Ichiro takes over batting lead in win
OAKLAND, Calif. – Ichiro Suzuki is spending more time watching the hit series “Without a Trace” on DVD these days than monitoring Magglio Ordonez’s at-bats in the race for the American League batting title.
Ichiro boosted his cause again Wednesday by adding two more hits to his total and raising his average to .354, helping the Seattle Mariners to their first three-game sweep in Oakland since 2001 with a 9-5 victory over the Athletics.
“He’s my favorite (to win it),” Mariners manager John McLaren said of his star leadoff hitter. “He’s a pure hitter. He can put the ball any place he wants to. I don’t think anybody would be surprised if he wins the batting title.”
Ordonez began the day with the top average in the league but went 0 for 4 for the Detroit Tigers in a loss at Cleveland and is batting .353.
“Of course that’s something I’m aware of all the time,” Ichiro said through an interpreter. “It’s important. Not everyone can have this opportunity. I like my chances.”
While Ichiro said he does check ESPN and the newspapers, “Without a Trace” is keeping him plenty occupied.
“It’s very interesting and I enjoy it a lot,” he said.
Felix Hernandez won his third straight decision, Raul Ibanez had an RBI triple a day after hitting a grand slam and the Mariners swept a series in the Coliseum for the first time since April 10-12, 2001.
Ichiro went 2 for 3 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games, and Yuniesky Betancourt drove in three runs on a blustery Bay Area day when the first-pitch temperature was 63 degrees.
Seattle won its sixth straight in Oakland to finish 8-1 this season. It won the season series 14-5 after a 2-17 showing against the A’s in 2006.
Hernandez (13-7) won his sixth decision in his last seven and improved to 8-3 away from Safeco Field this season. It was the 21-year-old right-hander’s fourth 2007 start against the A’s, and he is 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA – up from the 0.39 ERA he had to start the day.
He allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings, with three strikeouts and four walks.
The wind gusts of up to 26 mph were a challenge, and Hernandez said his breaking pitches took on a life of their own. McLaren compared the wind to the old days at Candlestick Park across San Francisco Bay.
“Oh, man, I don’t like that,” Hernandez said. “The wind was killing me today. That was tough. They gave me a five-run lead and I was just trying to hang in there. If I never see this wind again it would be good for me.”
Jack Cust hit his 24th home run, a solo shot leading off the fifth that pulled Oakland within 5-4.
Jack Hannahan had an RBI double and also singled and Mark Ellis drove in a run for the A’s, who dropped their fourth straight game.
Ryan Rowland-Smith pitched two scoreless innings, but Jon Huber and Sean Green got into trouble in the eighth. Huber walked the first two batters, then Green walked pinch-hitter Mike Piazza before Shannon Stewart’s sacrifice fly. George Sherrill recorded the final two outs, then J.J. Putz finished in a non-save situation.