Bud Norris gives the Dodgers even more to think about

2:53 AM ET

LOS ANGELES – As it turned out, Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium was as much of a Bud Norris showcase start as it was one for Chris Archer.

Billed as a game in which the Los Angeles Dodgers would be able to get an up-close-and-personal look at Archer — the Tampa Bay Rays starter they could end up making a deal for at the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline — Norris refused to be overlooked.

An Archer acquisition by the Dodgers could come at Norris’ expense; he wouldn’t necessarily be included in a deal, but might have to eventually vacate his rotation spot. Instead, Norris looked determined to leave his own impact Tuesday.

Taking the mound four days after offering 1⅓ innings of relief in a 16-inning loss at St. Louis, Norris showed how he can be a team player in multiple areas. He gave up just two hits over 6⅓ scoreless innings, leaving after walking a batter in the seventh inning and throwing 104 pitches.

The Dodgers supported Norris with just enough offense, and the bullpen white-knuckled its way to finishing off a 3-2 victory to open a brief two-game series and five-game homestand.

“You have to locate pitches, and it’s not easy,” Norris said. “I mentioned it after my last start: Once the ball leaves your hand you’re out of control of the play. I made some better pitches tonight, [Yasmani Grandal] did a great job behind the plate and the guys made the plays behind me. I was able to stay in a positive mindset and make pitches.”

Norris was not a high-profile acquisition for the rotation after Clayton Kershaw went to the disabled list with a lower-back issue. He resembled more of an innings-eater type who was on a bit of a hot …

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