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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle Mariners never figured on getting wet
at Safeco Field.
"When you have a retractable roof and then you have a rain
delay like that, it's just comical," winning pitcher John Halama
said after the Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 13-5 Saturday.
"Everybody in the clubhouse was laughing about it."
|  | | The few fans who toted umbrellas to the ballpark found they came in handy when the roof stuck in the open position Saturday. |
"You kept hearing the siren going off and the roof wasn't
coming," manager Lou Piniella said. "And the field was getting
saturated."
The game was halted for 54 minutes after the third inning when a
rainstorm drenched fans at Safeco Field and the $517.6 million
stadium's roof wouldn't retract because of a computer problem.
When the roof finally began closing about 20 minutes later, the
fans gave it an ovation.
The last rain delay in Seattle was Sept. 12, 1969, when the
Pilots played the California Angels at Sicks Stadium. The Mariners
played 22½ seasons in the Kingdome, which never had a rain delay
but had an earthquake-suspended game May 2, 1996.
"I guess when mechanical things are involved, anything can
happen," said Joe Oliver, who had a grand slam for the Mariners.
Informed that a computer malfunction caused the roof to stay
open, a high-tech problem, Oliver smiled and said, "As I said,
that's not my area."
After play resumed in the fourth with the score tied at 2,
Oliver doubled with two out, Mark McLemore doubled him in and Stan
Javier homered.
With two out in the the fifth, Mike Cameron singled, John Mabry
was hit by a pitch and David Bell was walked to load the bases for
Seattle. Oliver hit his fifth career grand slam, connecting off
Ryan Glynn (1-1).
Oliver, 34, is on the Mariners' roster because backup catcher
Tom Lampkin was lost for the season with a torn ligament in his
right elbow.
Oliver was signed by the Mariners as insurance in January. It
was Oliver's first grand slam since he hit one for Cincinnati at
Colorado Aug. 29, 1996.
"It's always a big thrill to get a grand slam," Oliver said.
"It's been awhile since I did it."
Glynn left with a blister on his finger the last time he faced
the Mariners, on July 1. This time he got blistered.
"Their team was very patient," he said. "They were pretty
much banking on me making a mistake when they came up."
Halama (9-5) pitched five innings as Seattle beat the Rangers
for the fourth time in a row, during which the Mariners have
outscored them 42-15. Halama gave up three runs on six hits and no
walks.
After warming up in the bullpen before the game, Halama spent
the rain delay throwing.
"I was gassed," he said. "I spent more time in the bullpen
than I did on the mound."
Halama's name has been mentioned in speculation involving a
possible Mariners' trade. General manager Pat Gillick has said he
is looking to add a good hitter to his lineup and is willing to
part with a pitcher.
"I don't read the sports section," Halama said. "You guys are
the ones who bring it up."
Ivan Rodriguez, given Friday night off, hit his 27th homer in
the Texas first.
Seattle's Edgar Martinez had his 24th homer in the third. He
drove in three runs and leads the majors with 93 RBI.
Game notes
The Mariners moved from the Kingdome into Safeco Field on
July 15, 1999. ... Seattle is a season-high 18 games over .500. ...
Rangers LF Rusty Greer, in an 0-for-14 slump, was given the day off
by manager Johnny Oates. ... All-Star SS Alex Rodriguez took
batting practice and worked on his lateral movement before the
game. The Seattle star is on the DL with a sprained right knee. The
Mariners said Saturday they expect him to be activated Monday or
Tuesday. ... Rafael Palmeiro became the 70th major league player to
reach 1,300 RBI with a sacrifice fly in the Texas first. ...
Rangers RF Scarborough Green drew an appreciative ovation when he
made a diving catch of a line drive by McLemore with Texas behind
11-5 in the seventh. ... Carlos Guillen, who has been Rodriguez's
replacement at SS, is 7-for-10 in the first two games of the series
to raise his average to .232. He was 3-for-5 Saturday. He is
13-for-21 in his last five games.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Texas Clubhouse
Seattle Clubhouse
A-Rod planning for Monday return to Mariners lineup
RECAPS
Kansas City 8
Detroit 5
Detroit 10
Kansas City 6
(2nd game)
Oakland 10
Anaheim 3
Seattle 13
Texas 5
Baltimore 8
Toronto 2
Tampa Bay 12
NY Yankees 4
Boston 8
Chi. White Sox 6
Minnesota 10
Cleveland 6
NY Mets 4
Atlanta 0
Cincinnati 7
Arizona 3
Houston 10
St. Louis 5
Chicago Cubs 3
Milwaukee 2
San Francisco 5
Los Angeles 2
Montreal 17
Florida 7
Pittsburgh 2
Philadelphia 1
Colorado 9
San Diego 4
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