Earlier this year, Ichiro equaled Pete Rose’s career record of 4,256 hits as a professional, including his years in Japan as well as the U.S. At the time, the Japanese outfielder said players could only reach such milestones if they were insane in some way. It was only fitting he flashed both in his historic moment.
Advertisement
Ichiro Suzuki hit a triple off of Chris Rusin of the Colorado Rockies at Coors Park in Denver Colorado to become just the 30th player to collect 3,000 hits in his career. The 42-year-old Ichiro tied Roberto Clemente for 29th place on baseball’s all-time hit list.
Ichiro, who in 2001 became the first Japanese position player, or nonpitcher, in Major League Baseball, joins Roberto Clemente (Puerto Rico), Rod Carew (Panama) and Rafael Palmeiro (Cuba) as the only members of the 3,000-hit club born outside the United States. “But later, I found out that Paul Molitor is the only other person to do it with a triple, and I have a close relationship with him”.
A 10-time All-Star, Ichiro won a Gold Glove Award in each of his first 10 years in the majors, and has had an American League record of seven hitting streaks of 20 or more games, with a high of 27. Ichiro’s long fly ball bounced off the wall in right and toward the infield, and Ichiro easily reached third base, where his Marlins teammates – emptying out of the nearby visitors’ dugout – mobbed him.
“We gave him a big hug and told him he deserved it”, Gordon said after the 10-7 Marlins victory. Arenado blasted two home runs – including a 456-foot, three-run shot to get the Rockies back in the game in the fifth – and a double while driving in five runs.
DIAMONDBACKS 9, BREWERS 3: Jake Lamb and Phil Gosselin each hit two-run homers during a five-run fifth inning to help Arizona beat Milwaukee in Phoenix. To put it into context, having 200 hits in one season is widely considered a career year and a rare baseball achievement. He was followed by a Martin Prado single and Christian Yelich two RBI-double to deep left center giving the Marlins its first runs of the game. “When I first got my hit as a big leaguer, I was happy for myself”, Suzuki said.
Adam Conley came away with the win, but was not at his best. “I love this game and I love this team”, he said, often choking up.
Jeffrey Leonard hit two home runs and Randy Johnson got the start and went eight innings. Rockies first-baseman Mark Reynolds hit a single on the next pitch and would later score on an Adames fielder’s choice. Fernando Rodney worked the ninth for his first save since coming to Miami on June 30 and 18th overall. He also set the Major League Baseball single-season record with 262 hits in 2004.
He also joined Paul Molitor as only the second player to reach 3,000 with a three-bagger.
Rockies: Parra was activated from the 15-day DL and INF Rafael Ynoa was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.
The Marlins optioned RHP Nefi Ogando to Triple-A New Orleans to make room for LHP Hunter Cervenka.
Advertisement
The Marlins will begin a series on Monday with the San Francisco Giants.
