In the last 25 years, only the 1997 Rockies and 1986 Blue Jays have batted .400 or better with the bases loaded. That Rockies team was 42-for-104 in '97, good for a .404 average with the sacks full, the highest mark in the last 25 seasons.

This year's Seattle Mariners threaten to join the club. The Mariners are hitting a major league-high .439 (25-for-57) with the bases juiced, and with five doubles, a triple and two home runs, they also lead the way in slugging at .667.

Eight different Mariners are batting .500 or better with the sacks full. The hits leader in bases-loaded situations is Ichiro, who is 6-for-9 (.667) with a triple. Both he and Raul Ibanez (4-for-8 with a double) have driven in a club-high 13 runs when there's been no room on the bases to put them.

There's a long way to go in 2007, but for now, there are two clubs above the .400 mark at this point of the season. The Tigers also have been trouble for pitchers with the bases loaded, going 27-for-64 (.422) with two doubles, four homers and a major league-high 76 RBIs. The Mariners have delivered 64 runs in those situations.

Five Tigers are hitting at least .500 with the bases loaded, and Craig Monroe, Curtis Granderson, Ivan Rodriguez and Carlos Guillen have powered grand slams. The Rangers, Astros and Nationals match Detroit for most slams in 2007, but none of those clubs are within 100 points of the Mariners and Tigers in batting average.

Loading the bases to create a double-play situation against the Mariners or Tigers is a dangerous option for big league hurlers. Pursuing one out at a time may involve less risk, as both clubs are closer to .300 than .400 with runners in scoring position.