Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki took Gio Gonzalez's first offering for a ball. He drilled the second pitch down the right-field line for a double and his 2,000th career hit.

Suzuki, who accumulated 1,278 hits in Japan, became the second fastest to 2,000 hits, recording it in his 1,402 major league game. Al Simmons did it in game 1,390.

Even before the ball fell in front of the Seattle bullpen, fans stood to cheer the Japanese baseball icon, who led off a game with a hit for the 436th time.

Suzuki has 128 hits in Oakland, his favorite road park. His 227 hits against the Athletics is his second most behind the 239 he has earned against the Texas Rangers.

Suzuki, the 259th player to reach the milestone, needs five hits for 200 on the season, which would break the record he shares with Willie Keeler for consecutive seasons (nine) with as many hits.

Third baseman Chipper Jones was held out of the lineup yesterday against the Cincinnati Reds with a strained oblique and lower back pain. Since his batting average reached a season-high .335 June 9, Jones is hitting .232 (59 for 254) over his past 70 games. He has only eight hits in his previous 66 at-bats since Atlanta's 4-1 loss to Philadelphia Aug. 16.

Right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka is scheduled to make a rehabilitation appearance with Class A Salem or Class A Greenville Wednesday. Matsuzaka, an 18-game winner last season, has been on the disabled list since June 21 with a right shoulder strain.

He allowed two solo homers in 41/3 innings during a rehabilitation start for Class AAA Pawtucket Friday. Matsuzaka is 1-5 with an 8.23 ERA in eight starts for the Red Sox.

Los Angeles is 9-0 against the Kansas City Royals this season and has won 33 of its past 43 games between the two clubs.