Yankees Outlast Dodgers Bullpen

The starting pitching duel was reason enough to tune into the classic matchup between the Yankees and the Dodgers. Neither team could get anything off the opposing starting pitcher until the Yankees got to the Dodgers bullpen in the ninth inning. Lyle Overbay delivered the big hit of the night, a game winning RBI single off lefty reliever Paco Rodriguez. Overbay had both Yankee RBI's last night and came up big off the bench tonight to deliver the Yankees a crucial win against the Dodgers. The Yankees would tack on two more runs on an error on the second baseman. Ichiro and Overbay both scored after the Dodgers intentionally walked Ichiro to face Jayson Nix. Nix popped up to second base but the ball came out of the fielder's glove, allowing both runners to score. Mariano Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to collect his 34th save of the year and the 642nd of his brilliant career. Rivera's mind-boggling numbers just put into perspective how amazing he is at his job.

Kuroda and Kershaw both threw up blanks. Kuroda pitched seven solid innings and allowed no runs. He struck out eight in the process and allowed only five hits and walked one batter. His seasonal ERA now stands at a minicule 2.38. Boone Logan came on in the eighth inning but escaped a jam with the potential winning run on second base. Rivera, as mentioned before, came into the game for the ninth with a three run lead and struck out two batters in the save.

Clayton Kershaw pitched even better than Kuroda, if that was even possible. Kershaw tossed eight scoreless frames, striking out five and walking none. Mattingly could have easily let Kershaw start the ninth because he was only at 97 pitches but instead he put the game in the hands of his bullpen who blew the game to the Yankees.

The Yankees will have a day off tomorrow before coming into Petco Field for three games against the Padres. Curtis Granderson is expected to be activated on Friday to give the Yankees even more depth in the outfield. With Granderson in the lineup, the Yankees bench could be a force to be reckoned with. The struggling Sabathia will pitch for the Yankees and Andrew Cashner will go for San Diego.