ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SOLVING SUZUKI.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

SEATTLE - Seattle Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki went into Friday's game against the Angels leading the American League in hitting with a .356 average. But the Angels have been one of a few teams to have relative success against the former Japanese League batting champion.

The Angels are one of only three teams in the AL to hold Ichiro under .300. Ichiro has hit .276 against the Yankees, .278 against the Royals and going into Friday's game, .290 against the Angels.

``What we're trying to do is take each pitcher and specifically deal with what they do best,'' said Angels pitching coach Bud Black. ``He's the type of guy you can't pitch one way. He's talented. He recognizes what a club's trying to do after his first couple at-bats.

``It's cliche stuff, but we try to keep the ball down and away, and pitch up and in. You just have to execute your pitches. His swing is rhythmic; there's a fluidity to it. So you try to disrupt his timing by changing speeds.''

Playing defense against Ichiro is another challenge for teams because of his speed. He often chops the ball to the left side of the infield and beats it out. Of his 115 hits this season, 27 didn't leave the infield.

``The shortstop can't play as deep because of his speed and his ability to chop the ball to that side,'' said manager Mike Scioscia. ``But that opens up holes. He presents challenges. He uses a lot of the field and spreads it out.''

--Kennedy a hit: Adam Kennedy has become the club's No. 2 hitter, but it took more than Scioscia simply writing Kennedy's name there on the lineup card.

Last season, Kennedy, from Cal State Northridge, hit too many fly balls and didn't draw enough walks to warrant hitting in the second spot. But his development this season convinced Scioscia that Kennedy is ready for it. He moved into the No. 2 spot for good on June 13 and responded by hitting in eight consecutive games heading into Friday's game, batting .387 (12 for 31) during that stretch.

``He's working walks and getting into more hitter's counts,'' Scioscia said. ``Now he's continuing to keep disciplined, which allows him to hit there. He's made great strides.''

--Hasegawa update: Reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa threw a two-inning simulated game Friday and said he felt good. Hasegawa, out since May 19 with a partial tear in the rotator cuff of his right shoulder, expects to begin a rehab assignment Monday for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

He'll pitch for the Quakes in two or three games and should be ready to rejoin the big-league club Friday in Anaheim when the Angels begin a series against the Mariners.

ANGELS vs. SEATTLE

Time: 7:05 p.m., at Safeco Field.

TV/Radio: Ch. 9; 570-AM, 1090-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Pat Rapp (1-7, 4.55 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Seattle's Jamie Moyer (8-2, 4.54). Since getting his only win of the season May 1 against the White Sox, Rapp is 0-4 with four no-decisions despite an ERA of 3.26 during that stretch. Third baseman Troy Glaus is the only Angel in the running to be voted into the starting lineup for the All-Star Game. He trails the Orioles' Cal Ripken 429,525-421,827 in the latest polling.

- Joe Haakenson

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ANGELS vs. SEATTLE (see text)