Spring Training Report: Braves trip Red Sox 4-3 in 10
Kenshin Kawakami relished the opportunity to match up against fellow countryman Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka allowed two hits and an earned run over five innings in his return to the Boston Red Sox from the World Baseball Classic. Kawakami gave up a two-run homer to Rocco Baldelli for his only runs, and the Atlanta Braves rallied to beat the Red Sox 4-3 in 10 innings Monday.
More than 30 Japanese media members in the press box made the game a bit more intense for the starters.
“With so many media, I guess I felt a little more excited,” Kawakami said through an interpreter. “If I was in Japan, I’d probably enjoy (the matchup) also.”
Kawakami, who was signed by the Braves this winter after starring in Japan, pitched six innings and gave up four hits.
Matsuzaka, who was the MVP of the tournament, liked the timing of the pitching pairing as he adjusted from the pressure of the WBC to spring training.
“Luckily today, going up against Kenshin-san on the other side gave me a change to get revved up,” Matsuzaka said through an interpreter. “When I’m going up against any Japanese player, whether pitcher or position player, I’m always keeping an eye out on what kind of game they’re going to pitch or how they’re doing in the batter’s box.”
With the designated hitter being used, Kawakami didn’t get to hit against Matsuzaka, but the former MVP in Japan certainly showed again this spring that he can get major league hitters out.
Kawakami has a 1.74 ERA in five Grapefruit League games.
The Braves tied the game in the ninth on a single by Martin Prado and won it in the 10th on a double by Brooks Conrad.
It was the final Florida home game of the spring for the Braves.
Cardinals 2, Marlins 1: St. Louis reassigned Chris Perez to the minor leagues following their victory over Florida, clearing the way for Jason Motte to get the bulk of the work as the Cardinals’ closer.
Perez, a first round pick in 2006, experienced arm trouble earlier this spring. He entered Monday’s game having made eight one-inning appearances and allowed only two earned runs.
Perez’s departure means Motte will get first crack at saving games, though manager Tony La Russa probably will give opportunities to other relievers as well.
The Cardinals won the game in the ninth when Colby Rasmus led off with a single and was sacrificed to second. Following an intentional walk to Albert Pujols, Rasmus scored when Khalil Greene singled to center and Maybin’s throw home got away from catcher John Baker.
Yankees 3, Blue Jays 1: Andy Pettitte pitched into the seventh inning, Mark Teixeira drove in two runs and New York beat Toronto.
Pettitte allowed one run and five hits, struck out seven and walked none in 6 2/3 innings. Teixeira had two hits.
Toronto’s B.J. Ryan gave up one run and two hits in the eighth, and manager Cito Gaston said he might consider making Scott Downs the closer.