Of all the unthinkable events that could befall the Yankees in this final stretch run, an injury to Derek Jeter is probably the most unthinkable of all.

And yet, it happened in the eighth inning of tonight's game against the Red Sox when Jeter came up lame after grounding into an inning-ending double play.

Jeter had rolled the ankle last week in Tampa but continued to play on it, but after hobbling into the outfield -- he appeared to injure himself on the step after he crossed the bag -- Jeter agreed to leave the game after a brief conversation with Joe Girardi and head trainer Steve Donohue.

To see Jeter voluntarily leave a game was shocking enough, but considering all the injuries that have befallen the Yankees this season, and with Mark Teixeira still on the shelf with a calf strain, the loss of Jeter for any length of time could be the one blow the Yankees cannot overcome. More details after the game.