Jeter gets 2,997th hit but Yankees lose

CLEVELAND -- Joe Girardi's morning change of heart helped bring Derek Jeter a step closer to his 3,000th hit.

Jeter went 1-for-3 with a walk in the Yankees' 5-3 loss to the Indians Wednesday night at Progressive Field, so he returns to the Stadium Thursday night three hits short of 3,000.

Everyone in the clubhouse, Girardi said after the loss, is looking forward to the four-game series against the Rays when, presumably, the historic hit will occur.

"He's three hits away, let's just hope he gets all three tomorrow,'' Girardi said. "I think it's going to be great. I think people have anticipated this for a while. I think people are pretty excited about it. We are. I know we are in the dugout for him to get it done.''

Jeter, looking to become the first player to get his 3,000th hit in a Yankees uniform, said he figures on an electric atmosphere.

"Our fans have always been pretty good when they have an opportunity to witness something that hasn't happened before,'' said Jeter, 3-for-13 since coming off the disabled list Monday. "They care a lot about the history of the organization, so I would anticipate them being pretty animated. I don't know, but I would think it would be kind of fun.''

As for resting Jeter, something Girardi said Tuesday was all but certain to happen this week, the manager changed course. Now there likely isn't going to be any rest until Jeter gets No. 3,000.

SEE PHOTOSDerek Jeter timeline

"You want to give him every opportunity to get this done before the All-Star break,'' Girardi said. "I would love to see it get done by this weekend. If that's what we have to do, that's what we have to do.''

Jeter had one of the three hits the Yankees managed against Justin Masterson. Armed with a darting mid-90s fastball and a killer sinker, the former Red Sox righthander pitched eight innings of shutout ball. The Yankees, trailing 5-0 in the ninth, scored three runs off Vinnie Pestano before Chris Perez finished them off for his 21st save.

Jeter came in 5-for-12 lifetime against Masterson (7-6, 2.66 ERA) and was 0-for-2 before doubling over rightfielder Austin Kearns with one out in the eighth.

"I was happy with my at-bats today,'' Jeter said.

Phil Hughes, making his first start since April 14, pitched in and out of trouble and, overall, was not happy with his outing.

The 25-year-old righthander, who had been on the DL with right shoulder inflammation, allowed two runs and six hits in five innings. He allowed both runs in the first. Hughes struck out two, walked two and hit two batters.

"I was able to escape out of there in a couple situations where they really could have gotten a big lead. So, positives, I guess I threw the ball OK with runners in scoring position,'' said Hughes, whose fastball velocity stayed steady, in the low-90s, throughout. "But other than that, it has to be better.''

Hughes' return was only a small part of Girardi's pregame meeting with reporters. The dominant topic was the manager's decision to start Jeter after strongly insinuating Tuesday night that the shortstop would have the night off. But Girardi said two conversations -- one in his office Tuesday night and one via text message later that night at the team hotel -- convinced him to change his mind.

"It came after we talked last night,'' Girardi said. "It kind of came to me . . . You start thinking about it. I have no idea what it's like to be him and I have no idea what it's like to be pursuing something like 3,000 hits. It just made me think more.''