Mariners get to Clemens

Ichiro Suzuki had three hits off Roger Clemens to equal another record, Felix Hernandez pitched seven sharp innings, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Yankees, 7-1, in New York yesterday.

Clemens (6-6) allowed eight hits and five runs in four innings, and left to get an MRI on his balky right elbow before the clubhouse opened after the loss.

"First three innings it was a manageable situation for him and then it started to tighten up," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "Hopefully it's just something that needs a little rest."

Seattle ended its season-worst nine-game losing streak and trimmed New York's wild-card lead to one game, winning for the first time since Aug. 24.

Suzuki homered in the third inning to reach 200 hits for the seventh consecutive season, tying the AL mark held by Wade Boggs (1983-89). He also singled twice against Clemens.

Alex Rodriguez had a broken-bat RBI single in the first for New York, which has lost three of its last four. Mike Mussina pitched 3 2/3 innings in his first relief appearance in 499 regular-season games, setting the major league record for most starts to begin a career before a relief appearance.

Indians 5, Twins 0 - C.C. Sabathia threw eight shutout innings to lead visiting Cleveland over Johan Santana and Minnesota again, helping the Tribe extend its lead over the defending division champs to 10 1/2 games.

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

Ryan Garko homered, and each of the three batters walked by Santana scored. The lefthander 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.

He is 4-1 against the Twins this year.

Angels 9, Athletics 5 - Ervin Santana pitched two-hit ball over 6 1/3 scoreless innings for his first win since June 9 for host Los Angeles.

Devil Rays 9, Orioles 7 - Carlos Pena hit his team-record 35th homer, a tiebreaking two-run drive in a three-run seventh that helped Tampa Bay overcome a four-run deficit to beat visiting Baltimore.

Royals 8, Rangers 1 - Zack Greinke allowed five hits in five shutout innings for his first win as a starter since April and Ross Gload homered for visiting Kansas City.

Padres 10, Diamondbacks 2 - Greg Maddux extended his streak without a walk to 49 1/3 innings and won for the first time in Phoenix as San Diego routed Arizona to take a one-game lead in the NL West.

Brian Giles hit two of the Padres' five home runs, and Geoff Blum, Adrian Gonzalez, and Kevin Kouzmanoff also connected for the Padres, who have beaten the Diamondbacks four times in five games over the last eight days.

Braves 5, Phillies 1 - Lance Cormier did not give up a homer for the first time in seven starts, and Brian McCann hit a two-run double in host Atlanta's three-run fourth.

Cormier (2-4) had given up 13 homers in 32 innings before yesterday.

Dodgers 11, Cubs 3 - In his Dodgers debut, Esteban Loaiza outpitched Carlos Zambrano, helping visiting Los Angeles stay within four games of the NL West lead.

Loaiza allowed three runs in seven innings and James Loney backed him with three RBIs. Loaiza was claimed off waivers from Oakland Wednesday.

Pirates 11, Cardinals 0 - Ian Snell (9-11) threw seven scoreless innings to win for only the second time in 11 starts and Pittsburgh ended a five-game losing streak, routing Kip Wells and host St. Louis.

Jack Wilson matched a career high with four hits, including a two-run homer.

Astros 9, Brewers 7 - Host Milwaukee's bullpen coughed up a three-run lead in the eighth, with Houston rookie Hunter Pence hitting a two-run triple during the rally.

Rockies 7, Giants 4 - Chris Iannetta's two-run triple highlighted a seven-run third and Colorado opened a six-game homestand with a win; Rockies starter Jeff Francis (15-6) went 5 2/3 innings, giving up three runs and nine hits.

Nationals 6, Marlins 3 - Jason Bergmann (3-5) struck out nine and Wily Mo Peña homered to lead Washington at RFK Stadium.