NEW YORK -- Luis Gil presents a compelling argument for consideration as the American League’s Rookie of the Year, having stepped into the rotation in the aftermath of a spring injury to Gerrit Cole, then approximating the ace’s output for the better part of two electric months.

Yet if Gil does come away with hardware to display, his final start of the regular season will not appear on any highlight reels. Gil permitted a career-high four homers as the Yankees fell to the Pirates, 9-4, on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees can still secure the No. 1 seed, representing home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs, on Saturday if the Guardians lose to the Astros.

Gil was outshined by a strong contender for National League Rookie of the Year, Paul Skenes, who sliced through the Bombers in a pair of spotless innings. Skenes wrapped his debut campaign by striking out three, freezing Juan Soto and Jazz Chisholm Jr. looking at heat while getting Aaron Judge to wave at a sweeper.

Yasmani Grandal and Nick Gonzales hit solo homers off Gil in the second and fourth innings, respectively. Billy Cook added a two-run shot in the fifth, and Jared Triolo chased the right-hander with a two-run shot in the sixth.

Gil concluded his season with a 15-7 record and a 3.50 ERA in 29 starts, spanning 151 2/3 innings. Gil notched 171 strikeouts against 104 hits and 77 walks, limiting opponents to a .189 batting average.

The Orioles’ Colton Cowser and the Yankees’ Austin Wells are considered the other leading candidates for the AL Rookie of the Year Award.