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Dodgers Beat Mets 2-0 in Japanese Pitching Duel
Beth Harris | July 23, 2010

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Los Angeles. Hiroki Kuroda outpitched countryman Hisanori Takahashi on Thursday in the sixth Major League Baseball meeting of Japanese starters.

Kuroda (8-8) allowed five hits, struck out four and walked one in eight innings to help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Mets 2-0. He picked up his first win since a June 26 outing against the New York Yankees.

He is the top Japan-born starting pitcher in MLB history, with a 3.67 ERA in 71 games.

“There were so many lefties and my outside sinker and my split-finger fastball were really good,” Kuroda said.

Hong-Chih Kuo, who is Taiwanese, pitched the ninth for his third save. The left-hander hasn’t given up a run in 16 1-3 innings at home.

Takahashi (7-5) gave up two runs and three hits in seven innings, struck out five and walked two. The left-hander retired 10 in a row at one point.

“I think [Takahashi] wanted to prove that he can still start and be a contributor at this level,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. “That’s the motivation that he has. He wants to stay in the rotation, which is what you want.”

The Dodgers gave Kuroda just enough support, with outfielder Matt Kemp hitting a homer and driving in both runs for the Dodgers.

“Two great performances in a row,” Kemp said. “Kuroda came in and pitched strikes, kept the ball on the ground and kept runners off base.”

Kuroda and Takahashi planned to have dinner together after the game.

“I’m happy because I did what I’m supposed to do, so I don’t feel any frustration right now because that’s baseball,” Takahashi said through a translator. “I did a great job and he did a great job.”

Takahashi, who played for the Yomiuri Giants, and Kuroda, who pitched for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, faced each other six times in Japan, with Kuroda going 4-0 in those matchups.

“I really didn’t know I was 4-0. You should’ve told me. I would’ve pitched differently,” Kuroda said through a translator.


Associated Press