PEORIA, Ariz. -- The box score says Ichiro Suzuki went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts in his first Cactus League game back with the Mariners on Sunday, but his heart said something different after he just missed a possible double down the right-field line and hit a hard line drive right at the left fielder in a 6-5 loss to the Reds.
This wasn't a typical spring debut for the 44-year-old, who was greeted by loud ovations from the crowd of 8,499 at Peoria Stadium at every turn.
"I was very touched and just happy," Ichiro said through interpreter Allen Turner.