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AP
DENVER - The Boston Red Sox knew they were getting a big-game pitcher when they paid $103 million to lure Daisuke Matsuzaka from Japan.
They got a big-game hitter thrown in for free.
Matsuzaka pitched three-hit ball into the sixth inning in Game 3 Saturday night, helping himself out with a two-run single as the Red Sox beat Colorado 10-5 to move within one victory of another World Series sweep. It was his second consecutive postseason win and the sixth in a row for Boston.
“I felt more pressure going into Game 7 of the LCS, so today was easier,” Matsuzaka said through a translator. “But our team won, and I didn’t want to be the one to stop our momentum, so I am relieved.”
The first Japanese pitcher to start a World Series game, Matsuzaka produced the longest and strongest of his four starts in a postseason where he’s struggled to make it past the fifth inning. More surprising was the first-pitch single he added in Boston’s six-run third.
“I can’t quite say that I’m a confident hitter,” said Matsuzaka, who was 0-for-4 in interleague play. “But I love hitting.”
It was his first major-league hit and RBI.
“Two of ’em,” manager Terry Francona said. “We’ll take RBIs from anybody. I don’t know if you can count on that during a game.”
Matsuzaka struck out five, retiring eight in a row after hitting Garrett Atkins to start the second. He left with a 6-0 lead after walking consecutive batters with one out in the sixth; reliever Javier Lopez gave up consecutive singles to allow both baserunners to score.
Earlier, Matsuzaka made a nice play with his glove. He fielded Matt Holliday’s chopper in the first inning, turned around and got former Japanese teammate Kaz Matsui in a rundown.
A star in Japan who threw 250 pitches to win a 17-inning high school game and the MVP of the inaugural World Baseball Classic, Matsuzaka came to Boston after the Red Sox paid $51.11 million for the right to talk to him and another $52 million to sign him for six years.
He dined with team officials during the courtship at Red Sox owner Tom Werner’s house, where he caught a glimpse of the replica 2004 World Series trophy that came after a sweep of St. Louis.
“I felt that it was very beautiful and I was very moved,” Matsuzaka said. “At that point a lot of things were still in the air, but I definitely wanted to hold that trophy in my own hands one day.”
He might get his chance Sunday night. The trophy will be at Coors Field.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
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