Yankees' late show stuns Arizona

The Yankees staged another stirring comeback

New York Yankees 3-2 Arizona Diamondbacks (12 innings)
(Yankees lead best-of-seven series 3-2)

The New York Yankees produced a stunning comeback to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 in game five of the World Series.

For the second night running the Yankees left it late to put themselves on the brink of winning the World Series championship.

Alfonso Soriano singled home Chuck Knoblauch for the winning run in the 12th inning.

His heroics came after Scott Brosius had hit a game-tying two-run homer with two out in the ninth inning.

Kim Byung-Hyun had a night to forget

It was the second time in two games that Arizona relief pitcher Kim Byung-Hyun had given up an equalising run when the Yankees were only one out from defeat.

There had been just six equalising ninth-inning homers in the first 567 World Series games, but the Yankees put together two in as many nights.

The 97th World Series shifts back to Phoenix for game six on Saturday and a possible seventh game on Sunday.

Left-hander Randy Johnson throws for Arizona in game six Saturday against Yankee star Andy Pettitte.

Curt Schilling faces New York veteran Roger Clemens on Sunday if needed.

Arizona's Kim, a 22-year-old conceded a lead-off double to Jorge Posada and allowing the Brosius homer to force the match into extra innings.

Had the Diamondbacks converted two outs when it mattered most, they might already own their first title.

Arizona inserted relief pitcher Albie Lopez in the 12th and Knoblauch tagged him for his first hit in the series.

Soriano's hit proved decisive

Brosius moved him into scoring position and Dominican rookie Soriano singled to left field to bring him home.

The Diamondbacks had their chance to win in the extra sessions.

Luis Gonzalez and Erubiel Durazo opened the 11th inning with back-to-back singles and advanced on a sacrifice ground out.

But Yankee second baseman Soriano made a diving catch off a Steve Finley line drive to deny the Diamondbacks two runs and Reggie Sanders grounded out to third base to end the Arizona threat.

Finley, Batista and Rod Barajas were set to be an unlikely trio of heroes.

Finley and Barajas each hit a solo homer in the fifth to give Arizona to a 2-0 lead.

Barajas had two hits from three visits to the plate with a single and the homer, while Finley hit his first play-off homer in 113 appearances.

Dominican hurler Batista scattered five hits and struck out six to outduel Yankee starting pitcher Mike Mussina.

The Yankees extended their series-record home win streak to 10 games.

They are one game from taking their fourth consecutive crown and extending their record to 27 titles in 38 finals appearances.