Matsuzaka wins the ALCS Game 7 - World Series Next

Boston, MA, October 21, 2007– Nikkan Sports News

Boston Red pitcher, Daisuke Matsuzaka got his “revenge”. He is the first Japanese pitcher in MLB to win a playoff game and go to the World Series. Matsuzaka started game seven against the Cleveland Indians. The ALCS series was tied at 3-3. He pitched five innings giving up two runs. It was his first victory out of three playoff games he pitched.

It is the Red Sox’s first American league championship since 2004. Matsuzaka will be matched up with Kazuo Matsui (31 years old), the Colorado Rockies infielder, who also played with the Seibu Lions in Japan.

Matsuzaka spread out a Japanese national flag and enjoyed the winning festivity. After he joined a Champaign fight with his teammates, he ran out to the field where his fans were waiting. He lifted up the championship trophy on the mound. He won the league championship game at home in Boston. He was able to show off his ability in this most important game.

Matsuzaka

“After losing three games, everyone told me ‘be ready. We’ll make you pitch one more time’. All of my teammates set me up for tonight’s game. I was able to respond to their thoughts.”

Allowing only two runs in five innings. Matsuzaka was able to show his skill for the first time in his three playoff starts. As the first Japanese playoff-winning pitcher, he threw 88 pitches to 20 batters. The victory tasted better for him especially when he was able to contribute as the wining pitcher.

Matsuzaka

“You can’t pitch this kind of game even if you want to pitch. At 3-3 in the series, my turn was up and I felt so lucky. I believed that we wouldn’t lose tonight because of the flow of the games.”

Matsuzaka started on September 28, when the Red Sox won the Division Championship.

He felt that it was such an honor and lucky to pitch in the historical game. It was his responsibility to do the best job on the mound. Matsuzaka was pushing 94 mph pitches from the first inning. He pitched so hard that his right leg was twisted towards the first base. In the fifth, after allowing a second run, Matsuzaka threw his ninth pitch, an outside change up to his last batter, Asdrubal Cabrera and struck him out swinging. Matsuzaka stuck out his right fist high in the air.

Matsuzaka

“For the game tonight, I focused on throwing with my best ability and not paying attention to the little things. I wanted to show people how badly I wanted to win.”

Matsuzaka couldn’t finish the fifth inning in the last two games. He lost on the 15th in Cleveland and he was so depressed in the locker room that he couldn’t talk to the press.

He was more likely upset because he couldn’t pitch long enough to show off his skill. Tonight, he could have gone six or seven innings.

Matsuzaka

“I still have the next (game). I’m not satisfied 100 percent. I have to go beyond the place where I’m now. I want to save it (making a perfect pitch) until the best stage.”

The World Series, the most important baseball games of the year, will open on 24th. It is the first experience for a Japanese pitcher to pitch for the series. It’s time for Matsuzaka to show his best to the world.

Written by Mamoru Shikama, Takaaki Yamauchi

Interpreted by Akisa Fukuzawa

This article was published on the Nikkan Sports News on October 23, 2007.

［October 25, 2007 7:44］