Ichiro a sensation, but still starting slow

Ichiro Suzuki’s struggles at the plate followed him to Japan.

Ichiro went hitless in three at-bats Sunday when his Mariners beat the Yomiuri Giants 6-4 in an exhibition game ahead of their MLB season-opening series against the A’s.

Ichiro arrived in Japan hitting just .080 in spring training and couldn’t break out with a hit before a near-sellout crowd of 46,315 at Tokyo Dome.

Even before the game started, Ichiro gave the crowd a thrill, signing autographs down the thirdbase line before a throng of fans eager to get a glimpse of the 45-year-old star who is playing here for the first time since 2012.

He made a running catch against the wall in deep right field in the first inning, flashing signs of his old defensive prowess.

Cameras flashes lit up the stands when he strode to the plate for his first at-bat in the second, but he hit a fly ball to left-center field.

He grounded into a force out in the fourth and grounded out again in the sixth before being replaced in right field by Braden Bishop.

Mariners manager Scott Servais played down the notion that Ichiro is under pressure here to get hits.

“He’s certainly earned the right to partake in this series,” Servais said. “He’s off to a slow start this spring, but I thought his timing was better today, he just missed a ball he pulled down the line that was foul so I thought his swings were fine. He made a nice catch in the outfield to start off the game so he’ll be in the lineup tomorrow.” Hinch suspended: Astros manager AJ Hinch was suspended one game for his argument and later comments about umpire Angel Hernandez over the weekend.

Major League Baseball penalized Hinch on Sunday and also fined him an undisclosed amount. Hinch said he accepted the decision and missed Sunday’s exhibition against the Braves.

Hinch was ejected by Hernandez one pitch into the bottom of the first inning Friday night in a split-squad game between the Astros and Cardinals. Hinch came onto the field and an extended argument ensued. After the game, he called Hernandez “unprofessional” and “arrogant.”

Extra innings: Yankees CF Aaron Hicks had a second cortisone shot for his ailing back and will not be ready for opening day. Hicks was hurt while taking batting practice on March 1. Brett Gardner will shift from left to center. The injury also means regular DH Giancarlo Stanton will get additional time in left . ... Back tightness is expected to keep Cardinals 3B Matt Carpenter out of the lineup until Wednesday. “Nothing serious,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. “We’re not concerned about it. We want to be judicious and give him a couple of days.” ... Back in the lineup two days after being hit by a pitch in the ankle, Bryce Harper was hitless Sunday, leaving him with a batting average of .000 in spring training. Harper is 0-for-8 in 14 plate appearances over five exhibition games. “I don't want to leave spring without a hit but if that happens, then March 28, here we come,” Harper said.