Brown makes amends

MINNEAPOLIS — Kevin Brown already apologized to the New York Yankees for his foolish injury. This was an even better way to make up for it.

Backed by Derek Jeter’s three RBIs 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-5 A.L. 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. The Yankees, who rallied in the 12th inning to win Game 2 after Torii Hunter’s homer put them on the ropes, can eliminate the Twins in four games for the second straight year.

If Minnesota wins today, Game 5 is back in the Bronx on Sunday.

“We’re packing our suitcases,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

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 away from a bitter rematch with the rival Boston Red Sox in the A.L. 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 on Sept. 3, and Brown pitched just twice more after that.

The Yankees were angry about his outburst, but he cleared the air by apologizing 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 walked none. A first-inning home run by Jacque Jones was the only one of eight hits allowed that did any damage.