He still managed to do pretty well against a banged-up Rocket.

Suzuki had three hits off Clemens to equal another record, Felix Hernandez pitched seven sharp innings and the Mariners beat the New York Yankees 7-1 today in the opener of a crucial series.

"I was very anxious. The first time in my seven-year career that I thought I might say something mean to Carl Hamilton, our video coordinator," Suzuki cracked.

Clemens (6-6) allowed eight hits and five runs in four innings, and left to get an MRI exam 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 it beat Texas 4-2 on Aug. 24.

"I can sleep tonight," manager John McLaren said. "That's a start."

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 to raise his career average against the right-hander to .217 (5-for-23).

"Two-hundred hits is always special for me, no matter what the situation," Suzuki said through a translator. "But I did have the plus also today of getting a win after nine consecutive losses and getting it off of Roger 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 first relief appearance.

"It's just fun to go out and pitch again," said Mussina, who last started Aug. 27 against Detroit. "If I didn't get in today, I don't know when I was going to get in."