09/19/24 07:05:00
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09/19 19:03 CDT Logan Gilbert reaches 200 Ks, Mariners stay on edge of playoff
race with 3-2 win over Yankees
Logan Gilbert reaches 200 Ks, Mariners stay on edge of playoff race with 3-2
win over Yankees
By TIM BOOTH
AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE (AP) --- Logan Gilbert allowed two runs pitching into the sixth inning
and reached the 200-strikeout mark for the season, J.P. Crawford had a key
two-out RBI single as part of Seattle's three-run first inning, and the
Mariners beat the New York Yankees 3-2 on Thursday.
Seattle salvaged the final game of the series and stayed on the fringes of the
playoff race, pulling within two games of Minnesota and Detroit for the final
wild-card spot in the American League ahead of a six-game road trip to Texas
and Houston.
"I don't think we're paying too much attention about what's ahead in terms of
the standings," Seattle manager Dan Wilson said. "I think we're looking at what
we need to do each night, each day. Today we needed to pick up a win. We did."
A day after clinching a postseason berth, the Yankees had their lead in the AL
East trimmed to four games after Baltimore's victory. They also received a
major scare from star outfielder Juan Soto in the seventh inning.
Soto slid into the short wall in foul territory down the right-field line while
making a highlight reel catch. After a lengthy visit from manager Aaron Boone,
athletic trainers and seemingly every one of his teammates, Soto remained in
the game and was shaking out his left leg.
The play was initially ruled a foul ball, but was overturned to a catch on
replay.
"I think him sliding the way he did served him well. My biggest fear was that
he twisted something and I think sliding like that preserved him a little bit,"
Boone said. "Banged his knee pretty good. We'll get X-rays just to make sure
but as of now looks like he'll be OK."
Seattle did all its damage in the first inning off Yankees starter Clarke
Schmidt, loading the bases with one out. Justin Turner hit a fly ball deep
enough for Julio Rodrguez to score, but left fielder Jasson Domnguez muffed
the catch and Seattle eventually added two unearned runs. Jorge Polanco added a
sacrifice fly and Crawford's single capped the big inning.
Schmidt (5-4) settled down after the rough first inning and allowed only two
hits over the next four innings. He struck out seven and walked three.
"The command wasn't there for sure. Obviously really happy with how we bounced
back after the first inning. The outing was a grind," Schmidt said.
Gilbert (8-11) struck out nine in his 5 1/3 innings and has 207 on the season,
becoming the ninth pitcher in team history to reach that mark. Andrs Muoz
pitched the ninth for his 22nd save.
Gilbert, who was bumped up by a day to throw against the Yankees, pitched with
traffic but avoided any big innings. He needed 45 pitches combined to work
through the fourth and fifth innings -- the latter of which included an extra
batter after a wild pitch strikeout allowed Jazz Chisholm Jr. to reach first
base.
Despite the busy basepaths, Gilbert's only mistake was Chisholm's 23rd homer, a
two-run shot in the third. He was also helped by Luke Raley throwing out
Domnguez trying to score from second base for the final out of the second.
"It felt like it was a big game, big series. Obviously a good team over there
and every game matters a ton for us. We really needed to win today. Just tried
to give us a chance," Gilbert said.
INJURY CONCERN
Yankees reliever Jake Cousins took over in the sixth but lasted only two
batters and six pitches due to tightness in his right pectoral muscle. He was
lifted striking out Rodrguez, and his velocity was down significantly on all
of his pitches.
"We don't think it's too severe," Boone said.
UP NEXT
Yankees: New York makes its last trip to Oakland on Friday with RHP Gerrit Cole
(6-5, 3.97) starting the opener against the A's.
Mariners: Seattle opens its final road trip in Texas on Friday against the
Rangers. RHP George Kirby (12-11, 3.62) starts the opener.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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