Seattle, WA -- (Sports Network) - Brandon Morrow's first big league start was surely one to remember, as the right-hander came within four outs of a no- hitter, leading the Mariners to a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees.

Morrow, a 24-year-old who was making the 101st appearance of his career and 41st of the season, walked Hideki Matsui with one out in the eighth. Center fielder Wladimir Balentien then made an over-the-shoulder catch in front of the wall on a ball hit by Robinson Cano. Pinch-hitter Wilson Betemit, though, then lined hit to right field, beyond the outstretched glove of Ichiro Suzuki, to break up the no-hitter and shutout.

Justin Thomas then came in to replace Morrow (2-2), who ended up walking three batters and striking out eight.

Before Friday, the last major league appearance for Morrow came Aug. 3. The Mariners then sent the fifth overall draft pick from 2006 to the minors to make the transition to a starting role. Before this, he was a set-up man and temporary closer this season, compiling 10 saves.

"It was exciting," said Morrow. "I was nervous at first. Everything was good. I started getting tired at the end, my arm felt good, but physically I was exhausted."

Morrow was attempting to become the second pitcher in modern history to throw a no-hitter in his first major league start. He was also trying to become the first single pitcher to throw a no-hitter against the Yankees since Baltimore's Hoyt Wilhelm accomplished the feat Sept. 20, 1958. The Yankees were no-hit by six Houston pitchers on June 11, 2003.

Derek Jeter singled to lead off the ninth, the only other hit on the night for the Yankees. J.J. Putz settled down and retired the next three batters, getting Jason Giambi to foul out to third to end the game. Putz recorded his 11th save.

Yuniesky Betancourt, Kenji Johjima and Miguel Cairo knocked in the runs for Seattle, which snapped an eight-game skid versus the Yankees. The Mariners have won five of their last seven overall.

Andy Pettitte (13-12) lost his fifth straight decision at Seattle. The lefty gave up seven hits and three runs, and struck out nine against just one walk. He's now dropped five of his last six decisions.

"It seems like anything I do out there is not the right thing," said Pettitte. "I can't get a strikeout when I need one, I can't get a pop-out on the infield when I need one to save some guys out there. As a group, we're not getting it done."

The playoff hopes continue to fade for the Yankees, who have lost back-to-back contests and are now 8 1/2 games behind wild card leading Boston.

Seattle broke a scoreless contest in the third. Cairo led off with a double, moved to third on Suzuki's single and came around to score as Betancourt offered a sacrifice fly to center.

The M's tacked on two more runs the following inning. Balentien led off with a single and moved to third as Matt Tuiasosopo followed with his first major league hit -- a double to right field -- before Johjima clubbed an RBI single to left. Cairo then grounded into a force play, which plated Tuiasosopo.

Game Notes

Jeter has 2,515 hits, three behind Babe Ruth for second place in Yankees history. Lou Gehrig (2,721) is first...Bobo Holloman of the St. Louis Browns is the only pitcher since 1900 to throw a no-hitter in his first big league start, accomplishing the feat against the Philadelphia Athletics on May 6, 1953...Seattle's Adrian Beltre has an 11-game hitting streak.