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Hideki Irabu gave up five runs in 5 2/3 innings and took the loss in Seattle's 9-4 win. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)

ARLINGTON, Texas -- With the eyes of a nation upon them, Rangers starter Hideki Irabu and Seattle right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, two of Japan's most famous baseball players, took the same field for the first time in six years on Saturday at The Ballpark in Arlington.

"People in America don't understand. He is four years older than me and he is bigger than I was back then," Ichiro said. "I only said "hello" to him on the field."

For Irabu and the Rangers, it was reunion to forget.

Irabu (0-2) gave up five runs and eight hits in five 2/3 innings as the Mariners topped the Rangers 9-4 at The Ballpark. Seattle starter Paul Abbott (1-0) allowed four runs and seven hits for the victory, the Mariners' sixth in a row.

The loss was Irabu's sixth straight, the longest losing streak of his career.

Irabu and Ichiro last faced each other in 1996 when both played in the Japanese Pacific League. With Orix, Ichiro hit .293 (12-for-41) with two RBI against Irabu, who played for Chiba Lotte, over four seasons.

On Saturday, Ichiro hit a single off of Irabu to lead off the game and finished 1-for-3 off him and 2-for-4 for the game.

"I didn't really think about it," Irabu said of his reunion with Ichiro.

He likely didn't. He had other things on his mind. Like the fact that he held the Mariners' offense scoreless for the first four innings before Mike Cameron doubled and scored on a base-hit by Carlos Guillen for Seattle's first run in the fifth frame. Guillen scored when Dan Wilson followed a single up the middle to cut the Rangers' lead to 3-2.

"He has not changed as much as I imagined or kind of anticipated," Ichiro said. "He threw about 94 [mph] back then. I have changed myself, also, so it is hard to compare him today to back then because I have changed."

All appeared well for Irabu and the Rangers when Mariners third baseman Jeff Cirillo hit a bloop single to left field to lead off the sixth, but was picked off of first base by Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez.

One out later, John Olerud hit a single and moved to second base when Irabu unleashed a wild pitch.

Unfortunately for Texas, the errant pitch marked the beginning of the end for Rangers' pitcher. Cameron followed with a two-run home run to tie the game at four and Ruben Sierra hit a double to shallow centerfield.

And just like that, Irabu was done for the night. He was replaced by Colby Lewis.

"I think (Irabu) started off real well early," Rangers Manager Jerry Narron said. "He gave up a few bloop hits and then Cameron takes him deep on a fastball.

"These guys are a good ballclub. If you make a mistake, they are going to hit it."

Irabu made his debut with the Rangers as a reliever, but took the spot of injured starter Chan Ho Park in the rotation when the Rangers' No. 1 went down with a pulled right hamstring on April 4. In his first start, Irabu gave six hits and three runs in 5 1/3 innings against Anaheim. Whether he stays in starting the rotation will be decided this week.

"We'll talk about it and see where we are," Narron said. "He's a good pitcher."

Pudge off to slow start
Ranger's catcher Ivan Rodriguez is hitting .244 with five RBI but is 4-for-26 in his last seven games. He finished 1-for-4 on Saturday.

The nine-time All-Star has played in all 11 games, starting nine games behind the plate and two at designated hitter.

"He missed a lot of games last year and wasn't able to do the things he wanted to this winter," Rangers Manager Jerry Narron said. "That's the difference."

Rodriguez picked Jeff Cirillo off first base in the sixth inning. He is 1-for-4 in throwing out attempted base stealers this season.

Probables
Sunday vs. Seattle (2:05) -- John Halama, Mariners (1-0, 1.13) vs. Kenny Rogers (0-0, 3.27)
Monday vs. Seattle (7:05) -- James Baldwin, Mariners vs. Dave Burba
Tuesday at Anaheim (9:05) -- Doug Davis, Rangers (2-0, 1.13) vs. Aaron Sele (0-2, 9.90)
Wednesday at Anaheim (9:05) -- Ismael Valdes (0-2, 6.35) vs. Scott Schoeneweis (1-1, 5.79)

Briefly
Rafael Palmeiro needs one home run and five hits to become the 15th player in Major League history and the only active player with at least 450 home runs and 2,500 hits. ...Rangers closer Jeff Zimmerman will not throw until Monday. He has tendonitis in his right elbow and was throwing off of flat ground until Thursday when the workout was cut short because of discomfort. ... The Rangers have been outscored 13-4 in the first inning this season. ... Triple-A Oklahoma outfielder Ryan Ludwick homered for the third consecutive game on Friday.

Jesse Sanchez covers the Rangers for MLB.com. This story was subject to approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.