CLEVELAND — Rafael Soriano and the New York Yankees dodged their way to an important win.
Curtis Granderson hit his 200th career homer and Soriano shook off getting hit on the side of his right hand by a line drive as the Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians, 4-2, Sunday.
“It feels fine right now,” Soriano said after getting struck in the ninth inning by a shot by Jason Kipnis that was headed right at his head. “It hit my glove or my hand, I’m not sure which one first.”
Soriano recovered to get the ball and make the out, then the right-hander retired the next batter, Asdrubal Cabrera, on a soft liner for his 33rd save in 35 chances since replacing the injured Mariano Rivera as closer.
The Yankees have battled injuries all year and after being swept in three games in Chicago, felt the Tampa Bay Rays closing in on their AL East lead.
“We’re really fortunate,” manager Joe Girardi said.
New York took two of three from the Indians to open a four-game lead on the idle Rays.
“These are important games down the stretch,” Girardi said. “We need wins and to win series. That’s the way to do it, win series.”
The Indians, meanwhile, keep losing. Kipnis had three hits and three stolen bases for Cleveland, which has lost nine of 10 and is 5-23 since July 26.
“We pitched OK, which made for a decent ballgame,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “That makes it easier to take than when you’re trailing by a ton of runs and it sucks the energy out of everybody.”
Nick Swisher had three hits as New York improved to 26-15 in series finales, including 10-5 in the deciding game of three-game sets.