TOKYO — Dustin Ackley drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th inning and Ichiro went 4 for 5 as the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 3-1 today in baseball’s season-opener in Tokyo.
Brendan Ryan doubled to lead off the 11th, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Chone Figgins and scored on Ackley’s single to center.
Ichiro then gave Seattle an insurance run with a single to center off Oakland reliever Jerry Blevins that scored Ackley from second.
The capacity crowd of 44,227 at Tokyo Dome was a sea of flashbulbs every time Ichiro came to bat. He got a standing ovation when he took his position in right field in the final inning.
