Seattle Mariners ride flurry of sacrifice flies to 11-6 victory over Kansas City Royals

No advertising campaign has ever been built around the premise that "chicks dig the sacrifice fly."

But that rather mundane bit of baseball function was at the core of the Mariners' 11-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.

The 17,137 that braved frigid conditions at Safeco Field probably never dreamed they'd be witnessing a little bit of baseball history.

OK, a very little bit. But it was history nevertheless, as the Mariners tied a major-league record with five sac-flies.

"That's really cool," Mariners manager John McLaren said when informed of the mark. "I'm very proud of those guys."

It's been done three times now, twice by the Mariners. The 1988 Seattle team had the same achievement on Aug. 7 in Oakland, a signature moment in franchise history. Or not.

While the '88 Mariners had five different players deliver the sacrifice flies, just two turned the trick Tuesday — Jose Lopez, with three, and Yuniesky Betancourt, with two.

Lopez tied another major-league record, joining 11 others in history with three sac-flies in one game. The last to do so? Why, Seattle's Edgar Martinez on Aug. 3, 2002 vs. Cleveland.

Lopez, the new Sultan of Sac, used the same word as McLaren — "cool" — to characterize the achievement. But in batting four times with runners on third, he achieved his primary goal only once, when he singled home Willie Bloomquist in the fifth.

"I was trying to hit it hard each time," he said. "I was looking for a base hit."

In salvaging the final game of a 3-2 homestand that McLaren termed "not a great homestand, but good enough," the manager felt the sacrifice flies were indicative of a multifaceted offense that produced a season-high 11 runs.

Mariners batters had 13 hits, received six walks and stole two bases.

"We did a lot of little things today that helped us add on runs," McLaren said. "We didn't just do it one way. It was very positive. Guys are swinging the bats better."

That list includes catcher Kenji Johjima, who had three hits, including a big two-run double in the fifth as the Mariners scored four to extend their 5-4 lead. Johjima's average rose from .162 to .220.

"I struggled a lot when I started the season," Johjima said. "I'm finally getting to where I can compare my number to my teammates. I'm not there yet."

Another big contributor was Bloomquist, who in his first start of the season was on base all four times, with two singles and two walks. He scored two and drove in one — this after struggling all weekend with the flu.

"I'm a lot better than I was, but everyone that's had the flu knows it takes a few days to get your strength back," he said. "It was good to get back in there. I can make up for lack of energy when I get a start."

Joking about a pop fly that dropped in front of a charging Jose Guillen in shallow right field near the foul line, Bloomquist said, "My strength isn't quite there, as evidenced by my second hit — a rocket I scorched into right."

The victory went to Miguel Batista, who wasn't particularly sharp in five innings (seven hits, two walks, four runs).

Batista revealed after the game that he has "a little bit of a dead arm." He believes that his sore back in spring training that prevented him from doing his full training regimen might be responsible.

"It's not a big deal," he said. "A dead arm happens now and then. My velocity was actually better than Tampa [his last start], and also my command."

While Sean Green was particularly sharp in a two-inning stint (no base runners, three strikeouts), the brief appearance of Arthur Rhodes in the ninth was the most heartwarming to teammates.

It was the first outing since Sept. 9, 2006, with the Phillies, for Rhodes, who missed all last season after Tommy John elbow surgery.

"I've thought about this day," he said. "Mel [Stottlemyre] told me I was getting work today, but I didn't know what inning. It was in my mind all day. I just tried to stay calm and cool and throw strikes. I was excited, and I had a little bit of butterflies."

Rhodes retired the first batter he faced, but was lifted after giving up two singles. At that point the game was well in hand, and Mark Lowe finished up.

"I'm proud of myself," Rhodes said. "I've worked very hard for this. I give myself a pat on the back."

It was a day of pride for the Mariners — the day they became the latest titans of the sacrifice fly.

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com. More columns at www.seattletimes.com/columnists