Suzuki’s Two Hits Help Defeat the A’s

Ichiro Suzuki had two hits to move within three of tying the major league single-season record, and the Seattle Mariners pounded Oakland starter Tim Hudson in a 7-2 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday night at Oakland.

The A’s fell into a first-place tie with the Angels in the American League West.

Suzuki led off the game with a double to right-center field and singled to start the fifth. He finished two for five and needs four hits in Seattle’s last five games to surpass George Sisler’s record of 257 hits in 1920.

The A’s issued 140 credentials to visiting media for the four-game series -- mostly to the Japanese media covering Suzuki’s every move.

Suzuki has an eight-game hitting streak -- all on the road -- and is batting .486 (18 for 37) during the stretch.

Boston 10, Tampa Bay 8 -- Kevin Millar’s two-out, two-run homer in the 11th inning lifted the Red Sox at St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Red Sox, who clinched a playoff spot Monday night, moved within 2 1/2 games of the first-place New York Yankees in the AL East.

Detroit 6, Chicago 4 -- Eric Munson hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh inning at Detroit.

Detroit’s Bobby Higginson had a homer, double and three walks.

Paul Konerko hit his 41st homer, placing him in a tie for fourth on the White Sox’s single-season list.

Cleveland 5, Kansas City 1 -- Ryan Ludwick, Ronnie Belliard and Casey Blake homered, and the host Royals suffered their 100th loss, tying a team record set in 2002.

Darrell May (9-19) gave up all three homers and set a team record with 38 given up this season. He leads the majors in losses.

Minnesota at New York, postponed -- The game was postponed because of rain and will be made up today as part of a doubleheader.

Toronto at Baltimore, postponed -- The game was postponed because of rain and will be made up today as part of a doubleheader.

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Ichiro’s Quest

The progress of Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki in his pursuit of the single-season major league record for hits, held by George Sisler:

* Suzuki on Tuesday: Two for five vs. Texas.

* Suzuki for the season: 254 hits, with five games remaining.

* Sisler’s record: 257 hits in 1920 for the St. Louis Browns.