Losing close games isn't always a matter of last-pitch home runs allowed or striking out with the bases loaded.

Ichiro Suzuki led off the game with a single Sunday and cost his team a run.

How?

On what lookedd like a routine soft line drive single to center field, Ichiro loped out of the batters box - and center fielder David DeJesus kicked the ball all the way into left field.

By the time Ichiro turned on the speed, and no, his hamstring is no longer an issue, he couldn't reach second base. He was erased on a subsequent double play, instead of taking third on a ground ball to the right side of the infield.

And had Ichiro hustled into second, then gone to third on that grounder, he'd have scored when Raul Ibanez flied out to right field.

Instead, Ibanez made the third out and the Mariners didn't score.
And that, folks, is one way to lose close games.