New York Yankees 3 — Los Angeles Dodgers 0
Kuroda and Kershaw hold it down but one bullpen falls in tonight’s 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In what might be the best pitching matchup of the season, Hiroki Kuroda started for the Yankees and Clayton Kershaw started for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The expectations were met perfectly by these two stellar pitchers.
Hiroki Kuroda allowed two hits through the first six innings. In the seventh inning, Kuroda faced the most trouble he faced all game. It could have been worse too. Hiroki Kuroda gave up a leadoff single to Adrian Gonzalez but he would be thrown out at second by rightfielder Vernon Wells on an ill-advised attempt at a double. After striking out Hanley Ramirez, Andre Ethier and A.J. Ellis hit back-to-back singles. With two outs, Hiroki Kuroda would strikeout Skip Schumaker with a splitter and let out a rare show of emotion with a fist pump, clearly energized from the return to Los Angeles and competing in an outstanding game.
It was amazing from the other side too.
Clayton Kershaw allowed three hits through the first seven innings of his start. Kershaw faced a minor threat in the eighth inning. After getting two outs, Chris Stewart got a single. Melky Mesa would be called on for a pinch-hitting spot against Kershaw and would succeed. Melky Mesa singled to put two on with two outs. Brett Gardner would fly out to center field and Clayton Kershaw matched Hiroki Kuroda, pitch for pitch and out for out.
Hiroki Kuroda allowed no runs on five hits with one walk and eight strikeouts through seven innings.
Clayton Kershaw allowed no runs on five hits with no walks and five strikeouts through eight innings.
Pitching gems.
In the eighth inning, Boone Logan relieved Kuroda. He gave up a leadoff single and Kershaw moved the runner to second with a bunt. Carl Crawford would fly out to left field and the Yankees chose not to pitch to the slugging Yasiel Puig. After the intentional walk, Adrian Gonzalez flew out to center field and the score remained tied at zero.
The Dodgers would attempt to match zeroes from the bullpen too.
Ronald Belisario started the ninth inning. He led off the inning by walking Derek Jeter. Eduardo Nunez would come in as a pinch-runner but would be erased on a force out at second. Cano would move to second base on a ground out by Alfonso Soriano and then the wheels started turning. Ichiro Suzuki would come in to pinch-hit for Vernon Wells but he would be intentionally walked.
Lyle Overbay would come in as a pinch-hitter for Brent Lillibridge and Dodgers manager Don Mattingly would bring in left-hander Paco Rodriguez to counter the move. Strictly on curveballs, Rodriguez got Overbay to swing at the first one and was unable to check swing on the second one. Down 0-2 in the count with two outs, Overbay would check swing at a third curveball but third base umpire, Bill Miller did not call a third strike on Overbay. This would be huge as the fourth curveball would be hit to centerfield and the Yankees would score.
1-0 Yankees got the lead.
Jayson Nix was the next batter and he hit a shallow fly ball to right field. Second baseman Mark Ellis was put in the game to start the inning for defensive reasons. Rightfielder Yasiel Puig and Mark Ellis were making a run at the shallow fly ball. It appeared that Puig was calling for the play but Ellis stayed on course and the fly ball would bounce off his glove. The two-run error put the Yankees ahead by three and the save opportunity was all setup.
Mariano Rivera would start the ninth inning by striking out Hanley Ramirez swinging. Andre Ethier would be called out on a back-door cutter. Then A.J. Ellis would ground out and Mariano Rivera finished off the game. He got his 34th save.
Lyle Overbay was the offense of this series. He brought in the two runs for the Yankees yesterday. He brought in the game-winning run of tonight’s game too.
In July, Hiroki Kuroda had five starts and had three wins but also had two no decisions. He had a 0.55 ERA. He allowed two earned runs in his last five starts. That is outstanding, unfortunate that he didn’t get the wins.
Win – Boone Logan (3-2)
Loss – Ronald Belisario (4-6)
Save – Mariano Rivera (34)
Notables
Yankees
*Lyle Overbay – 1 for 1, R, RBI (46)
*Hiroki Kuroda – 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
Dodgers
*A.J. Ellis – 2 for 4
*Clayton Kershaw – 8 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 5 K
Current Yankees Record: 56-51
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