"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."
"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 221/2 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 2-2, 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 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 RBIs.
