Ah, what a fine old month June was for the Mariners, who finished it with a 15-10 record, a 2.98 earned run average and a .270 batting average.

Not surprisingly, Ichiro Suzuki led he way - batting .407 with 44 hits. If you're counting, that's 20 times Ichiro has had 40 hits or more in a month.

How rare is that? Well, the last American League player to do it was named Lou Gehrig.

The Mariners open July with a 39-37 record, 3 1/2 games behind the Angels in the American League West.

They open against New York, Jarrod Washburn vs. Andy Pettitte.

Time for the anthem!

The first threat

Ken Griffey Jr. and Franklin Gutierez singled to open the second inning - and never moved up a base.

That's becaus Pettitte set down Wladimir Balentien, Chris Woodward and Rob Johnson in order.

No score.

First score

Johnny Damon just missed the foul pole with a long drive for a strike. On a 3-2 pitch, Washburn came vack with a fastball and Damon hit it out to right field.

It was Damon's 15th of the season, and it put the Mariners behind again. They haven't had a lead in their two games here yet.

After three: Yankees 1, Mariners 0

Tie game

Seattle came right back in the fourth inning, when Jose Lopez doubled and took third on a fly ball by Ken Griffey Jr.

Proving he cannot get out of his own way, Balentien was then picked off first base by Pettitte.

It's gone - or is it?

Melky Cabrera hit a ball that hugged the foul line all the way into the stands, then watched it called a fair ball - home run.

The Mariners argued and the play was reviewed by the umpiring crew, which returned to the field and agreed with itself - home run!

Seattle is behind again.

After five: Yankees 2, Mariners 1

Just plain gone

With two outs, Junior turned on the first pitch Pettitte threw him and hit his 10th home run of the season.

No, he's no longer a cleanup hitter - although that's what he's is tonight - but Griffey seems to be emerging from a malaise at the plate. Two hits tonight, one of them a game-tying home run.

In the sixth: Mariners 2, Yankees 2

A-Rod hits A-homer

How quickly can a game turn? Mark

Teixeira singled to open the sixth and Alex Rodriguez then hit a knee-high fastball over the fence in center field.

Game changed.

After six: Yankees 4, Mariners 2

Where's the offense?

In 77 games this year, the Mariners have scored three runs or less 37 times - and won just 10 of those games.

The numbers don't lie. If Seattle doesn't improve it's offense, well-pitched games are going to get away all too often.

With weapons like Adrian Beltre and Endy Chavez now off the table, this team needs helps.

Final score: Yankees 4, Mariners 2