NEW YORK -- The Yankees continue to gauge the market for available starting pitching, believing that they require additional help for a push toward the postseason. After an impressive look at Domingo German's electric arsenal, the Mariners may not agree with that assessment.
Supported by a quartet of homers, German struck out nine over seven dazzling innings to log the first back-to-back victories of his big league career, leading the Yankees to a 7-2 win over Seattle on Tuesday evening at Yankee Stadium.
"It's been a dream of mine to pitch in the big leagues, to open games and be a starter," German said through an interpreter. "I've had a lot of experience in the Minor Leagues to show the kind of starter that I could be. I trust in myself and just want to keep pitching. Hopefully I'll finish my career here with the Yankees."

New York (48-22) improved to a season-high 26 games over .500, as German did not permit a hit between Dee Gordon's double to open the first inning and Nelson Cruz's solo home run with one out in the seventh inning -- a span of 20 batters. The 25-year-old right-hander was so efficient, manager Aaron Boone said that he toyed with sending German back out to start the eighth inning.

"He's really talented," Boone said. "He's got three really good pitches. I think the question is, can he be a full-time starter? He continues, it seems like every outing, proving that he is capable of that. Whatever role he ends up in, I feel confident that he's going to be a really good pitcher in this league."

Seattle's other run off German in the brisk two-hour, 28-minute affair was of the unearned variety, coming on Mitch Haniger's first-inning fielder's choice. German did not issue a walk in the 96-pitch effort, his third consecutive start striking out at least nine batters.
"His curveball is ridiculous, and the changeup is really nice," Aaron Hicks said. "He was spotting it today. He was just attacking the zone and that's what he needs to do."

Seattle starter Marco Gonzales limited the Yankees to Giancarlo Stanton's first-inning homer, his 17th, through the first four innings. The Bombers broke through with a pair of two-run homers in the fifth, as Miguel Andujar hit his ninth and Hicks slugged his 10th.
Aaron Judge padded the Yanks' lead with a run-scoring single in the seventh off Nick Rumbelow, as Gonzales was charged with six runs and eight hits over 6 1/3 innings, snapping his six-start unbeaten streak. He walked one and struck out five.

Gleyber Torres capped the scoring with a solo shot in the eighth. A.J. Cole relieved German and fired scoreless, hitless ball over the final two innings, marking his first appearance since May 28 vs. Houston.
"Every time you go out there, you gain more experience, especially in this league," German said. "I think that gives you confidence."
SOUND SMART
Torres' 14th homer came in his 50th career game, matching Judge for the third-most through a player's first 50 career games in franchise history. Torres trails Gary Sanchez (19) and Kevin Maas (15). Since making his Major League debut on April 22, Torres leads all rookies in homers and RBIs (35).

"I think every day, I take more experience to every at-bat," Torres said. "I feel better every day. I just try to put the ball in play. I try to have good contact and look for my pitch and try to help my team."
YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Sanchez's fourth-inning lineout to left fielder Denard Span came off the Yankees catcher's bat at 121.1 mph, making it the hardest-hit ball in the Majors this season, according to Statcast™. It tied a 2017 Judge homer as the hardest-hit non-grounder ever tracked.

UP NEXT
Rookie right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will take the mound for his second big league start on Wednesday as the Yankees and Mariners continue their three-game series at 7:05 p.m. ET. The 23-year-old Loaisiga hurled five scoreless innings in his debut, limiting the Rays to three hits with four walks and six strikeouts. He'll face former Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez (6-6, 5.44 ERA).