Bloomquist finds success in run-producing situations

SEATTLE -- Willie Bloomquist was in the lineup starting at second base for the second game in a row Sunday after knocking in a pair of two-out RBI singles in Saturday night's 3-2 win.

Since 2012, Bloomquist is batting .414 (41-for-99) with runners in scoring position and .346 (18-for-52) with two outs and RISP.

"He's a veteran guy," McClendon said. "He knows what he's doing. He has not had a lot of opportunities, but when you're a utility player, that's what happens. When you do get those opportunities you got to take advantage of them. He's done that."

Bloomquist said the biggest challenge with getting spot starts is avoiding the urge to swing at pitches out of the strike zone.

How does he explain his success with runners in scoring position?

"I do my homework and try to study a lot and try to figure out guys tendencies and how they try to pitch me in certain situations and use that to my advantage," he said. "It's nothing definite, but I try to put the odds in my favor as much as I can."