There is no argument that Ichiro Suzuki will again be the star attraction for the Japanese team in its hunt for consecutive championships in the World Baseball Classic, but right now he isn't even a supporting cast member.
Ichiro has not found his touch on his barrel since the national squad's camp began in Miyazaki, going 3-for-23 in the six warmup games, which wrapped up on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over the defending Central League champion Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome.
Entering the game with a .167 batting average, manager Tatsunori Hara gave Ichiro the chance to have a change of pace, putting him on the leadoff spot for the first time since the exhibitions started. But it didn't help him do what everybody is expecting him to do — rack up hits.