Fresh from helping Japan clinch the inaugural World Baseball Classic, outfielder Ichiro Suzuki marked his Seattle Mariners return with a 3-for-3 showing in the 4-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in a preseason exhibition game Thursday.
Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners connects for a single during a preseason
game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Suzuki, who was the driving force behind Team Japan's success at the WBC, singled to left in his first visit to the plate and added two more hits, including an RBI single to center, while catcher and compatriot Kenji Jojima went 1-for-3.
"I'd be happy for the regular season to start right now," said Suzuki, who hit .364 in the Classic with one home run, five RBIs, seven runs and four stolen bases.