Mariners get big hit from Hansen

SEATTLE _ There might not be a lonelier life than being a utility player in the American League.

It’s often a one-at-bat-a-week existence in which mental preparation must override the lack of rhythm that other players can get from consistent playing time.

Dave Hansen has mastered it, and he showed Saturday why he is one of baseball’s all-time pinch-hit leaders.

In his second at-bat of the week, Hansen hit a bases-loaded single in the eighth inning that pulled the Mariners from behind for a 6-5 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Safeco Field.

The winning run scored on the play when the ball skipped past center fielder Alex Sanchez for an error that completed the Mariners’ second comeback of the game. Raul Ibanez’s two-run homer in the fourth inning gave the Mariners a 2-1 lead.

Hansen, who has 138 career pinch hits, batted for Willie Bloomquist with the bases loaded, two outs, the Mariners trailing 5-3 in the eighth and hard-throwing Devil Rays closer Danys Baez was on the mound.

Impossible? Hansen makes his living in such situations, and Saturday he produced.

“In our role, we have to thrive off the adrenaline,” he said. “We have to learn to harness it. I was trying to stay positive, look for a good pitch to hit and put good wood on it. It was a time to be a little leaguer for a second and make good contact.”

He did after working a full count against Baez.

“That was as good an at-bat as we’ve had all year long,” said manager Mike Hargrove, who has criticized his hitters recently for not working the ball-strike count in their favor. “He optimized his chance of getting on base and getting a run in. That was a very professional at-bat.”

Hansen’s description was a little less scientific.

“I don’t think I could simulate that in my backyard,” he said. “I just happened to get a 3-2 fastball that was straight and I put good wood on it.”

The Mariners’ own closer, Eddie Guardado, had to convert in the bottom of the ninth and he did, with some help.

Toby Hall led off with a single before Guardado got pinch hitter Eduardo Perez to hit a bouncer to shortstop Mike Morse. Morse flipped to second baseman for the first out and Boone wheeled a throw to first baseman Richie Sexson that arrived well after Perez had stepped on the bag.

TV replays showed it, although first base umpire Terry Craft called Perez out.

Perez, first-base coach Billy Hatcher and manager Lou Piniella argued harshly while Guardado settled himself back on the mound for a game-ending play that will stick in the Mariners’ memory for a long time.