"Ichiro Suzuki batted .246 last month, one of the worst in his career, and his only response was to suggest: "It is what you see."

So, what did manager Don Wakamatsu see from his leadoff hitter in July?

"First of all, he'd be the last guy to tell you he was tired, but we've had off days and I don't think that's what happened," Wakamatsu said. "I see pitchers focus on him a little more, pitch him tougher."

Why?

"You look at our lineup, the middle of the order doesn't intimidate you," Wakamatsu said. "On every team, there is a hitter or two you pitch most carefully because you don't want that guy to beat you.

"With us, that's Ichiro."

What has Ichiro done to adjust?

Apparently, he's done what most good hitters do."