NEW YORK _ With his playing time greatly reduced this season, Jacoby Ellsbury has mostly become a late-inning defensive replacement or pinch-runner. When he has gotten chances to start, his lack of production hasn't done much to show he belongs in the lineup everyday.
So that's why his performance on Saturday stood out.
Ellsbury went 2 for 4 with a three-run home run to help lead the Yankees to a 6-3 win over the Mariners at Yankee Stadium.
Sonny Gray threw seven innings of one-run ball as he pitched his finest performance since the Yankees acquired from Oakland at the trade deadline.
Seattle scored twice in the eighth against Chasen Shreve and Tommy Kahnle _ both runs were charged to Shreve _ while Dellin Betances pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 10th save of the season.
The Yankees took an early lead as they scratched out a run in the second against Mariners starter Yovani Gallardo.
Starlin Castro and Greg Bird, who was activated from the disabled list before the game after being out since May 2, walked to start the inning. Chase Headley moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt.
Ellsbury then singled to left to drive in Castro. Bird attempted to score, but was thrown out at the plate.
The Yankees then scored three more runs in the fourth _ again courtesy of Ellsbury.
Bird singled with two outs and Headley walked. Ellsbury then homered into the right-field stands to put the Yankees ahead, 4-1.
The Yanks added to their lead when Starlin Castro hit a two-run single in the seventh.
A night after CC Sabathia gave the Yankees seven strong innings, Gray followed it up with a solid outing of his own.
The right-hander allowed just one run on three hits with two walks and nine strikeouts.
