A QUALITY HIRO
TORONTO — Hiroki Kuroda was looking at a deficit after his first pitch Wednesday night, but the veteran settled down quickly and gave the Yankees a quality performance to help salvage the series finale against the Blue Jays.
Kuroda allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks, striking out four to even his record at 5-5. Jose Reyes’ homer on Kuroda’s first pitch was the first long ball allowed by the righty in 191⁄3 innings over a three-start stretch.
He settled down over the next few innings as the Yankees scored four runs in the third to give him a lead.
“After we took the lead I tried to be more aggressive,” Kuroda said through his interpreter. “Pound the zone.”
Toronto sliced the lead to one in the fifth, but Kuroda worked into the seventh before watching the bullpen record the final eight outs.
“It was great to see him settle down and pitch really well,” Mark Teixeira said. “He’s been so good for us over the years, to give him a good lead early on was nice.”
THAT’S THE TICKET!
Tuesday night, Teixeira suggested fans should have gotten their money back after the Yankees and Blue Jays played a sloppy game that featured four errors and multiple mental gaffes.
Following the Yankees’ error-free 5-3 win Wednesday night, Teixeira wasn’t in as giving a mood.
“No refunds tonight,” Teixeira said. “Pay full price tonight.”
THIS IS 40
Derek Jeter might be unfazed by the fact that he’s turning 40 on Thursday, but Joe Girardi marvels at the Captain’s ability to play a demanding position such as shortstop on an everyday basis after so many years. “It’s pretty incredible, you just don’t see people do that every day,” Girardi said. “You don’t see people play until they’re 40. If they are, it’s usually in a different league.”
Jeter went 1-for-3 in the final game of his 30s, giving him a .321 average (18-for-56) over his last 14 games.
LEFTY ON THE MEND
CC Sabathia (knee) reported no problems after facing live hitters on Tuesday, leaving him lined up for a 45-pitch start Saturday for Class-A Tampa. . . . Catcher Peter O’Brien and RHP Luis Severino were chosen to represent the Yankees in the Futures Game during All-Star week.