PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki thought about bunting before swinging away and hitting the ball a long way.
Suzuki’s pinch-hit three-run homer broke a tie in the seventh inning, Giancarlo Stanton added his major league-leading 46th homer and the Miami Marlins beat the Philadelphia Phillies 12-8 in the opener of a traditional doubleheader Tuesday.
Manager Don Mattingly didn’t send Suzuki to the plate to sacrifice so he’s happy he took a cut.
“Ich’s homer was huge, freed us up,” Mattingly said. “If he was bunting, it was on his own for a hit.”
Dan Straily (8-8) allowed three runs and two hits — homers to Rhys Hoskins and Cameron Rupp — while striking out 10 in six innings.