Japan pays tribute to Suzuki for passing Rose in hits

TOKYO (AP) Fans and dignitaries paid tribute to Ichiro Suzuki on Thursday after he raised his career hits total in the Japanese and North American major leagues to 4,257, passing Pete Rose's record Major League Baseball total.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said ''I think it's an amazing record. A Japanese athlete has once again made a monumental contribution and I feel tremendous pride.''

The 42-year-old Suzuki singled in the first inning against the San Diego Padres and doubled in the ninth to move past Rose, who had 4,256 hits over 24 seasons.

Suzuki had 1,278 hits for Orix in Japan's Pacific League (1992-00) and the rest with the Seattle Mariners, the New York Yankees and his current team, the Miami Marlins.