Suzuki gets the cheers and Mariners win
Japanese star receives warm welcome from 45,787 at Tokyo Dome in opener of major league season.
TOKYO — Ichiro Suzuki drew all the cheers. Most everyone else on the Seattle Mariners did all the hitting.
A crowd of 45,787 that came to salute Suzuki in his homeland saw Domingo Santana deliver the biggest hit at the Tokyo Dome, a grand slam that sent Seattle over the Oakland Athletics 9-7 on Wednesday in the Major League Baseball opener.
Batting ninth and knowing he’d get two plate appearances, Suzuki popped up and worked a walk. The 45-year-old star took his spot in right field to begin the bottom of the fourth inning, then was removed to another huge ovation. He was met with hugs from the Mariners on the diamond.
“The fans in Japan probably aren’t used to the reception I got from my teammates, but it’s not that unusual in the majors,” Suzuki said.
Mariners manager Scott Servais said Suzuki will play in Thursday’s final game of the series, but there is no guarantee he’ll start.
“We certainly want to give him an opportunity to go out and play, but we also want to get some other guys in the game,” Servais said. “I understand everybody wants to see him go all nine innings. We’re trying to do the best thing for the team and Ichiro understands.”
This marked the earliest opening day. The game started at 2:36 a.m. PDT.
Tim Beckham hit a home run for Seattle, and Khris Davis, Stephen Piscotty and Matt Chapman connected for the A’s.
“It was great. It’s a fun crowd to play in front of. Even the pregame stuff was exciting. I think everybody had a good time,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said.