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Red Sox 6, A's 5: Drew forced to back out of starting lineup »
March 25, 2008
BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer
TOKYO -- Earlier this week, in a quote sheet distributed to the media, Daisuke Matsuzaka expressed the hope that he would pitch "long innings" in his season-opening assignment against the Oakland A's.
The phrase was the result of some of poor translation, of course. What Matsuzaka was trying to say what that he wanted to pitch deep into the game.
But Tuesday, pitching in his native land, the prodigal pitcher almost took himself too literally. He needed 60 pitches to get through the first two innings and displayed poor command, walking four, hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch.
"I think he a little over-amped,'' said manager Terry Francona. "He was jerking pitches clear across the plate.''
The A's took advantage of his wildness to score two runs in the first, but Matsuzaka bailed himself out of further trouble in the second when he fanned Jack Cust to leave the bases loaded.
That seemed to serve as a turning point for Matsuzaka. Thanks to his high pitch count in the first two innings, Matsuzaka lasted only five. But over his final three innings he was nearly perfect, retiring 9 of the last 10 hitters he faced.
He did not allow another hit and issued just one more walk.
"I didn't feel that anxious in the early part of the game,'' he said. "But I think I was a little overly cautious because of my tendency to start slow. For my next start, I would like to be a little more assertive.''
Matsuzaka said that, despite the improved results, he didn't make any significant adjustments after the second inning.
"I didn't approach the game any different,'' he said. "I was given the opportunity to start on Opening Day and I did feel a little nervous. I felt my calf muscle tighten up a little in the second, which turned out to be a good thing actually. It helped me relax after the first inning on.''
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