BALTIMORE -- Ichiro Suzuki went 5-for-5 in the first game of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday and produced another hit in one at-bat in the second game, boosting his average to an American-League high .355.

News photoSeattle's Ichiro Suzuki connects for a base hit during the first game of a doubleheader against the Orioles at Camden Yards. Ichiro went 6-for-6 in the two games and took the lead in the American League batting race. Baltimore swept the Mariners 9-7 and 5-4.

The Mariners lost both games as Ichiro took over the lead in the race for the batting title from Detroit Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who went hitless in a game against the Texas Rangers.