Gleyber Torres, Domingo German power Yankees over Rays | Rapid reaction

Rookie sensation Gleyber Torres hit a three-run go-ahead homer, Domingo German struck out 10 and the bullpen was lights out in a 4-3 win over the Rays at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night.

THURSDAY — Gleyber Torres crossed home plate and put a finger over his lips.

Shut up, he was telling someone.

Fine. There aren’t many new ways to describe what he’s doing anyway.

Torres’ towering three-run home run put the Yankees ahead for good in the fifth inning of a 4-3 win over the Rays at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night.

It was another highlight in a rookie season bursting at its seams with them.

It was another moment Torres proved he should not just be in the American League Rookie of the Year conversation, but maybe for MVP, too, if he keeps this up.

Torres’ blast — in a full count against lefty Ian Snell — came against a 96-mph fastball Snell meant to leave at the knees but instead threw chest-high. Torres smoked it nearly to the second deck in left field.

It was his 13th homer of the year, far and away the most among AL rookies. He’s hitting .297 in 45 games since getting called up.

Torres supported right-hander Domingo German, who gave up a home run to Matt Duffy on the game’s first pitch and then settled down to strike out a career-high 10. He’s also had two nine-strikeout games this season.

German lasted six innings — his third-straight start he’s gone at least that long. He surrendered three runs, five hits and two walks. 

It was German’s first career win. He’s 1-4.

Aaron Hicks clubbed a solo shot on the first pitch of the fifth inning.

The Yankees’ bullpen shut down the Rays for the final three innings. Chad Green, Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman each pitched scoreless innings. Chapman got his 19th save in 20 tries.

What it means

The win was the Yankees second in four games. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games. The win brought them into a tie with the Red Sox for first place in the American League East. Boston was set to face the Mariners in Seattle later in the night.

The Yankees improved to 44-20, their .687 winning percentage the best in baseball. It’s the latest in a season they have had sole possession of baseball’s best record since the end of play on July 27, 2012, when they were 60-39.

Blow by blow

The Yankees went down, 2-0, when Wilson Ramos singled to left field in the third inning to score Johnny Field. The one-hopper to left fielder Giancarlo Stanton caromed off his glove and skipped a few feet in front of him. But Stanton recovered to end the inning by throwing out Matt Duffy at home.

In the sixth, catcher Gary Sanchez — playing for the first time after getting the last two days off — dropped a foul pop up with one out and a runner on base. it extended the inning and Joey Wendle drove in Jake Bauers with a two-out single.

You should know

Torres tied Mickey Mantle (1951) for the fourth-most homers by a Yankee in his age-21 season or younger, according to researcher Katie Sharp.

Eight of his homers have either given the Yankees a tied or the lead.

Giancarlo Stanton heard more boos, going hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts. Sancehz went 0-for-2 with two walks and a run scored. 

The Yankees started an all-righty lineup vs. the lefty Snell, who lasted five innings, giving up four runs and four walks while striking out eight.

Injury report

After sending starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka home with an ear infection on Wednesday, the training staff told him to stay home Thursday. He’s expected to return to the team Friday. 

Next

Friday: Yankees righty Jonathan Loaisiga (MLB debut) vs. Rays righty Nathan Eovaldi (1-1, 3.94 ERA) at 7:05 p.m. at Yankee Stadium.

Saturday: Yankees righty Luis Severino (9-2, 2.27 ERA) vs TBD Rays pitcher. 

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.