Yankees want to secure playoff ticket in duel against Mariners

Juan Soto took the triple victory on Tuesday.

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

The Yankees (88-63) can at least secure a spot in the wildcard playoffs with a win when the series continues on Wednesday night in Seattle.

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

“Achieving another goal in my career is just a great feeling. All the work I put in and getting the results is really cool,” Soto said.

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

Soto and Aaron Judge were the third Yankees duo to hit 40 home runs in a season, joining Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig (three times between 1927 and 1931) and Mantle and Roger Maris (1961).

“It's an honor. It's hard to put into words. We're talking about baseball legends here,” said Judge, who scored four runs with a two-run double in the first inning and a two-run single in the second inning.

Jasson Dominguez also hit a home run for the Yankees, who extended their lead over Baltimore at the top of the American League East to four games. Right-hander Luis Gil allowed just one run in five innings.

Trailing 2-0, the Mariners had all the bases loaded in the second half of the first inning. Victor Robles was thrown out trying to steal home and the Yankees were able to pull away.

“Vic is undoubtedly an aggressive player. That's part of his game,” said Mariners manager Dan Wilson. “It's a situation where you have to know you're going to get through it.”

Robles, who reached base when he was hit by a pitch, left the game after the first inning with a bruised right hand. His availability for Wednesday's game is uncertain.

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

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

Cortes pitched five scoreless innings that day, giving the Yankees a 7-3 victory. Miller allowed five runs in six innings, Soto hit two home runs and Judge hit another.

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

Miller, who has allowed one earned run and recorded 11 strikeouts in his last two starts, is 0-2 with a 10.97 ERA in his two meetings with the Yankees.

–Field level media