Ichiro surpasses Babe Ruth in all-time MLB hits and Kawasaki gets 1st hit, then gets sent down

TORONTO — Munenori Kawasaki, called up to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, got his first major league hit this season — then was later sent back to the minors.

Kawasaki, batting ninth and playing second base, went 1-for-2 with a walk before coming out in the seventh inning in the Blue Jays 8-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.

Kawasaki got his first hit in his sixth at-bat since being called up, pulling a low outside fastball past the second baseman. He also drew a walk to lead off the third inning. “It was great that I got on base twice,” he said.

However, with shortstop Jose Reyes returning from injury, the team decided to send Kawasaki back down. He goes with the same positive attitude he has always shown. “I’m glad to play baseball wherever I am,” he said.

Ichiro ties Ott for 41st

Meanwhile, Ichiro Suzuki, who recently moved past legendary slugger Babe Ruth on the all-time major league hit list, tied former New York Giants star Mel Ott for 41st with No. 2,876.

Suzuki had a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning of the Miami Marlins 5-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

Next on the hit list is Omar Vizquel with 2,877.

In other news, infielder Casey McGahee, who helped the Tohoku Rakuten Eagles win the Japan Series in 2013, was designated for assignment by the San Francisco Giants.

McGahee, 32, who joined the World Series champions this season from the Miami Marlins, hit just .200 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 35 games.

Rhodes returns as player-coach

Former Japan league star Tuffy Rhodes, who hit 464 home runs over 13 seasons in Japan pro baseball, will return to the game six years after retiring to become player-coach of Toyama of the independent BC League.

The 46-year-old Rhodes won four home run titles, including in 2001, when he tied the then single-season record of 55

via Kawasaki gets 1st hit, then gets sent down – The Japan News.