Ichiro sets another record with two hits.

3,054 hits most by player who was foreign-born

ST. LOUIS — With two simple singles that looked like so many of his others, Ichiro Suzuki made history Thursday at Busch Stadium, passing Hall of Famer Rod Carew with 3,054 career major league hits, the most among any foreignborn player.

The milestone held extra meaning for Ichiro, the Miami Marlins’ backup outfielder, given his relationship through the years with Carew, who was born in Panama in 1945. The two met years ago when Ichiro played for the Seattle Mariners, and when Ichiro joined the 3,000-hit club last summer, Carew wrote him a letter.

Through the years, Ichiro said, people have told him he plays a lot like Carew did for the Twins and Angels from 1967-85.

“I didn’t understand everything he was telling me,” Ichiro said through interpreter Allen Turner of his meeting with Carew. “But just the feeling I got, usually a lot of the players that played in the past, when they retire they kind of look at the game today and think the game is easy. I felt that he was not one of those.”

Ichiro slapped career hit No. 3,053 the other way to left field in the second inning of the Marlins’ 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, pulling him into a tie with Carew for 24th on baseball’s all-time hits list. In the eighth, he sent a grounder up the middle to pass Carew.

“It’s tough to even say more about the already incredible resume,” Marlins first baseman Justin Bour said. “Obviously, this just checks off another box on his amazing career in baseball. It’s a treat to be able to see him play every day, and continue to mark off milestones.”

Ichiro, an ardent student of the history of baseball, knew off the top of his head the Hall of Famer next on the all-time hits list: Rickey Henderson, with 3,055.

Don Mattingly

start Wednesday after four innings. The Marlins won’t need a fifth starter again until July 18, but Mattingly doesn’t expect to have to wait that long to slot Volquez back in.

“This is not something that really concerns us from the standpoint of a longterm problem,” Mattingly said. “It’s something that he’s had in the past. A little bit of rest, a little bit of medication, I feel like after the break he’ll be ready to roll.”

The Marlins could still put Volquez on the 10-day disabled list to take advantage of the open roster spot.

JEFF ROBERSON/AP Ichiro Suzuki singles during the eighth inning of Thursday’s game to set the record for hits by a foreign-born player.