Diasuke-mania swept into Kansas City yesterday like a tsunami-sized wave.
More than 200 media were on hand for Daisuke Matsuzaka’s major league debut, the most credentials the Royals have handed out since the seventh game of the 1985 World Series. The game was broadcast live in Japan, despite the fact first pitch was scheduled for just after 3 AM Japanese time. The end result? So far, the young kid is as good as advertised.
Royals’ hitters seemed helpless against Matsuzaka, who threw seven innings of one-run ball, striking out ten and walking just one in the BoSox 4-1 victory. The only blemish on the hurler’s record was a sixth-inning home run by KC’s David DeJesus.
Lost in the hype over Boston’s starting pitcher was Zack Grienke’s outing. Grienke, the former Kansas City top prospect who missed most of last season with social anxiety disorder, was almost as impressive as his counterpart. The right-hander went seven innings and struck out seven. He allowed two runs on eight hits.
The Royals host the defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers tonight. It is the first in a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium.