No dice by Jared Carrabis
Matsuzaka falls just four outs shy of no-hitter in Sox win


Four outs; just four more outs.

That's all that separated Daisuke Matsuzaka from history. Matsuzaka had baffled the defending National League Champions thought seven-and-a-third innings, having not surrendered a hit all evening.

Entering Saturday night's start, Matsuzaka had given up five earned runs in three of his first four starts of the season. In his four starts, Matsuzaka was averaging just over five-and-a-third innings per start, while having an average of 99.5 pitches per start.

Matsuzaka's best start came against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 11, a night in which the right-hander struck out nine batters through seven innings, yielding just one run. Before and after that start, Matsuzaka hasn't given up less than five runs, hasn't struck out more than four batters, hasn't walked less than three batters, and hasn't pitched more than 5.1 innings.

Saturday night in Philadelphia would be a start that would break all the rules for the dice man.

If you're pessimistic, then you'd be quick to point out the four walks in his outing against the Phillies. However, the no hits through seven and-two-thirds may sway you to the optimistic side of things.

In game one of the American League Championship Series against Tampa Bay, Matsuzaka held the Rays hitless into the seventh inning before surrendering his first hit. On Saturday night, the Japanese-born starter got just a tad bit closer to achieving his first professional no-hitter.

A broken-bat single by Juan Castro was the lone blemish on Daisuke's night. The blooper was just out of reach from the outstretched glove of Marco Scutaro, who after the game said, "I know the entire country of Japan hates me right now. Sorry, my bad."

With the help of highlight reel plays on behalf of Dustin Pedroia and Adrian Beltre (along with Matsuzaka himself), Daisuke would finish the night, having thrown eight one-hit, shutout innings. He walked four and struck out five in a 112-pitch gem.

The offense for Boston was provided by JD Drew, who singled in a run in the top of the fifth. David Ortiz, who got the start at first base over Kevin Youkilis, cranked a double out to right that brought home Boston's third run. After a visit to the mound to calm down Phillies start Kyle Kendrick, Adrian Beltre doubled home a pair of runs to give Boston a 5-0 lead.

That's what the scoreboard would remain to read upon the final out of the game, as Boston evens this series at one game a piece. Daniel Bard hurled a perfect ninth, keeping the one-hitter alive for the Boston pitching staff.

Final score: Red Sox 5, Phillies 0
WP: Daisuke Matsuzaka (3-1)
LP: Kyle Kendrick (2-2)

Game notes: Had Daisuke Matsuzaka completed his no-hit bid, it would have been the first no-hitter for the right-hander since hurling one in the Koshien Tournament in 1998.

Tweet of the Night:

The TOTN is a mind-blower by Sean McAdam of Comcast SportsNet:

@Sean_McAdam: Just thought: if DiceK had gotten 4 more outs, 60 percent of #RedSox rotation would own no-hitters. (Lester and Buchholz already have them).

Sunday's pitching match-up:

In the series finale, the Red Sox draw Roy Halladay. As predicted, Halladay has got off to a fantastic start, while pitching in the National League. Hallday boasts a 6-2 record, with his most recent loss coming in a complete game effort in which the right-hander gave up just two runs. His 1.64 ERA is the fourth lowest in baseball. At 14-14 against Boston, those 14 losses are the most against any team in baseball. Opposing Halladay will be Tim Wakefield, who is 3-1 with a 3.12 ERA in his career against the Phillies. It's also worth noting that in 37 interleague starts, Wakefield has pitches his way to 14 victories.

-Jared Carrabis

To order Jared's debut book, One Fan's Story: If This Hat Could Talk, click HERE!





Published on May 23, 2010

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