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Seattle Mariners

Masahiro Tanaka shines, Gleyber Torres and Andrew McCutchen homer as Yankees blank Mariners

New York Yankees’ Andrew McCutchen is greeted in the dugout Friday after he hit a two-run home run during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners in Seattle. (Ted S. Warren / AP)
New York Yankees’ Andrew McCutchen is greeted in the dugout Friday after he hit a two-run home run during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners in Seattle. (Ted S. Warren / AP)
Associated Press

SEATTLE – Masahiro Tanaka struck out 10 over eight innings, Gleyber Torres and Andrew McCutchen each hit a two-run homer and the New York Yankees beat the Seattle Mariners 4-0 on Friday night.

Tanaka (11-5) allowed three hits and no walks. He is 7-0 against the Mariners in his career and has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts.

The Yankees maintained their 3 1/2-game lead over Oakland for the top A.L. wild card and stayed 8 1/2 back of A.L. East-leading Boston. Seattle is 6 1/2 games behind the A’s for the final A.L. wild card.

Torres hit a two run-homer in the second inning, the rookie’s 23rd, to give the Yankees the lead against starter James Paxton (11-6). The home run came after Luke Voit hit a two-out single to left.

McCutchen added a two-run shot in the third for his first homer as a Yankee. He entered the game with one single in 16 at-bats in his first five games with the Yankees since coming over in the trade with the Giants.

Seattle was shut out for the fifth time this season. Every starter struck out at least once, with Mitch Haniger and Denard Span punching out twice.

Paxton allowed struck out eight over six innings.

Didi returns

The Yankees activated shortstop Didi Gregorius from the 10-day disabled list before the game and he entered as a defensive replacement in the sixth inning. He grounded out to second in his only at-bat.

Gregorius bruised his left heal on Aug. 19 and missed 16 games. He is hitting .269 with 22 home runs and 74 RBIs.

Trainer’s room

Mariners: Manager Scott Servais said LHP Marco Gonzales will come off the 10-day DL and start Tuesday’s game against the San Diego Padres. Gonzales, who was placed on the DL on Aug. 27 (neck strain) threw in the bullpen Friday. Servais said the Mariners will use a six-man rotation the rest of the season.