Backed by Derek Jeter's three RBI and a relentless offense, Brown threw six strong innings to lead the Yankees past the frustrated Minnesota Twins 8-4 on Friday night for a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five AL playoff series.

"As long as you can keep them from scoring, you know you've done your job for the team," Brown said.

Hoping to save Minnesota's season, ace Johan Santana will start on three days' rest today against Javier Vazquez.

Bernie Williams extended a major-league record by hitting his 20th postseason homer, a two-run shot off Carlos Silva that put the Yankees up 5-1 in the sixth.

Jeter went 3-for-5 and Hideki Matsui also homered for New York - now just one win from a bitter rematch with the rival Boston Red Sox in the AL championship series.

The 39-year-old Brown's first season in New York has been tainted by an ailing back and an embarrassing tantrum in which he punched a clubhouse wall and broke his non-throwing hand. That was Sept. 3, and Brown pitched just twice more after that.

The Yankees were angry about his outburst, but he apologized a few days later. And because of his intensity and experience, Brown's teammates were plenty confident when he took the mound for this ultra-important game.

Brown showed no signs of health problems. Against 23 batters, he threw 22 balls and didn't walk anyone. A first-inning home run by Jacque Jones was the only one of eight hits allowed that did any damage.

The Yankees showed they can do more than hit the long ball.

Jorge Posada, John Olerud, Miguel Cairo, Kenny Lofton and Jeter hit consecutive two-out singles in the second inning, putting the Yankees in front 3-1 and muting the crowd of 54,803.

"Those are the type of hits you've got to get - two-out hits," Jeter said. "Playing on the road, you want to take the crowd out of it."

Silva failed to get an out in the sixth, allowing 10 hits and six runs.

Jeter bounced a single to center off rookie Jesse Crain with two outs in the sixth to drive in Posada and Olerud and make it 7-1.

Minnesota scored three times in the ninth, but Mariano Rivera got three straight outs after entering with the bases loaded. It was not a save situation for Rivera.

The Twins had their chances against Brown, but Michael Cuddyer left four runners on base in his first two at-bats and Jones grounded into a double play in the third.

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