Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki had three hits and two RBIs -- both team highs -- in his second game with the New York Mets, who suffered an 8-6 defeat to the Houston Astros on Sunday.

With his team leading 3-1 in the second, Aoki, who was acquired by the Mets after being released by the Toronto Blue Jays last week, hit an RBI single against his former team to extend the lead at Minute Maid Park.

But the Astros, the first of the three teams Aoki has played for this season, scored five runs in the third that featured a three-run homer by Cameron Maybin off Mets starter Chris Flexen (3-4). George Springer then homered off Flexen in the fourth for the eventual game winner.

Norichika Aoki - New York Mets (Getty)

(Getty)

In the fifth, Aoki, batting second in the lineup a day after hitting leadoff on his Mets debut, drove home another run while reaching on a single, stealing third base and scoring on a bases-loaded walk. He doubled for his third hit of the day in the eighth.

"I used to always bat eighth or ninth with the Astros, so I'm happy with my high spot in the batting order," said the 35-year-old journeyman, playing for his seventh team in his six-year major league career.

"I'm in better condition than I was yesterday. I had a good eye at the plate when I drew a walk in the first inning, so I thought all I have to try to do was make solid contact. Right now I'm just focusing on delivering good results," he said.

Will Harris (3-2) earned the win for working a scoreless sixth.

At Marlins Park, Ichiro Suzuki surpassed Pete Rose to set an all-time major league record for game appearances with 3,563 combined in Japan and MLB, but the Miami Marlins fell to the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 in 12 innings.

While Suzuki was held to a groundout in his only pinch-hit at-bat in the eighth, Junichi Tazawa (3-4) was charged with two runs on two hits while walking one and recording two errors -- all in the 12th -- in taking the loss.

"My forkballs didn't drop enough. I regret allowing the first runner on base," said Tazawa, who allowed Daniel Nava to lead off the 12th with a single before he got himself in a one-out, two-on jam.

"The relief pitchers (before me) did their share and held together. For that I feel terrible," he said.