Ichiro Suzuki is on the verge of history.
Saturday night at Coors Field, the Marlins outfielder beat out an infield single for his 2,999th hit in the big leagues. Here's the video:
We're just one step from history: https://t.co/PqpfGGfTFL#Ichiro3000pic.twitter.com/9J3QHPVjK7
— MLB (@MLB) August 7, 2016
Ichiro entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Giancarlo Stanton in the eighth inning of a blowout against the Rockies. He did bat again in the ninth, but he hit a chopper back to Rockies righty Scott Oberg and was thrown out at first in what was his first try for hit No. 3,000.
Following Saturday's game, the Marlins announced Ichiro will indeed be in Sunday's starting lineup.
OFFICIAL: Ichiro will start Sunday's game, ONE hit from 3,000. #Ichiro3000
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) August 7, 2016
📺: @FOXSportsFL
📻: @940WINZ, WAQI 710 pic.twitter.com/TripwzobkV
Right-hander Jon Gray will be on the mound for Colorado on Sunday. Ichiro has never faced the young flamethrower before.
Whenever he does inevitably record his next hit, Suzuki will be the 30th member of the 3,000-hit club. The vast majority of his 2,999 career hits -- 2,533 to be exact -- came with the Mariners.
Between Japan and MLB, Ichiro has 4,277 hits, the most in pro baseball history.
