MLB

Yankees’ ace Kuroda, bullpen shut out Rangers for series split

BIG STOP: Brent Lillibridge (inset) makes a tough play to help Hiroki Kuroda (above) and the Yankees to a 2-0 victory over the Rangers yesterday. The win was Kuroda’s 10th of the season. (AP (inset))

ARLINGTON, Texas — He has been the ace and because of the big dollars and several years remaining on a contract the Yankees have their fingers firmly crossed CC Sabathia will return to that status.

Yet, there is no denying Hiroki Kuroda has taken over the prestigious role of Yankees top starter.

“By far,’’ Sabathia said when asked if Kuroda was the Yankees’ premier pitcher. “He has been lights out.’’

Kuroda didn’t require Sabathia’s endorsement after hurling the Yankees to a 2-0 victory yesterday over the Rangers in front of 35,193 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Working in the blazing Texas heat which delivered a game-time temperature of 91 degrees that increased as the day progressed, Kuroda provided seven shutout frames, gave up six hits, one walk and fanned three.

“This guy has been something for us,’’ said Mariano Rivera, who worked a scoreless ninth for his 33rd save. “To pitch the way he did today in that heat.’’

The victory allowed the Yankees to split a four-game series with the Rangers and return to The Bronx having won three of seven on the road trip that opened in Boston, where the Yankees dropped two of three.

“It’s not what you want,’’ manager Joe Girardi said of the 3-4 record. “It’s better than 2-5.’’

There is no argument Kuroda is the Yankees’ best starter. The same could hold true among AL hurlers. In four July starts he is 3-0 with a 0.69 ERA.

Overall, the 38-year-old right-hander is 10-6 with a 2.51 ERA.

Though they won’t publicly admit it, every Yankees starter understands runs are going to be a premium from a lineup that housed Brent Lillibridge (hitting second), David Adams, Melky Mesa and Austin Romine yesterday.

Nevertheless, Kuroda made the most of Romine’s three-hit, two-double game and Lillibridge’s RBI double in the sixth that accounted for the game’s first run and hung a loss on Derek Holland, who threw a two-hit shutout at the Yankees on June 27 at Yankee Stadium. Eduardo Nunez drove in the other run in the eighth on a fielder’s choice grounder.

“He knows how to pitch and he has the ability to pitch in close games,’’ Sabathia said of Kuroda.”We get a lead he keeps it. He has been lights out for us.’’

Oddly, Kuroda wasn’t overly impressed with the masterpiece.

“I didn’t think in the beginning I pitched very well,’’ he said.

He left two on in the third and two more in the sixth when Vernon Wells made a sliding catch on A.J. Pierzynksi’s liner to left for the final out.

Before facing the left-handed Pierzynski, Kuroda was visited on the mound by Girardi.

“I wanted to know what he had left,’’ the manager said. “He said he felt good and I said, ’Go get them.’ ’’

Pitching has been the reason the Yankees haven’t been flushed completely out of the postseason picture.

The lineup is close to getting Derek Jeter back soon and Alfonso Soriano might add some muscle to it. Alex Rodriguez won’t be back until next month — if at all — so counting on him wouldn’t be wise.

That leaves the onus on a rotation that used to be called CC & The Question Marks, but is now fronted by Kuroda who looks very comfortable sitting in the lead chair.