The start of the game was delayed almost an hour by heavy rain and before it began Mariano Rivera was honored for his achievment of 500 career saves by being asked to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. He also threw the last pitch of the night as he earned his 19th save of the season and 501st of his career as the Yankees defeated the Mariners 8-5 in the opener of the series.
The Yankees jumped out to an early 3-1 lead but Joba was somewhat wild and Seattle was able to tie the score at three. A-Rod hit a mammoth home run in the seventh with one on to give the Yankees the lead back at 5-3. However, Brian Bruney was ineffective and gave the lead back as Seattle scored two runs to tie the score at five.
In the bottom of the eighth the Yankees struck for three with a double from Cabrera and a two run single from Jeter to make the score 8-5.
Mo was summoned in the ninth and made quick work of the Mariners. He got Ken Griffey, Jr. to ground to first unassisted for the first out. Mike Sweeney grounded to Jeter in the hole before Franklin Gutierrez struck out swinging to end the game.
Rivera is 1-2 on the season with 19 saves in 20 save opportunities and his season ERA now stands at 2.84.
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