SEATTLE — 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 Rodríguez to score, but left fielder Jasson Domínguez muffed the catch and Seattle eventually added two unearned runs. Jorge Polanco added a sacrifice fly and Crawford's single capped the big inning.
