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Sep 18, 2024 9:27 am

Yankees look to punch ticket to playoffs in clash vs. Mariners

Juan Soto

Juan Soto hit the trifecta on Tuesday.

His milestone home run helped the New York Yankees record an 11-2 win over the host Seattle Mariners.

The Yankees (88-63) can clinch at least a wild-card playoff berth with a victory when the series continues Wednesday night in Seattle.

Soto’s two-run blast off Mariners starter Bryan Woo in the fourth inning was his 40th homer of the season, the 200th of his career and gave him a home run in all 30 active major-league ballparks.

“To get to another goal in my career is just a great feeling. All the work that I’ve been putting in and get the results is really cool,” Soto said.

Soto became the seventh-youngest player to reach the 200-HR plateau, at 25 years and 328 days old. Only Jimmie Foxx (222), Eddie Mathews (222), Alex Rodriguez (216), Mel Ott (211) and Mickey Mantle (207) hit more before turning 26. Albert Pujols belted exactly 200 prior to his 26th birthday.

Soto and Aaron Judge became the third Yankees duo to hit 40 homers in a season, joining Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig (three times between 1927-31) and Mantle and Roger Maris (1961).

“It’s an honor. It’s tough to really put into words. Those are baseball legends you’re talking about,” said Judge, who drove in four runs with a two-run double in the first inning and a two-run single in the second.

Jasson Dominguez also homered for the Yankees, who extended their lead over Baltimore atop the American League East to four games. Right-hander Luis Gil allowed one run over five innings.

Trailing 2-0, the Mariners loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning. Victor Robles was thrown out trying to steal home and the Yankees pulled away.

“Vic is an aggressive player, no doubt. That’s part of his game,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “That’s a situation you have got to know you’re going to make it.”

Robles, who reached base when he was hit by a pitch, had to leave the game after the first inning with a contusion on his right hand. He availability for Wednesday’s game is uncertain.

Julio Rodriguez went 4-for-5 and Jorge Polanco and Luke Raley hit solo homers for the Mariners (77-74), who dropped five games behind Houston in the AL West and three back in the wild-card chase.

Wednesday’s pitching matchup of Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes (9-10, 3.90 ERA) and Mariners righty Bryce Miller (11-8, 3.12) is a rematch of a May 22 game at Yankee Stadium.

Cortes pitched five scoreless innings that day, earning the victory as the Yankees prevailed 7-3. Miller gave up five runs over six innings, with Soto hitting two home runs and Judge adding another.

Cortes, a former Mariner, has won his past four decisions, including one in relief. He’s 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA in five career appearances against Seattle, including four starts.

Miller, who has allowed one earned run and struck out 11 over his past two starts combined, is 0-2 with a 10.97 ERA in two matchups with the Yankees.

–Field Level Media

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