One night after recording only two hits in the opener in Safeco Field, the Yankees' lineup broke out for 7 runs and 12 hits as they defeated the Mariners by a score of 7-4. The Red Sox lost in Texas, so the Yankees are once again 7.5 games behind Boston for the A.L. wild card.

Sidney Ponson pitched five scoreless innings before being roughed up a bit in the 6th, in which a 3-run homer by Raul Ibanez put the Mariners ahead by a score of 3-2. Ponson finished the game with a line of 3 runs on 5 hits in 6 innings.

The Yankees bounced right back in the 7th and scored five runs, including a go-ahead, two-run triple by Bobby Abreu. Jason Giambi, Xavier Nady and Hideki Matsui also drove in runs in the inning and the Yankees went ahead 7-3.

The Mariners would get one back in the bottom of the 8th, courtesy of an RBI single by Ibanez off of Joba Chamberlain. Mariano Rivera was brought in with two outs in the 8th and retired four straight batters, recording his 33rd save in the process.

The Yankees will finish up their series in Seattle this afternoon before heading into Anaheim for a series with the Angels. Mike Mussina will be going for his 18th win, while the Mariners will send Carlos Silva to the mound, who is looking for his 5th. Game starts at 4:10 ET.