Yankees one step closer to postseason after 11-2 win over Mariners

The Yankees' lineup scored 11 runs on 12 hits in their 11-2 win over the Mariners on Tuesday night in Seattle.

The win, combined with a loss to the Baltimore Orioles earlier in the evening, increased the Yankees' lead in the AL East to four games and their magic number to reach the postseason is now one.

Here are the findings…

It was the Aaron Richter showed his talent early in the game, hitting a two-run double in the first inning and then in the second inning, with the bases loaded and two outs — and trailing 1-2 — the Yankee captain hit a two-run single that put the Yankees up 4-0.

The second multi-RBI hit was achieved by two-out singles from Alex Verdugo And Gleyber Torres and a walk through Juan Soto. Judge finished the game with 2 for 4, one walk and four RBIs.

– Not to be outdone, Soto gave the Yankees some extra runs in the fourth inning with a two-run shot that flew 410 feet over the left-center field wall. Soto continues to have a career year offensively, recording his first 40-home run season.

He became the seventh-youngest player to hit 200 home runs and has now hit home runs in all 30 major league ballparks. Soto went 2 for 3 with two walks.

-The Yankees' offense was not so Jason Dominguez was in the game with his first home run of the season in the fifth inning. The young outfielder hit an 89 mph changeup from Bryan Woo to straight center field 414 feet.

Austin Wells scored the runs with a bases-clearing double in the sixth inning. Again, the big hit came with two outs after Soto and Judge had loaded the bases with walks.

Anthony Volpe was not in action on Tuesday with Oswaldo Cabrera This gave the struggling shortstop a chance. Cabrera finished the game with 2 for 5 and one RBI. He was one of four batters (Judge, Torres, Soto) to have multiple hits.

–Luis Gil was equal parts erratic and lucky in the first inning, walking two and hitting a batter to load the bases before Luke Raley to jump out, but then the Mariners' Victor Robles inexplicably tried to steal home at a 3-0 count to Justin Turner when Gil's back was turned. Gil quickly threw to Wells, who made the tag, and the Yankees escaped the inning.

But the rookie right-hander just didn't have it, struggling through five innings and trying to limit as much damage as possible. The Mariners' only run against him was a Jorge Polanco Solo hit in the second inning.

Gil struck out five, threw 91 pitches (55 strikes), allowed one run on four hits and three walks, and struck out five times.

–Aaron Boone said that Marcus Stroman was available out of the bullpen after missing his rotation, and the Yankees captain inserted him. Stroman pitched the final three innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out two batters, earning his second career save (2014 with the Blue Jays).

Tim Mayza threw a scoreless sixth inning as a replacement for Gil.

MVP of the game: Juan Soto

This should really go out to the entire Yankees lineup, but Soto was there for every single one. Whether it was his home run or him being on the bases, he was there.

Highlights

What happens next?

The Yankees and Mariners continue their three-game series on Wednesday night, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 p.m.

Nestor Cortes (9-10, 3.90 ERA) hopes to continue his excellent streak of starts while the Mariners Bryce Miller (11-8, 3.12 ERA) to the mound.