Cabrera hits go-ahead double in 8th, Yankees beat Mariners 8-5 for 6th straight win

Cabrera hits key double in Yanks 8-5 win over M’s

NEW YORK — Melky Cabrera hit a go-ahead double in the eighth inning and Mariano Rivera tossed out the first ball — and threw the final pitch — as the New York Yankees beat the Seattle Mariners 8-5 Tuesday night for their sixth straight win.

Alex Rodriguez hit his 565th career homer and Cabrera drove in three runs. The Yankees won their ninth in a row at home over Seattle, a streak dating to 2007.

Major league batting leader Ichiro Suzuki got two hits and stole three bases for the Mariners.

After a 61-minute rain delay at the start, Rivera began the evening by delivering a ceremonial first pitch as the Yankees honored him for earning his 500th career save Sunday. Rivera fittingly closed it, pitching a perfect ninth for his 19th save in 20 chances.