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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, September 14, 2009

Ichiro hits a record


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki acknowledges cheers after breaking Willie Keeler's record achieved from 1894-1901.

TONY GUTIERREZ | Associated Press

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ARLINGTON, Texas — Soaked in beer, Ichiro Suzuki smiled after a long day.

After he reached 200 hits for the ninth straight season during the second game of a doubleheader, Ken Griffey Jr. picked up his slight teammate, slung him over his shoulder and carried him to the showers, where teammates awaited with a beer bath.
"To get to enjoy this with these teammates I have, and especially that guy over there makes me very joyful," Suzuki said.
Suzuki beat out an infield single to become the first player in major league history with at least 200 hit in nine straight seasons as the Mariners beat the Texas Rangers, 5-0, to split a doubleheader after losing the opener 7-2.
In his second at-bat of the nightcap, Suzuki hit a slow roller to shortstop Elvis Andrus, beating the throw for No. 200 and driving in a run for a 2-0 lead.
Suzuki had been tied with Willie Keeler, who had eight consecutive 200-hit seasons from 1894-1901.

RED SOX SWEEP RAYS: Jon Lester (13-7) gave up two hits in eight innings and Jason Varitek drove in two runs as host Boston handed Tampa Bay its 11th straight loss, 4-0, in the second game of a doubleheader.
In the opener, Dustin Pedroia hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth to lift Boston to a 3-1 victory.
Yankees 13, Orioles 3: Hideki Matsui homered and drove in five runs, CC Sabathia (17-7) became the AL's first 17-game winner and host New York avoided a three-game sweep against last-place Baltimore.
Angels 3, White Sox 2: Torii Hunter hit a tiebreaking home run leading off the bottom of the seventh inning to help Al West-leading Los Angeles take two of three from Chicago.
Twins 8, Athletics 0: Joe Mauer had three hits, including a home run, and rookie Brian Duensing (3-1) scattered eight hits over seven innings as host Minnesota spoiled Oakland's attempt at a three-game sweep.
Royals 7, Indians 0: Kyle Davies (8-9) was unhittable until Shin-Soo Choo lined a single to center to open the sixth, and two relievers completed the two-hitter for visiting Kansas City.
Tigers 7, Blue Jays 2: Gerald Laird and Brandon Inge each had two RBIs, helping host Detroit beat Toronto to snap a season-worst five-game losing streak.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
PHILLIES SWEEP METS: Pedro Martinez (5-0) pitched six-hit ball over eight innings and Ryan Madson worked the ninth for his eighth save as host Philadelphia beat New York, 1-0, to complete a doubleheader sweep.
In the first game, Shane Victorino and Ben Francisco each homered, and Brad Lidge gave up two runs in the ninth but finished for his 29th save as the Phillies won, 5-4.
Braves 9, Cardinals 2: Javier Vazquez (13-9) took a shutout into the ninth inning and finished with a seven-hitter as visiting Atlanta completed a three-game sweep.
Giants 7, Dodgers 2: Brad Penny (3-0) gave up two runs and five hits over seven strong innings to beat his former club, and Juan Uribe hit a two-run homer as host San Francisco avoided a three-game sweep by rival Los Angeles.
Padres 7, Rockies 3: Tony Gwynn drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in a three-run sixth inning, lifting host San Diego, while cutting Colorado's lead in the wild-card race to 4› games over San Francisco.
Brewers 5, Diamondbacks 3: Prince Fielder hit a solo homer for his 126th RBI to tie visiting Milwaukee's single-season RBI record as the Brewers completed a three-game sweep of Arizona.
Pirates 2, Astros 1: Paul Maholm (8-8) spaced six hits over eight scoreless innings, Ryan Doumit homered and Garrett Jones had an RBI single as Pittsburgh snapped a 13-game road losing streak by beating Houston.
Nationals 7, Marlins 2: John Lannan (9-11) allowed one run and six hits in five innings, and Pete Orr hit his first homer of the season as Washington beat Florida in a game called after a 53-minute rain delay in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Cubs 5, Reds 2: Ted Lilly (12-8) scattered six hits over six scoreless innings, Derrek Lee homered and Andres Blanco had three hits and two RBIs to lead host Chicago.