Ichiro gets 3,000th career hit

Giancarlo Stanton hit his 24th homer and Christian Yelich and Mathis had three hits and three RBIs each for the Marlins.

Nolan Arenado homered twice and drove in five runs for Colorado. Arenado leads the NL in home runs (29) and RBIs (87).

Adam Conley (8-6) allowed six runs in five innings. Fernando Rodney worked the ninth for his first save since coming to Miami on June 30 and 18th overall.

Jon Gray (8-5) was roughed up for eight runs and 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Ichiro was hitless in his first three at-bats of the game before he tagged Chris Rusin.

Ichiro launched a long drive to right field that carried just beyond the reach of leaping Gerardo Parra, and breezed into third standing up.

“When I got that hit the burden was lifted off,” Ichiro said.

Third base coach Lorenzo Bundy hugged Ichiro as Miami players came out of the dugout to congratulate him. He waved his helmet to acknowledge the cheers at Coors Field.

“We gave him a big hug and told him he deserved it,” said Dee Gordon, who was the first player to reach Ichiro as he stood on third. “That’s what you’re supposed to do. Show him his respect, show him that we respect his milestone.”

Ichiro was happy to share the moment with everyone. He appeared to become a little emotional when he was told fans at Safeco Field in Seattle stuck around after the Mariners game ended to watch him get 3,000.

“I don’t have words for how wonderful that is for them to show that and support me,” he said. “To have that special moment to share with the fans there, I don’t have any words how grateful I am.”

Hitting coach Barry Bonds gave him a hug as the celebration at third base ended, and Ichiro got another round of applause when he scored on Jeff Mathis’ single, as well as a hug from manager Don Mattingly.

“For me, it’s been an honor to watch him play, an honor to have managed him,” Mattingly said. “He honors our game the way he plays, the way he prepares. Everything he does is a tribute to the game of baseball. He shows our guys how you’re supposed to do it.”

Ichiro gave the crowd a wave as he went into the dugout. He batted again in the ninth and drew a walk.

Ichiro is in his 16th season in the majors. He got 1,278 hits while playing nine years in Japan before becoming the American League Rookie of the Year and MVP with Seattle in 2001.

Greeted with cheers every time he came to bat, Ichiro struck out in the first inning, hit a comebacker in the third and grounded out to short in the fourth.

“I’ve been feeling this for the last two weeks, not getting an opportunity to get in there and getting a pinch hit every night, that was tough,” he said. “I feel like I should have gotten this two years ago. It took a longer time than I thought it should have.”

At 42 years, 290 days he is the second-oldest player by three days over Ricky Henderson to reach the milestone. Only Cap Anson, who was 45 when he got his 3,000th hit in 1897, was older.

Ichiro said he hopes his milestone helps more Japanese succeed in the majors.

“It hasn’t been too long since Japanese players have started to come over here to play in the major leagues. There are still very few. I’ve been able to get some hits. We’re not there yet. There’s still more that we need to do as Japanese players.

“Hopefully this 3,000th hit will bring that bridge closer and maybe we’ll be able to have the Japanese players and have the fans understand Japanese baseball is good baseball. Hopefully this did that and bring that closer.”

Rene Lachemann, Colorado’s catching coach, went over to give Ichiro a hug as he left the field after the game.