By The Associated Press

NEW YORK – Ichiro Suzuki and the Seattle Mariners put an emphatic end to their nine-game losing streak.

Suzuki had three hits to equal another record, Felix Hernandez outpitched a gimpy Roger Clemens and the Mariners beat the New York Yankees 7-1 Monday in the opener of a crucial series.

Seattle trimmed New York’s wild-card lead to one game, winning for the first time since it beat Texas 4-2 on Aug. 24. The Yankees have lost three of their last four.

Suzuki homered in the third inning to reach 200 hits for the seventh consecutive season, tying the AL mark. He also singled twice against Clemens (6-6).

The major league record for consecutive 200-hit seasons is eight by Willie Keeler (1894-01). Suzuki matched the AL mark held by Wade Boggs (1983-89).

Hernandez (11-7) allowed five hits over seven sharp innings in his first start in the Bronx. He struck out five and walked four to improve to 5-1 in his last eight starts.

The matchup between the 45-year-old Clemens and 21-year-old Hernandez (11-7) was the largest age difference between opposing starters since Charlie Hough started for Florida against Salomon Torres of the Giants on April 16, 1994.

Mike Mussina pitched 3 2-3 innings in his first relief appearance in 499 games, setting the major league record for most regular-season starts to begin a career before a first relief appearance.

Indians 5, Twins 0

MINNEAPOLIS – C.C. Sabathia threw eight shutout innings to lead Cleveland past Minnesota and extend its lead over the defending division champs to 101/2 games.

That’s the biggest deficit for third-place Minnesota during this disappointing year in which Johan Santana (14-11) dropped all five starts against Cleveland.

Ryan Garko homered, and each of the three batters walked by Santana scored. The left-hander gave up six hits and four runs in six innings, and he struck out three.

Sabathia (16-7) bested Santana for the second time in a week. He gave up six hits and one walk while striking out six. Sabathia allowed two runs or fewer for the ninth straight start.

He improved to 4-1 against the Twins this year.