- Error
| 01 May 2010
Daisuke Matsuzaka made his first start of the 2010 season, and despite picking up the loss, he was more efficient than normal with his pitch count. His total of 312 nearly surpassed his all-time low of 304 set back in 2007, when he went 3 and 2/3 innings against the Indians.
"It was nice to see Dice-K work so effectively," said Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. "312 pitches sounds like a lot, but for him thats an average outing of two to three innings. He actually pitched into the 5th. Usually Dice is throwing about 20 or 30 pitches per batter, but I think he only did that once or twice tonight. Maybe three times. Honestly I can't remember since the at-bats took so long."
Manager Terry Francona says even though this was economical by Dice-K's standards, he'd like to see an even lower total.
"If we can get him to throw in the 150 to 200 range I'd be happier, but really I don't care. We pay our pitchers to get guys out, and if it takes Dice-K 300 plus pitches to do it, he's simply doing his job. Really, really thoroughly."
Around the Web:
Game gets away from Dice-K, Red Sox (MLB.com)
Orioles Spoil Dice-K's Season Debut (Fanhouse)
Matsuzaka melts down in 5th as Red Sox lose (Projo Sox Blog)
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