SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle Mariners were right. Rickey Henderson still can play.

Henderson had a two-run single to back Paul Abbott's seven strong innings as the Mariners beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 4-3 Tuesday night.

"He gives us a very experienced leadoff guy," manager Lou Piniella said. "He's a guy who's had a heck of a career. Tonight, he gave us a big hit."

At 41, Henderson is past his prime, but he's still got something left. The Mariners, now eight games over .500 this season, are 15-10 with Henderson as their leadoff hitter.

"We need to start getting the big hits," Henderson said. "I guess I got one tonight. I'm just happy to be here."

Abbott (4-2) allowed a two-run homer to Gerald Williams in the fifth inning after the Mariners took a 4-1 lead with an unearned run in the third on shortstop Felix Martinez's throwing error.

The Mariners scored three runs in the second inning to beat Steve Trachsel (5-7) for the third time this season.

John Olerud doubled, John Mabry walked and Joe Oliver singled in Olerud to make it 1-0. After David Bell walked to load the bases, Henderson singled to center.

"I need a few more of those kinds of hits," said Henderson, who was signed by the Mariners last month after being released by the New York Mets. "When you get them, it's a plus for you."

Kazuhiro Sasaki got two outs for his 11th save in 13 chances. Sasaki put two runners on base before Ozzie Guillen popped out to end the game.

The Devil Rays scored a run in the third on a walk to Guillen, a single by Martinez and Quinton McCracken's groundout.

In the bottom of the inning, the Mariners made it 4-1 when Olerud doubled again, went to third on a wild pitch by Trachsel and scored when Martinez's wide throw from shortstop pulled first baseman Fred McGriff off the bag.

Tampa Bay manager Larry Rothschild refused to blame Martinez, who joined the Devil Rays on May 26 and hasn't missed a start since.

"Felix has played very well for us," Rothschild said. "I'm not going to worry about him making one error because he's played very good for us."

Guillen doubled before Williams hit his seventh homer of the season in the fifth.

Henderson, baseball's career stolen base king, delighted the Safeco Field crowd of 29,349 with his 1,347th career steal in the seventh after apparently being picked off by Trachsel. McGriff tried to run Henderson down but missed as Henderson dove into second.

"I guess I caught him (McGriff) with his head down," Henderson said. "He asked me, 'Why'd you do that to me?' "

Abbott gave up three runs and four hits in seven innings. He said he gave up his homer to Williams on an 0-1 pitch that was a changeup that stayed up in the strike zone.

"It just sat there," he said. "I overthrew it way too hard."

Trachsel allowed four runs -- three earned -- and five hits in his third complete game of the season. He's 5-4 with a 3.96 ERA in 13 starts and 84 1-3 innings against opponents other than the Mariners this season. Against Seattle, he's got a 9.75 ERA in 12 innings.

"The only dry spell I've had is against these guys," said Trachsel, an 18-game loser for the Chicago Cubs last season. "I'm just trying to throw the ball well."

Game notes
If RHP Gil Meche isn't able to take his turn in the rotation for the Mariners on Friday night against Baltimore, Brett Tomko will start in his place. Meche has experienced a mysterious "dead arm" this season. ... The Devil Rays' record in June dropped to 11-7. ... Williams has hits in nine of his last 10 games. He has 11 RBI in that stretch. ... Olerud's two doubles gave him an AL-leading 24 for the season.