SEATTLE, July 4 (UPI) -- John Olerud had a clutch RBI double in the eighth inning and drove in both runs Thursday night as the Seattle Mariners continued to roll, posting a 2-1 triumph over the Minnesota Twins.
Bypassed for the All-Star Game because of the depth at first base, Olerud is having one of his finest offensive seasons.
He began play Thursday hitting .307 with 12 homers and 47 RBI and has reached safely in all but 12 of 82 games this season. He also helped keep the Mariners' offense in gear with Edgar Martinez sidelined most of the first half.
Olerud tied the game with a sacrifice fly in the sixth and snapped the deadlock two innings later with a long drive into the left-center gap. Olerud's 27th double of the season scored pinch-runner Charles Gipson with the go-ahead run.
Arthur Rhodes (5-1), who retired all four batters he faced, notched the win and Kazuhiro Sasaki got the final two outs for his 20th save in 24 opportunities.
Minnesota starter Juan Rincon allowed a run and five hits in 6 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four.
Seattle starter Freddy Garcia allowed a run and six hits in seven innings but did not factor in the decision for the first time since May 8.
