(Sports Network) - The New York Yankees have evened their record at 16-16 thanks to back-to-back wins over Seattle, and they now aim for a three-game sweep of the Mariners at Yankee Stadium today.

The Yankees started off their current nine-game homestand in unwanted fashion, as the Bronx Bombers lost all three meetings with the Detroit Tigers prior to this set.

Currently, New York is three games back of Boston in the AL East standings, while Seattle trails the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by 5 1/2 games.

On Saturday, Mike Mussina tossed six strong innings to lead the Yankees to a 6-1 win. Mussina (4-3) scattered seven hits, allowing one run while fanning five with no walks.

Derek Jeter had three hits, while Johnny Damon went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and two doubles, scoring three times for the Yankees, who last swept the Mariners in a three-game set in the Bronx from May 9-11, 2005.

Felix Hernandez (2-2) was roughed up for six runs on 12 hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out three and walking three for the Mariners, who have lost a season- high four straight, and seven of nine overall.

Ichiro Suzuki went 2-for-4, driving in Seattle's lone run with an RBI single in the third.

Seattle's Carlos Silva has been outstanding this season, and he will attempt to improve his 3-0 record and 2.79 ERA today. Silva has pitched into the seventh inning in five of his six starts and did not figure in the decision against Cleveland on Tuesday despite allowing a mere two runs in seven innings.

The big righty is 1-2 lifetime against the Yankees with a 7.59 ERA with 34 hits allowed in 21.1 innings.

Darrell Rasner has been chosen by the Yankees to replace Phil Hughes in the rotation following an injury to the promising young hurler. Rasner was a stellar 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA through five starts at Triple-A, and the 27-year- old will have the obvious advantage of pitching in front of a supportive Yankee Stadium crowd today.

Rasner has never faced Seattle.

These teams split 10 meetings last season, with the Yankees winning four of the seven encounters held in the Bronx. Seattle is just 4-11 at Yankee Stadium since 2005.