Call it a Dice-K domination, friends. In the longest outing by a Red Stocking all spring, Dice-K threw 5 2/3 innings and gave up one run, one single and one walk in Boston's 7-3 win against the Pirates. He fanned seven batters and even got a wee bit bashful.
"It's fairly rare for one to receive a standing ovation upon being taken out of a ballgame in the middle of an inning," Matsuzaka said. "So, as happy and as grateful as I was, at the same time I was a little bit embarrassed. I wasn't sure exactly how to respond."Ahhhh, how cute.
I'm still of the camp that even though the Japanese pitcher has performed well this spring for the most part, it doesn't mean a whole lot. No one in the majors has seen his stuff before and, because of that, he has a great chance of preforming well at the start of the season. They may, however, eventually figure him out. If Dice-K can be consistent the whole season, then we go ahead and give him a Denny Green crowning.
But not a moment before that.
Previously on the Fanhouse:
Schilling Has Very High Expectations for Dice-K
Matsuzaka Not Untouchable, Roughed Up By O's
Dice-K Looked Pretty Good Last Night
