Jhonny Brito pitched a career-high 5 2/3 scoreless innings in a successful return to the majors, and the New York Yankees beat the Seattle Mariners 4-2 on Wednesday.
Backups Jake Bauers and Billy McKinney homered off Luis Castillo (4-6) as the Yankees won a series for the first time since Aaron Judge went on the disabled list. New York is 6-8 with Judge out of the lineup and hadn’t won a series since beating the Dodgers two of three in Los Angeles 2 1/2 weeks ago.
Rookie Anthony Volpe added his 10th home run in the seventh inning after nearly missing a home run in the third.
Recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre for his 10th career start and first since May 20, Brito looked like the pitcher who allowed a run in his first two starts after making the team in spring training. . Brito (4-3) allowed two hits, struck out three, walked one and reached the sixth inning for the first time as a starter. The only time Brito pitched in the sixth came on May 15 in Toronto when he was a great reliever.
Brito allowed a leadoff single to José Caballero and retired 12 straight before Jarred Kelenic singled to lead off the fifth. He left with a nice ovation after walking Julio Rodríguez.
Brito was also helped by Bauers’ glove for the final out of the first. Bauers robbed Teoscar Hernandez of a potential double by running as a runner and making a jumping catch in front of the right field fence.