Miami Marlins' Ichiro Suzuki closing in on 3,000 hits

MIAMI -- Philadelphia Phillies manager Pete Mackanin started his pre-game chat with the media on Tuesday by talking about the opposing team, the Miami Marlins.

"I see Ichiro (Suzuki) is leading off (and playing center field)," Mackanin said. "Maybe give him two hits, but we have to win."

Indeed, Suzuki, who needs four hits to reach 3,000, started on Tuesday for the first time since last Thursday. Since then, he has had four pinch-hit appearances and gone 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Marlins manager Don Mattingly said Suzuki got the start primarily because center fielder Marcell Ozuna has slumped in the previous 14 games, batting just .173.

"(Ozuna) has been a little off kilter," Mattingly said. "Give him a day to sit. Give him a day to work on his swing. It's about getting (Ozuna) back on track, and that's where (Suzuki) has been so important for us."

Mattingly said Marlins executives have not pressured him to write Suzuki's name on the lineup card.

"Hopefully," Mattingly said, "Ich can get four hits tonight, and we can celebrate."