Palmeiro joins 3,000-hit, 500-HR club

SEATTLE -- Baltimore Orioles slugger Rafael Palmeiro became the 26th player to reach 3,000 career hits last night, curling an RBI double into the left-field corner in the fifth inning off Seattle starter Joel Pineiro.

Palmeiro also has 566 home runs over his 20-year career, joining Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Eddie Murray as the only players with 3,000 hits and 500 homers.

Palmeiro's double tied him with Roberto Clemente for 25th place on the all-time list, both with 3,000 hits. In the sixth, he added a single to center off Mariners reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa, passing Clemente.

The 40-year-old Palmeiro was cheered each time he batted and flashbulbs popped on every pitch when the mark was pending. After the milestone hit, Palmeiro's teammates rushed onto the field from the dugout and bullpen, and he received a lengthy standing ovation from the Safeco Field crowd.

Melvin Mora and Sal Fasano each hit solo home runs for the Orioles, who remained one game behind the Red Sox in the East by beating the Mariners, 6-3. Rodrigo Lopez (8-5) pitched 5 1/3 innings for his second straight victory.

B.J. Ryan pitched a perfect ninth for his 21st save in 24 chances.