Sonny Gray, Jacoby Ellsbury Lead The Way As New York Beats Seattle

After an eleven inning game in a loss on Friday in the opener against Seattle, New York bounced back with a win Saturday to even the series at one a piece. 

 Sonny Gray relished his best start so far for the Yankees, as the man known as "Pickles" during the ongoing Players Weekend festivities fired seven innings of one-run ball in Saturday's 6-3 victory over the Mariners. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250738100/jacoby-ellsbury-hrs-in-yanks-win-over-mariners/

Gray allowed just three hits and struck out nine, and he is now 2-3 with a 2.70 ERA in five starts since being acquired from the A's in a July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline deal. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250738100/jacoby-ellsbury-hrs-in-yanks-win-over-mariners/

Jacoby Ellsbury (aka "Chief") went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs, Brett Gardner racked up three hits and Starlin Castro (aka "All-Starlin") provided a two-run single in the seventh. The Yankees improved to 69-59 and moved to four games back of Boston in the American League East, with the Red Sox hosting the Orioles later Saturday. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250738100/jacoby-ellsbury-hrs-in-yanks-win-over-mariners/

Backup catcher Carlos Ruiz (aka "Chooch") homered in the third and had two of Seattle's three hits off Gray, but the Mariners missed a chance to leapfrog the Twins into the second AL Wild Card position, as they dropped back to 66-64. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250738100/jacoby-ellsbury-hrs-in-yanks-win-over-mariners/

Seattle narrowed the margin with RBI singles by Kyle Seager (aka "Corey's Brother") and Guillermo Heredia (aka "El Conde") in the eighth, but Dellin Betances (aka "D.Dawg") closed things out in the ninth for his 10th save. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250738100/jacoby-ellsbury-hrs-in-yanks-win-over-mariners/

Veteran right-hander Yovani Gallardo (aka "Yo") lost his third consecutive start for Seattle, falling to 5-10 with a 5.78 ERA as he gave up four runs on four hits and five walks in 5 2/3 innings. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250738100/jacoby-ellsbury-hrs-in-yanks-win-over-mariners/

New York improves to 69-59 with the win while with the loss Seattle drops to 66-64.

New York is now 3.5 games back in the American League East in second place behind  Boston who is leading the division with a record of 73-56 after their loss to Baltimore Saturday by a score of 7-0. Meanwhile, Seattle is now 12.5 games back in the American League West in second place behind division leader Houston who has a record of 78-51.

Seattle and New York will finish up their three game series on Players Weekend Sunday at Yankee Stadium. Left -hander Andrew Albers will get the start for Seattle. He has a record of 2-0 with a 3.60 earn run average. Albers is 2-0 with a 3.60 earn run average through two starts. He has kept opposing hitters off balance with his repertoire of breaking balls. He threw 33 off speed pitches his last outing against the Braves. He will take on New York right -hander Masahiro Tanaka who has a record of 9-10 with a 4.86 earn run average. Tanaka had a solid outing in his return from the disabled list (shoulder inflammation) He allowed three runs over seven innings in Detroit, and manager Joe Girardi was happy with his slider as well as his velocity. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/mariners-vs-yankees/2017/08/27/492050#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492050

First pitch is set for 1:05pm. The game will be televised on Yes, RootNW and TBS.