Yankees outfielder Ichiro Suzuki closes in on 4,000 hits

NEW YORK — New York Yankees outfielder Ichiro Suzuki is closing in on what Angels Manager Mike Scioscia calls an “incredible� achievement, a combined 4,000 hits in the U.S. and Japan.

Suzuki, who is not in Tuesday night’s lineup against Angels left-hander Jason Vargas, has 2,716 hits in the major leagues and 1,278 in Japan’s Pacific League. He needs six hits to reach the 4,000 plateau, a figure achieved by only Pete Rose (4,256) and Ty Cobb (4,191).

Suzuiki, 39, played his first 11 1/2 years in the U.S. in Seattle and had 206 hits or more in each of his first 10 seasons. A 10-time All-Star, he was the American League most valuable player and rookie of the year in 2001. He has a career .301 average with 275 hits in 214 games against the Angels.

“Of the few things you can really count on in this game, Ichiro getting 200 hits a season is one of them,� Scioscia said. “It’s almost like when Pete Rose was on that long streak.

“He’s still running well, putting the ball in play and getting his hits. I can’t really say it’s been fun to watch because a lot of them were at our expense, but there’s no doubt he’s a special player and a Hall of Famer.�

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