BOSTON (AP) — Seattle manager Scott Servais kept up the ruse on Friday night, denying that he saw Ichiro Suzuki in disguise in the Mariners dugout at Yankee Stadium.And he mostly kept a straight face as he said it.In a performance almost as transparent as the fake mustache and hoodie the former outfielder wore when he crashed the team's bench, Servais said before Friday night's game against the Red Sox, "I've got to keep a closer eye on my dugout.""Mustaches? I don't know anybody that's got a mustache," Servais told chuckling reporters at Fenway Park a day after Suzuki was caught by an Associated Press photographer where he wasn't supposed to be. "I don't know who that is, but will definitely keep an eye out today."Suzuki, who is now in the Mariners front office, stretched with the team on Friday night and took batting practice before the series opener against the Red Sox. According to Major League Baseball rules, he isn't allowed to be in the dugout during games.The 44-year-old outfielder... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:PACKING A PUNCHOdubel Herrera tries to homer in his fifth straight game when the Phillies begin a three-game series at Washington. "What he's doing is special," Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler said. "It's elite." Herrera is batting .419 (13 for 31) with two doubles, five homers and eight RBIs in the last seven games. Seven of his 12 homers have given the Phillies a lead. "He's a different breed," pitcher Jake Arrieta said. "When he gets hot, he's fun to watch."ONE-DIMENSIONAL PLAYERA sprained right index finger is expected to keep Angels star Mike Trout from playing the outfield during a four-game series against Toronto. Trout, who has reached base in 31 of 47 plate appearances over his last nine games, was the designated hitter Thursday night during an 8-5 victory over the Blue Jays. The two-time MVP went 0 for 2 with three walks in his 1,000th career game, ending his hitting streak at eight games. Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:PACKING A PUNCHOdubel Herrera tries to homer in his fifth straight game when the Phillies begin a three-game series at Washington. "What he's doing is special," Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler said. "It's elite." Herrera is batting .419 (13 for 31) with two doubles, five homers and eight RBIs in the last seven games. Seven of his 12 homers have given the Phillies a lead. "He's a different breed," pitcher Jake Arrieta said. "When he gets hot, he's fun to watch."BASHING THE BUCSJon Jay and the Diamondbacks look to keep feasting on Pirates pitching when the teams square off in Pittsburgh again. Arizona has scored 35 runs in going 3-1 against the Pirates this season. Jay doubled in each of the first two innings Thursday night, when the Diamondbacks cruised to a 9-3 victory. The center fielder is hitting .340 in 13 games since being acquired from Kansas City in a June 6 trade. Ivan Nova (4-5, 4.42 ERA) will try to slow down Arizona — the right-hander... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Just who was that guy sitting on the Seattle Mariners bench, the odd fellow with the bushy mustache, shades and a hoodie?Wait a second — it was Ichiro!Now a team executive, Ichiro Suzuki donned a Bobby Valentine-style disguise and sneaked into the Seattle dugout Thursday to watch a bit of the action at Yankee Stadium.Exactly as he hinted, in fact."He was perfect. I never would have known it was him," Valentine texted to The Associated Press.Officially, Suzuki isn't allowed to be in the dugout during games under Major League Baseball rules. The 44-year-old outfielder with 3,089 career hits came off the Seattle roster in early May and moved into the team's front office as a special assistant to the chairman.Suzuki has been taking part in pregame drills and batting practice in a role similar to a coach. But he's required to leave the bench when games begin, and that's when he takes his place in the clubhouse — usually, anyway.This time, in a ballpark where he played for parts... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Just who was that guy sitting on the Seattle Mariners bench, the odd fellow with the bushy mustache, shades and a hoodie?Wait a second — it was Ichiro!Now a team executive, Ichiro Suzuki donned a Bobby Valentine-style disguise and sneaked into the Seattle dugout Thursday to watch a bit of the action at Yankee Stadium.Exactly as he hinted, in fact.Officially, Suzuki isn't allowed to be in the dugout during games under Major League Baseball rules. The 44-year-old outfielder with 3,089 career hits came off the Seattle roster in early May and moved into the team's front office as a special assistant to the chairman.Suzuki has been taking part in pregame drills and batting practice in a role similar to a coach. But he's required to leave the bench when games begin, and that's when he takes his place in the clubhouse — usually, anyway.This time, in a ballpark where he played for parts of three seasons, Suzuki got a much closer look.Associated Press photographer Bill Kostroun spotted... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Now that he's no longer an active player, maybe Ichiro Suzuki wants to start swinging for the fences.How about at next month's Home Run Derby during All-Star festivities in Washington?What began as light-hearted banter among Seattle Mariners coaches grew into something that caused a stir in the clubhouse before Wednesday night's game against the New York Yankees."He's got power and he's been launching balls into the seats," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "A couple of coaches said the other day, 'You know, no one wants to do this Home Run Derby. Why don't we just send Ichiro? He'd be awesome.'"The idea gained momentum when Servais mentioned it on a radio show Wednesday, and suddenly a new Twitter hashtag was born — #IchiForDC.Not officially retired but unlikely to appear in another major league game, the Japanese-born Suzuki shifted to a new role with Seattle as special assistant to the chairman in early May after batting .205 in 15 games this season. The 44-year-old... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — He might not be an active player anymore, but that didn't stop rumors from swirling about the possibility of Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki taking part in next month's All-Star Home Run Derby in the nation's capital.What started as a light-hearted conversation among Seattle's coaching staff grew into something that caused a stir in the clubhouse before Wednesday's game."He's got power and he's been launching balls into the seats," manager Scott Servais said. "A couple of coaches said the other day 'You know, no one wants to do this Home Run Derby. Why don't we just send Ichiro? He'd be awesome.'"The idea gained momentum when Servais mentioned it on a radio show earlier in the day, and suddenly a new Twitter hashtag was born -- #IchiForDC.Not officially retired but unlikely to appear in another big league game, the Japanese-born Suzuki shifted to a new role as special assistant to the chairman in early May after batting .205 in 15 games. The 44-year-old travels with the club... [More]

June 141952 — Warren Spahn of the Boston Braves struck out 18 Cubs in a 3-1, 15-inning loss to Chicago. Spahn also homered.1953 — The New York Yankees swept Cleveland 6-2 and 3-0 to extend their winning streak to 18 games.1963 — Duke Snider hit his 400th career home run to highlight a 10-3 triumph by the New York Mets over the Cincinnati Reds at Crosley Field.1965 — Jim Maloney struck out 18 and no-hit the New York Mets for 10 innings, but Johnny Lewis' leadoff home run in the 11th inning gave the Mets a 1-0 win.1969 — Reggie Jackson knocked in 10 runs with two homers, a double and two singles in Oakland's 21-7 win over the Red Sox in Boston. In the eighth, he drove in three runs with a single when he easily could have made second base.1974 — Nolan Ryan struck out 19 batters in 12 innings to give the California Angels a 4-3 win over the Boston Red Sox in 15 innings. Cecil Cooper of the Red Sox struck out six times.1978 — Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds had two hits in a 3-1 triumph over... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — The last time the Seattle Mariners were in first place this deep into the season, the current hitting coach was the designated hitter, the current "Special Assistant to the Chairman" was hitting .352 at the top of the order, and the club won 93 games but missed the playoffs.Yes, it has been a long time since Edgar Martinez and Ichiro Suzuki had the Mariners in contention like they are right now."We just love playing for each other right now," pitcher Marco Gonzales said. "We're all rallying around each other and it's a lot of fun to be out there."The Mariners started Monday at 37-22 and with a one-game lead in the AL West, a position they haven't held this far into a season since late August 2003. That's nearly 15 years since the club has sniffed the clear air of the division lead outside the early stages of the regular season. An entire generation of Little Leaguers in the Pacific Northwest who look up to the likes of Nelson Cruz, James Paxton and Dee Gordon have never seen... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:CALL HIM COACHIchiro Suzuki gets a new job, at least for a day. The 10-time All-Star is expected to be Seattle's bench coach for a doubleheader at Detroit. The Mariners announced earlier this month that the 44-year-old Suzuki was stepping aside as a player this season and was shifting into a front office role. With manager Scott Servais away to see his daughter receive a master's degree at Mississippi, bench coach Manny Acta will be the skipper for the twinbill at Comerica Park, and Suzuki will work in the dugout."I'm honored to have a guy like Ichiro to be my bench coach. It's a luxury. It's another little history that I can tell my grandkids down the road," Acta said. "He's moving fast in the game, huh?"HE'S BACKRed Sox lefty David Price starts at Toronto, pitching for the first time since giving up a season-worst nine runs on May 3 in Texas. He was diagnosed this week with carpal tunnel syndrome. Price is an avid video gamer and says... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:CALL HIM COACHIchiro Suzuki gets a new job, at least for a day. The 10-time All-Star is expected to be Seattle's bench coach for a doubleheader at Detroit. The Mariners announced earlier this month that the 44-year-old Suzuki was stepping aside as a player this season and was shifting into a front office role. With manager Scott Servais away to see his daughter receive a master's degree at Mississippi, bench coach Manny Acta will be the skipper for the twinbill at Comerica Park, and Suzuki will work in the dugout."I'm honored to have a guy like Ichiro to be my bench coach. It's a luxury. It's another little history that I can tell my grandkids down the road," Acta said. "He's moving fast in the game, huh?"HE'S BACKRed Sox lefty David Price starts at Toronto, pitching for the first time since giving up a season-worst nine runs on May 3 in Texas. He was diagnosed this week with carpal tunnel syndrome. Price is an avid video gamer and says... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Adrian Beltre is back in the Texas Rangers lineup after missing 12 games because of a left hamstring strain.The Rangers delayed posting their lineup for Tuesday night's home game against Detroit, waiting to see how Beltre would get through a pregame workout. He was reinstated from the disabled list to fourth in the lineup as the third baseman.Texas put the 39-year-old Beltre on the disabled list April 25, a day after he got hurt in a home loss to Oakland. He pulled up limping on his way to first base and then gingerly walked off the field after his 3,075th hit.Beltre is the MLB active career leader after Ichiro Suzuki, with 3,089 hits, was removed from Seattle's 40-player roster last week for another role with the Mariners.Beltre, in his 21st big league season, is hitting .310 with one homer and eight RBIs.To make room for Beltre, the Rangers sent infielder Eliezer Alvarez back to Double-A Frisco.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SEATTLE (AP) — Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols got his 3,000th hit, reaching the mark with a broken-bat single Friday night against Seattle and becoming the 32nd player in major league history to join the exclusive club.Pujols dumped the single into shallow right field in the fifth inning against Mike Leake. It came on Pujols' sixth attempt after getting to 2,999 a day earlier.Pujols received a standing ovation from the crowd at Safeco Field and was given the baseball and first base as a memento. His teammates all greeted him on the field before action resumed. The Angels won the game 5-0, and Pujols collected hit No. 3,001 in the ninth inning with a two-run single."I was really excited, but at the same time you still have a game you need to play and you still need to focus to win that game," Pujols said. "That's what I told those guys. Let's go win that game so it can taste a little better with a win."The 38-year-old Pujols nearly got the mark in the first inning, but his hard... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols got his 3,000th hit, reaching the mark with a broken-bat single Friday night against Seattle and becoming the 32nd player in major league history to join the exclusive club.Pujols dumped the single into shallow right field in the fifth inning against Mike Leake. It came on Pujols' sixth attempt after getting to 2,999 a day earlier.Pujols received a standing ovation from the crowd at Safeco Field and was given the baseball and first base as a memento. His teammates all greeted him on the field before action resumed. The Angels won the game 5-0, and Pujols collected hit No. 3,001 in the ninth inning with a two-run single."I was really excited, but at the same time you still have a game you need to play and you still need to focus to win that game," Pujols said. "That's what I told those guys. Let's go win that game so it can taste a little better with a win."The 38-year-old Pujols nearly got the mark in the first inning, but his hard... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols got his 3,000th hit, reaching the mark with a broken-bat single Friday night against Seattle and becoming the 32nd player in major league history to join the exclusive club.Pujols dumped the single into shallow right field in the fifth inning against Mike Leake. It came on Pujols' sixth attempt after getting to 2,999 a day earlier.Pujols received a standing ovation from the crowd at Safeco Field and was given the baseball and first base as a memento. His teammates all greeted him on the field before action resumed.The 38-year-old Pujols nearly got the mark in the first inning, but his hard liner was right at shortstop Jean Segura. Pujols walked on a 3-2 pitch leading off the fourth inning after fouling off four two-strike pitches.Pujols joined Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Alex Rodriguez as the fourth player in baseball history with 3,000 hits and 600 homers. He's the first player to reach the mark since Adrian Beltre last year against... [More]

TOKYO (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki says he hasn't retired, but his move to the front office of the Seattle Mariners is seen by many in Japan as the beginning of a long "Sayonara" for a national treasure.Ichiro dominated Japanese TV talk shows, news shows and social media on Friday. National broadcasters showed historical footage of Ichiro playing with the Orix Blue Wave — his team before he joined the Mariners in 2001 — and his news conference in Seattle to explain his decision.The backdrop to many offerings was Ichiro's famous No. 51 jersey."I was choked up," his father Nobuyuki Suzuki said in an interview on TV Asahi. The elder Suzuki is famous for training his son — often described as "Zen-like" — in baseball's fundamentals, which have been diminished in the power-dominated game in the United States.Tweets in Japanese on Friday often mentioned Ichiro as a "baseball scientist," or a "student of the game." One called him a "role model for small baseball," a style in which the batter sacrifices... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki's otherworldly talents made an early impression on Dave Niehaus, the Hall of Fame voice of the Seattle Mariners.During Suzuki's first month in the majors in 2001, Niehaus narrated a throw by Suzuki from right field that nailed Terrence Long at third base. In a way, Niehaus was also describing what Suzuki was about to bring to the major leagues for 18 seasons."I'm here to tell you, Ichiro threw something out of Star Wars down there at third base," Niehaus said.Suzuki was unlike anything the majors had seen when he left Japan for Seattle, and he's become one of the most important figures in baseball history — and not just because of his 3,089 hits, 10 Gold Gloves, numerous All-Star Games, single-season hit record and MVP award.Suzuki carried the burden of an entire country in coming to America, and his success created opportunity for the countless others who have followed. Whether he wants to accept the label or not, Suzuki was a trailblazer.Suzuki and the Mariners... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Albert Pujols had a two-run double for his 2,999th career hit, and Luis Valbuena and Andrelton Simmons drove in three runs apiece in the Los Angeles Angels' 12-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night.Pujols did not get a hit in his final three plate appearances after moving to the brink of the 3,000-hit club in the second inning. He gets another chance Friday in Seattle.Angels rookie right-hander Jaime Barria (2-1) took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his third career start, finishing with six innings of four-hit ball.Manny Machado drove in two runs for the last-place Orioles, who have lost 15 of 18. Chris Tillman (1-5) recorded just three outs and was charged with seven runs.MARINERS 4, ATHLETICS 1SEATTLE (AP) — Dee Gordon had a big night on the bases, Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer and the Mariners won their first game since Ichiro Suzuki was moved from the roster to the front office.Hours after the Mariners announced Suzuki's new role for the... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Roughly three hours before first pitch on Thursday night, Ichiro Suzuki jogged to join his Seattle Mariners teammates in the outfield, fully in uniform, black mitt in hand, prepping for another pregame routine of catching fly balls and hitting in the cage.Except there was no game for the 44-year-old Suzuki to get ready for. He wouldn't be in the lineup on this night, or again in the 2018 season. And maybe his career."The past two months have been the happiest I've been," Suzuki said through an interpreter. "I knew one day that the day would come when I would have to walk away. But the Mariners have given me this opportunity to stay on. Obviously, with my teammates and how great they've been and how much they mean to me and how much I want to help is the reason I wanted to stay on and help in any way I can."Suzuki's career transitioned Thursday when the Mariners announced he was shifting into a front office role as a special assistant to the chairman. The job isn't sitting... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki was released Thursday by the Seattle Mariners and is shifting into a front office role with the team, although he is not completely shutting the door on playing again.The Mariners announced that Suzuki was becoming a special assistant to the chairman effective immediately. The team said Suzuki will have an active presence with the team and assist with outfield play, base running and hitting.But nowhere in the announcement do they say the 44-year-old is retiring, although Suzuki is precluded from returning to the active roster in 2018."We want to make sure we capture all of the value that Ichiro brings to this team off the field," Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a release. "This new role is a way to accomplish that. While it will evolve over time, the key is that Ichiro's presence in our clubhouse and with our players and staff improves our opportunity to win games. That is our number-one priority and Ichiro's number-one priority."Suzuki is in his... [More]