‘Going to be a different game’ without Ichiro

SEATTLE — The A’s might be the last big-league team Ichiro Suzuki faces. They were also the first, way back on April 2, 2001.

Ichiro became a Mariners special assistant Thursday — though he insists he’s not retiring — a day after he walked and scored a run in Seattle’s 3-2 loss to Oakland.

The 44-year-old outfielder knew his fate before Wednesday’s game.

“If that’s his last time on base, I would prefer to not give up a run,” said A’s pitcher Brett Anderson, who issued the third-inning walk, “but it’s one of those things where if that’s the case, it’s kind of interesting to have that to end his career.”

Ichiro could suit up again

when the Mariners open the 2019 season against the A’s in Japan, a two-game series in which 28-man rosters are permitted. Ichiro said it’s a goal.

If he doesn’t play again, his final at-bat will be Wednesday’s ninth-inning strikeout. He swung through Blake Treinen’s fastball with two aboard.

“Contact, speed, defense, arm. I think the guy can still play,” said Treinen, who faced Ichiro when both played in the National League East. “You never want to see (Ichiro) leave the game, but I think he’s left a memorable stamp on just about everybody in this game.”

It was a reflective day for Bob Melvin, who managed

Ichiro in Seattle in 2003 and 2004.

“The most committed player I ever had,” Melvin, now the A’s manager, said. “His whole day, his whole night, everything he thought about was about the next day’s game, being prepared. I’ve often said he was the easiest guy I ever managed because all you had to do is tell him what time the game was and he’d be ready to go.”

Catcher Jonathan Lucroy said Ichiro always greeted him with “Hey, Luc” when approaching the batter’s box, and Lucroy would respond with

“konnichiwa,” hello in Japanese. “It’s definitely going to be a different game without him in it,” Lucroy said. “I’m definitely honored to have been behind the plate for his last game this year.”

Briefly: A’s prospect Eric Mariñez of Class A Stockton was suspended 80 games for testing positive for the PED clomiphene. Mariñez appeared in 22 games this season . ... Matt Chapman has played 111 straight games dating to last season. Melvin said he doesn’t expect the third baseman to play every game this year.