Logan Gilbert snapped a six-start winless streak as the Seattle Mariners defeated the visiting New York Yankees 3-2 on Thursday afternoon.
The Mariners (78-75) salvaged the finale of the three-game series as they chase Houston in the American League West and Minnesota in the wild-card race.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered for the Yankees (89-64), who had clinched a playoff berth with a 2-1 victory in 10 innings on Wednesday night and lead the AL East.
The Yankees had a scary moment in the bottom of the seventh inning as right fielder Juan Soto made a sliding catch of a ball hit by Jorge Polanco and crashed into the wall in foul territory, banging his left knee. Soto stayed on the ground for a couple of minutes while being attended to by Yankees trainers and manager Aaron Boone and staying in the game.
Gilbert (8-11), who hadn’t won since Aug. 10, allowed two runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. The right-hander walked two and struck out nine.
Closer Andres Munoz struck out the side in the ninth to earn his 22nd save of the season.
Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt (5-4) allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits over five innings. The right-hander walked three and fanned seven.
The Mariners, who were limited to just three runs in losing the first two games of the series, matched that total in the first inning when they sent nine batters to the plate.
Julio Rodriguez lined a leadoff single to center and Randy Arozarena drew a one-out walk. Luke Raley reached on a bunt single as Schmidt couldn’t get a handle on the ball. Justin Turner hit a fly ball that left fielder Jasson Dominguez dropped, scoring the first run. Polanco hit a sacrifice fly to right and J.P. Crawford grounded an RBI-single to left to make it 3-0. Dylan Moore walked to re-load the bases before Josh Rojas grounded out to end the inning.
The Yankees pulled within a run in the third inning. Aaron Judge grounded a two-out single to left and Chisholm went deep to right-center on a 1-1 cut fastball from Gilbert.