NEW YORK -- Masahiro Tanaka is a candidate to start a one-game playoff for the New York Yankees. In the event he is unable to pitch because of a lingering hamstring injury, Luis Severino might be just as good an option.

Although the Yankees are reluctant to discuss anything related to the postseason until they officially clinch, Severino has pitched with the combination of poise and effectiveness to enter into the conversation.

The 21-year-old rookie right-hander did so again Sunday when he worked six scoreless innings during New York's 6-1 win over the Chicago White Sox.

"That's a hypothetical," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I think Tanaka is going to be fine, so that's not too much of a concern of mine. But he's pitched extremely well and we have a lot of confidence in him."

Yankees catcher Brian McCann said, "It's been impressive to watch, the whole package. What he does behind the scenes, the studying, the workouts, the work ethic and then he takes it on the mound and performs. So he's got everything you want in a starting pitcher."

In his 10th start since not getting traded at the non-waiver trade deadline and joining the Yankees on Aug. 5, Severino (5-3) allowed five hits while also getting three double plays.

He turned in his second career scoreless outing and is 5-1 with a 2.58 ERA in his last seven starts, though it includes a subpar start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sept. 11 when he allowed five runs in the first inning.

"Outstanding again," Girardi said. "You look at the last two starts after he had the tough one against Toronto and he's been really, really good."

The Yankees did not do much offensively while Severino was in the game. They went hitless in their first 13 at-bats with runners in scoring position until pinch-hitter Alex Rodriguez had an infield single in the seventh.

Severino had a 1-0 lead when McCann followed consecutive errors by Chicago first baseman Jose Abreu with a sacrifice fly. He got double plays on left fielder Melky Cabrera in the first and sixth while also getting one when right fielder J.B. Shuck was caught stealing second as third baseman Mike Olt struck out in the second.

Severino exited with a three-run lead after second baseman Dustin Ackley opened the sixth with his ninth home run of the season. After Ackley drove a 2-2 fastball from Chicago right-hander Erik Johnson (3-1) into the second deck of the right-field seats, right fielder Slade Heathcott scored on a passed ball by catcher Rob Brantly.

The Yankees went 3-for-19 with runners in scoring position and scored their other runs on RBI singles by center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury in the seventh and first baseman Greg Bird in the eighth and a sacrifice fly by Heathcott.

Severino's outing and the late insurance runs helped the Yankees lower their magic number to clinching at least a wild card spot to three. They remained four games behind the Toronto Blue Jays with seven games left.

Pinch-hitter Avisail Garcia homered against Justin Wilson in the seventh as Chicago was held to two runs or less for the 57th time.

Abreu had two of Chicago's seven hits but struck out for the final out of the eighth against Dellin Betances with the potential tying run on deck.

Garcia's home run came after Johnson allowed three runs (two earned) and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Johnson threw a career-high 121 pitches, though his outing was prolonged by consecutive errors from Abreu in the opening inning.

"It's just being more efficient with the way I approach the earlier innings, earlier contact in play," Johnson said. "Against a few hitters, I went pretty deep in some counts, which takes a lot out of you, especially when you need to go six, seven for your team."

Abreu also was charged with errors when he misplayed a grounder by left fielder Brett Gardner and made an errant underhand toss on a grounder by Beltran. McCann followed by lifting a sacrifice fly and the Yankees took a 1-0 lead into the sixth.

"You don't really see him do that too much, especially like those," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "It just started off and it didn't get any better."

NOTES: RHP Masahiro Tanaka (hamstring) threw on flat ground Sunday, and Monday he could do some running and fielding drills. The Yankees have not committed to a starter beyond Monday in case Tanaka is ready. If he is not ready to return by Thursday, it is likely he would pitch a tuneup inning before the regular season ends. ... OF Adam Eaton made his sixth start as Chicago's designated hitter and reached base safely for the 17th straight time. ... New York manager Joe Girardi said 2B Stephen Drew has been dealing with a cold and dizziness for about 10 days.