Written by the Associated Press at NPR.com
Ichiro Suzuki defined his career with speed and sharp hits. It was only fitting he flashed both in his historic moment.
Suzuki lined a tripled off the wall for his 3,000th career hit in the major leagues, becoming the 30th player to reach the milestone as the Miami Marlins beat the Colorado Rockies 10-7 Sunday.
The 42-year-old Suzuki got his big hit in the seventh inning. He became the first player born in Japan to reach 3,000, and joined Paul Molitor, his former hitting coach in Seattle, as the only ones to hit the mark with a triple.
“I wanted to see it go over the fence, but after I heard that Paul Molitor was the other person to do it I was glad it didn’t go over,” Suzuki said after sharing Champagne with his teammates in the clubhouse after the win. “I have a special relationship with him and having something like this, that is the same thing he accomplished, makes it more special.”
Giancarlo Stanton hit his 24th homer and Christian Yelich and Mathis had three hits and three RBIs each for the Marlins.
Nolan Arenado homered twice and drove in five runs for Colorado. Arenado leads the NL in home runs (29) and RBIs (87).
Adam Conley (8-6) allowed six runs in five innings. Fernando Rodney worked the ninth for his first save since coming to Miami on June 30 and 18th overall.
Jon Gray (8-5) was roughed up for eight runs and 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Suzuki was hitless in his first three at-bats of the game before he tagged Chris Rusin.
Suzuki launched a long drive to right field that carried just beyond the reach of leaping Gerardo Parra, and breezed into third standing up.
“When I got that hit the burden was lifted off,” Suzuki said.
Third base coach Lorenzo Bundy hugged Suzuki as Miami players came out of the dugout to congratulate him. He waved his helmet to acknowledge the cheers at Coors Field.
“We gave him a big hug and told him he deserved it,” said Dee Gordon, who was the first player to reach Suzuki as he stood on third. “That’s what you’re supposed to do. Show him his respect, show him that we respect his milestone.”
Suzuki was happy to share the moment with everyone. He appeared to become a little emotional when he was told fans at Safeco Field in Seattle stuck around after the Mariners game ended to watch him get 3,000.
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