Ichiro ties 200-hit season mark

[September 18, 2008]  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki matched Willie Keeler's major league record of eight straight 200-hit seasons Wednesday night, beating out on infield single for his third hit against Kansas City

Ichiro came into the game with 197 hits. After walking to lead off the game, he hit a double just inside the first base-bag in the third inning and had a bloop single over third in the fifth. Ichiro matched Keeler in the eighth inning, hitting a ground ball up the middle and beating shortstop Mike Aviles' throw by a half-step.

The Japanese star received a standing ovation from the Kansas City crowd after reaching 200 hits in 151 games. He did it in 136 games a year ago.

Ichiro broke the AL record he shared with Wade Boggs (1983-89).

Keeler set the record from 1894-1901.

Associated Press]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.