Ichiro ejection a career-first

TORONTO (AFP) - Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki(notes) was ejected from Saturday's game against the Blue Jays for arguing a called third strike, the first time in his career he's been thrown out of a game.

The prolific hitter used his bat to draw a line on the outer edge of the plate, demonstrating that he thought David Purcey's(notes) strike-three pitch was outside.

Home plate umpire Brian Runge immediately tossed Suzuki, who argued briefly before Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu walked him off the field.

Michael Saunders(notes) replaced Suzuki in the lineup.

Suzuki went 0-3, dropping his average to .353. He's second to Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer(notes) in the American League batting race.

Earlier this month, Suzuki became the first player in Major League Baseball history to get at least 200 hits in nine straight seasons.

He broke a tie with Willie Keeler, who reached 200 hits for eight straight seasons from 1894-1901.

Suzuki, in his ninth season in the majors, also reached the 2,000-hit plateau this month - the 259th major leaguer to get there.

He had never been thrown out of a game before, either in the States or in his playing days in Japan.