Hiroki Kuroda (AP)
DYNAMIC DUO: Derek Jeter, making a diving catch (above), and Hiroki Kuroda, who pitched seven scoreless innings, helped lead the Yankees past the Dodgers last night in Los Angeles, 3-0. (Getty Images)
DYNAMIC DUO: Derek Jeter, making a diving catch, and Hiroki Kuroda (inset), who pitched seven scoreless innings, helped lead the Yankees past the Dodgers last night in Los Angeles, 3-0. (Getty Images, AP)
LOS ANGELES — They danced with the Phillies about Michael Young and took calls from the Braves concerning Phil Hughes.
Ultimately, the Yankees’ lone acquisition before Wednesday’s trade deadline turned out to be Alfonso Soriano, who they got from the Cubs last Friday.
And for the second consecutive night the Yankees could have used another bat but Hiroki Kuroda, Boone Logan and Mariano Rivera compensated for the lack of hitting in a thrilling 3-0 victory over the Dodgers in front of a sold-out Dodger Stadium crowd of 53,013 that produced a “Let’s Go Yankees’’ chant in the ninth and cheers for Mariano Rivera strolled out of the bullpen.
Kuroda’s lack of support continued. In his last six starts in which he is 3-1 the Yankees have scored 15 runs and two of them last night were unearned.
In seven shutout innings Kuroda allowed five singles, walked one and fanned eight. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw went eight frames, didn’t allow a run or a walk and struck out five.
“The Dodger lineup is good and I tried to be careful,’’ Kuroda, a former Dodger, who lowered his ERA to 2.38. “My splitter was really [working] well.’’
Pinch-hitter Lyle Overbay’s two-out, two-strike single off lefty Paco Rodriguez in the ninth scored Robinson Cano from second with the game’s first run. Two more scored when second baseman Mark Ellis was bumped by right fielder Yasiel Puig while trying to catch Jayson Nix’ pop in short right.
“You have to make sure he doesn’t throw the fastball,’’ Overbay said of the slider-throwing Rodriguez. “You know he is going to try and throw the slider but he can sneak a fastball by you.’’
Later in the inning, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly was ejected l for arguing an Overbay check swing call after making a pitching change .
Presented with gifts by the Dodgers before the game, Rivera recorded the final three outs for his 34th save.
According to general manager Brian Cashman, being a season-high 8 1/2 games out of first place in the AL East didn’t play a role in his decision to not make a move. Nor did the cloud of uncertainty hanging over Alex Rodriguez’ s head.
“We are 3 1/2 games out of the postseason because of the wild card situation,’’ Cashman said of the deficit before the win. “Eight and one-half games, I am not looking at it as much as 3 1/2 for the wild card spot right now. If we get closer to the division then that will become more important. Being 3 1/2 in the wild card is something that is more obvious from a discussion point.’’
Cashman made it clear he isn’t conceding the AL East to the Rays, Red Sox or Orioles
“You have to walk before you can run and right now we are closer to the wild card than the division,’’ Cashman said. “I didn’t say we can’t win the division but right now if someone says 8 1/2 I will say 3 1/2.’’
Wednesday night’s victory combined with the Orioles 11-0 loss to the Astros moved the Yankees within 2 1/2 games of the second wild-card spot. The Bombers remained 8 1/2 games behind the first-place Red Sox, who defeated the Mariners, 5-4.
The Yankees hope to add Curtis Granderson’s home run power to the lineup in a couple of days and Cashman talked yesterday about getting Alex Rodriguez back soon.
Cashman said Granderson, who is on the disabled list because of fractured left pinkie, could come off the DL tomorrow in San Diego.
As for Rodriguez, Cashman directed all suspension and Biogenesis talk to MLB offices but is planning on having Rodriguez soon.
“I think Friday for activation on Granderson and hopefully Alex will be back shortly thereafter,’’ Cashman said.
There were conflicting reports about whether Young waived his no-trade clause. However shortly after noon yesterday the Phillies backed off their efforts to reach a deal with the Yankees, and Hughes to the Braves never got traction.