Mariners 6, Yankees 2: Kevin Millwood pitched seven strong innings to spoil Andy Pettitte’s return to the major leagues and help visiting Seattle avoid a three-game sweep.

Justin Smoak and Casper Wells each hit two-run homers for the Mariners.

Millwood (1-4), who first faced the Yankees as a member of the Atlanta Braves in 1998 and pitched against them in the 1999 World Series, showed off something close to his vintage form on Sunday. The veteran right-hander struck out six while holding New York to one run on three hits and four walks.

Pettitte (0-1) lasted 6 1/3 innings and was charged with four runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out two. The left-hander, who turns 40 next month, retired after the 2010 season but decided to make a comeback this spring.

Pettitte did not allow a hit until the fourth, when Smoak followed a two-out walk by Jesus Montero by pulling a 1-1 slider over the wall in left for his fourth blast.

Wells got to Pettitte in the sixth, following Dustin Ackley’s single with a homer to right, his first. Wells added an RBI infield single in the ninth as the Mariners grabbed a pair of insurance runs.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Montero, who came over in a trade from the Yankees last winter, went 2-for-10 with a homer in his first series against his old team. … The Yankees optioned reliever Cody Eppley to Triple-A prior to the game to make room for Pettitte. … Mariners SS Brendan Ryan went 0-for-3, dropping his average to .144.