Posted on March 30, 2009 by Andrew Flynn
Kawakami Nets a Draw Against Matsuzaka in Japanese Tilt
Kenshin Kawakami pitched six innings and allowed two runs Monday as the Braves topped the Red Sox 4-3 in 10 innings. The duel of Japanese pitchers was pretty much a stalemate, with Daisuke Matsuzaka yielding two runs — one earned — in five innings. Rocco Baldelli homered for the only two runs off Kawakami, who allowed four hits, walked two and struck out four. He walked two and had four strikeouts to lower his spring ERA to 1.74. The only two runs he allowed came on a two-run homer to Rocco Baldelli. “I felt like I pitched well,” said Kawakami. “He was real good again,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said. “He had that knee-buckling curve. I don’t think anyone had a good swing at it. There aren’t too many good hooks around anymore. It’s a big weapon for him.” The Braves tabbed Derek Lowe as the Opening Day starter and Lowe will start twice in the team’s first five games due to scheduling and off days. That pushes Kawakami back until the second game of the series against the Nationals. Kawakami is a decent late-round flier in deeper leagues for his potential to win 12-plus games for a sleeper contender in the NL East. He probably won’t be another Matsuzaka or anything, but he’s off to a good start in majors. (CBS Sports)