MLB: New York Yankees 4, Seattle 2

SEATTLE, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Mark Teixeira put New York in front with a ninth-inning homer Friday, and the Yankees defeated Seattle 4-2 for their fourth straight win.

The Mariners scored twice in the opening inning and produced only four more hits the rest of the way against four New York pitchers.

Jerry Hairston's fielder's choice grounder in the second produced a New York run, and the Yankees tied it in the sixth on an RBI single by Derek Jeter.

It remained 2-2 until the ninth, when Teixeira homered to right on the third pitch of the inning from Mark Lowe (1-4).

New York got another run when Robinson Cano doubled with two away and scored on a single by Nick Swisher.

The Yankees remained 6 1/2 games in front of Boston in the American League East.

Phil Hughes (5-3) worked the eighth inning to get the win, and Mariano Rivera turned in a perfect ninth for his 34th save.