The Yankees were just one win away from capturing the American League East division, but a baserunning error by Gleyber Torres could have cost her the chance to do so.

Trailing 4-2 in the seventh inning, with runners on second and third base and two outs, Juan Soto hit a single into right field and scored a run, but Torres held on to third base. The throw from the outfield landed in the home base, but Adley Rutschman threw to second after Soto had successfully advanced.

Torres was then halfway to home base when shortstop Gunnar Henderson threw back to Rutschman, who involved the Yankees second baseman in a rundown.

Torres was eventually substituted, ending the Yankees’ threat.

“I was just trying to protect Soto,” Torres said after the game. “In that situation, you just have to protect him. I was a little late getting to home plate, I think I was a little late, and after that they ejected me.”

“He initially thought Juan might be out on second base, so he’s trying to protect him,” said manager Aaron Boone said. “It has to be a bluff or a sell-off and then it continues. That’s the equalizing run.”

The out on the basepaths also left Aaron Richterwho had hit his 56th home run of the season earlier in the game. The Yankees were only able to score one more baserunner in the last two innings before finally losing 5-3.

The game was also Torres’ sixth home game of the season, tying him with Tampa Bay for most games played in the Major Leagues. Yandy Diaz.

“Maybe it was just a little miscommunication, but he was rushing the whole time,” Judge said of the play. “I think he was going for the point and he got the stop sign and he was just in no man’s land. At the end of the day, that kind of thing shouldn’t happen. We can’t keep shooting ourselves in the foot by making mistakes like that on the running routes. But it happened and we have to move on and get ready for tomorrow.”

“I have to be a little more aggressive,” Torres said. “When I make that decision, I have to go right out and steal the run. That was my mistake, and I just have to be ready for tomorrow.”

The fumble overshadows Torres’ great performance at the plate for the Yankees. He finished 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI in Tuesday’s loss.

In his last seven games, Torres has batted 12-for-33 (.364), had one home run and four RBIs, and reached base safely in 22 of his last 23 games. He’s done all of that while becoming the leadoff hitter the Yankees have lacked for most of the season.

Since moving to the leadoff position on August 16, Torres has a batting average of .320/.392/.463 with five home runs, six doubles and 18 RBIs. To make up for Tuesday’s crucial mistake, Torres will need to keep hitting and help the Yankees win one more game and clinch the division.

The Yankees have another chance against those same Orioles on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.