throw on a fifth-inning, run-saving play at the plate helped spur the Yankees to a 9-3 win and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five ALDS.

Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera had no doubt that it was the play of the night, just like Jeter's "flip" toss to the plate that proved pivotal in the 2001 ALDS against Oakland.

"That was the difference in the game," Cabrera said. "If we score a run, we could go on a run right there.""