Seattle salutes Ichiro Suzuki at Safeco Field, gives outfielder a rousing ovation in first plate appearance

SEATTLE — Ichiro Suzuki bid farewell to the Mariners and their fans on Wednesday, playing his final game at Safeco Field this season after calling the ballpark home for 11½ seasons.

Ichiro went 1-for-5 out of the leadoff spot, hitting there for the first time as a Yankee after Joe Girardi was forced to shake up the lineup following Alex Rodriguez’s injury Tuesday night. “He’s been there a lot,” Girardi said before the game. “We moved Curtis Granderson to the fifth spot, an RBI position. We just thought we’d give this a shot and see how it works out.”

Ichiro may have reached base only once, but Derek Jeter went 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored out of the No. 2 spot, reaching base a fourth time after being hit by a pitch in the eighth to start the game-winning rally. The Seattle crowd gave Ichiro a rousing ovation as he came to the plate to lead off the game, prompting him to step out of the box and tip his cap, bowing twice to recognize the fans who have adored him since he arrived in the majors in 2001.

“I was here 11½ years; I didn’t really show it, but inside I was really going through some emotional times,” Ichiro said through his translator. “It was very special these last few days, but definitely emotional inside.”

via Seattle salutes Ichiro Suzuki at Safeco Field, gives outfielder a rousing ovation in first plate appearance   – NY Daily News.