YU DARVISH.COM

Dice-K 2.0?

admin — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:48:59 +0000

An in-depth ESPN feature on Yu Darvish, including his role as a tabloid star in Japan.

Iwakuma outduels Darvish in Season Opener

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:32:17 +0000

Yu Darvish allowed three first-inning runs, then settled down and went the distance, coming up on the losing end of a 3-1 decision to Tohoku Rakuten Eagles. Darvish hurled 121 pitches in the complete game, allowing just the three earned runs on 8 hits, striking out 5 and walking none. Hisashi Iwakuma, Darvish’s teammate in the World Baseball Classic, allowed one run on six hits in six innings, with no walks or strikeouts.

More Opening Day coverage

Ichiro FTW!

admin — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:00:11 +0000

WBC bracket

Japan defeats Korea in 10 innings to successfully defend WBC title. Japanese icon Ichiro hit a game-winning two-run single to propel Japan to its second World Baseball Classic championship in two tries.

Korea scored 1 run in the bottom of the ninth inning off Yu Darvish, but Japan countered with two runs in the top of the tenth to go on top for good. Darvish picked up the win, striking out 5 batters in his two innings. Hisashi Iwakuma pitched 7.2 solid innings in the start for Japan.

Japan (1-0) 5, Korea (0-1) 3
March 23, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	R	H	E
Japan	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	2	5	15	0
Korea	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	1	0	3	5	1

Japan	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Suzuki, RF	6	0	4	2	0	0	2	.280
Nakajima, SS	3	1	2	1	1	0	1	.222
Aoki, CF	4	0	1	0	2	0	3	.400
Johjima, C	5	0	0	0	1	2	11	.211
Ogasawara, 1B	5	0	1	1	0	3	6	.294
Uchikawa, LF	5	2	3	0	0	0	0	.385
Kurihara, DH	2	0	0	0	0	1	3	.000
a-Inaba, PH-DH	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	.417
Iwamura, 2B	3	1	1	1	1	1	0	.467
Kataoka, 3B	4	1	2	0	0	0	1	.308
b-Kawasaki, PH-3B	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.333
Iwakuma, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Sugiuchi, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Darvish, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	40	5	15	5	5	7	29	.375






a-Grounded out for Kurihara in the 6th. b-Popped out for Kataoka in the 10th.

BATTING 2B: Inaba (1, Ryu), Suzuki (1, Lim). TB: Suzuki 5; Nakajima 2; Aoki; Ogasawara; Uchikawa 3; Inaba 2; Iwamura; Kataoka 2. RBI: Ogasawara (1), Nakajima (1), Iwamura (1), Suzuki 2 (2). 2-out RBI: Suzuki 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Ogasawara 2; Suzuki; Kataoka; Johjima 2. S: Nakajima; Inaba. SF: Iwamura. GIDP: Kurihara; Johjima. Team LOB: 14. BASERUNNING SB: Kataoka (1, 2nd base off Jong/Park, Ky). CS: Aoki (1, 2nd base by Jong/Park, Ky). FIELDING Outfield assists: Uchikawa (Ko at 2nd base). DP: (Johjima-Nakajima).

Korea	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Lee, Y, CF-LF	4	0	0	0	1	1	2	.300
Lee, Jin, DH	3	0	0	0	0	2	1	.143
b-Jeong, PH-DH	2	0	0	0	0	2	1	.300
Kim, H, LF	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	.250
1-Lee, Jong, PR-CF	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Kim, T, 1B	3	0	0	0	1	0	1	.231
2-Lee, T, PR-1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.200
Choo, RF	4	1	1	1	0	2	2	.143
Lee, B, 3B	4	1	2	1	0	1	0	.467
Ko, 2B	4	0	1	0	0	1	3	.375
Park, Ky, C	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
a-Lee, D, PH	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	.167
Kang, C	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.000
Park, Ki, SS	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	.100
c-Choi, PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
Bong, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Jong, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Ryu, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Lim, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	32	3	5	3	5	11	11	.156

a-Hit a sacrifice fly for Park, Ky in the 8th. b-Struck out for Lee, Jin in the 9th. c-Struck out for Park, Ki in the 10th. 1-Ran for Kim, H in the 9th. 2-Ran for Kim, T in the 9th.

BATTING 2B: Lee, B (1, Iwakuma). HR: Choo (1, 5th inning off Iwakuma, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Kim, H; Choo 4; Lee, B 3; Ko. RBI: Choo (1), Lee, D (1), Lee, B (1). 2-out RBI: Lee, B. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Ko. SF: Lee, D. Team LOB: 5. BASERUNNING CS: Lee, Y (1, 2nd base by Iwakuma/Johjima). FIELDING E: Ko (1, fielding). DP: 3 (Lee, B-Ko-Kim, T 2, Park, Ky-Park, Ki).

Japan	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Iwakuma	7.2	4	2	2	2	6	1	1.23
Sugiuchi (H, 1)	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Darvish (BS, 1)(W, 1-0)	2.0	1	1	1	3	5	0	3.86
Totals	10.0	5	3	3	5	11	1	2.70

Korea	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Bong	4.0	6	1	0	3	1	0.96
Jong	3.1	4	2	2	0	4	3.00
Ryu	0.2	1	0	0	0	0	5.40
Lim (L, 0-1)	2.0	4	2	2	2	2	6.75
Totals	10.0	15	5	4	5	7	3.60

Bong pitched to 2 batters in the 5th.

IBB: Aoki (by Lim), Aoki (by Lim).
HBP: Nakajima (by Lim).
Pitches-strikes: Iwakuma 97-55, Sugiuchi 5-2, Darvish 41-25, Bong 94-56, Jong 41-25, Ryu 10-5, Lim 47-27.
Groundouts-flyouts: Iwakuma 7-8, Sugiuchi 0-1, Darvish 0-1, Bong 10-1, Jong 4-1, Ryu 1-1, Lim 1-3.
Batters faced: Iwakuma 27, Sugiuchi 1, Darvish 10, Bong 21, Jong 12, Ryu 3, Lim 13.
Inherited runners-scored: Sugiuchi 1-0, Jong 2-0, Ryu 1-1.
Umpires: HP: Derryl Cousins. 1B: Carlos Rey. 2B: Ron Kulpa. 3B: Willie Rodriguez. LF: Paul Emmel. RF: Paul Hyham.
Weather: 66 degrees, clear.
Wind: 10 mph, Out to CF.
T: 4:00.
Att: 54,846.

Compiled by MLB Advanced Media

Japan defeats United States to reach WBC championship game

admin — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:16:47 +0000

Yu Darvish celebrates after finishing off Team USA on Sunday. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Japan defeated the United States 9-4 to advance to the WBC finals against Korea. The teams split two games in Pool A at the Tokyo Dome and split two games at PETCO Park in the second round. Japan won the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, while Korea captured gold in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Japan (1-0) 9, United States (0-1) 4
March 22, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
United States	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	4	9	3
Japan	0	1	0	5	0	0	0	3	x	9	10	1

United States	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Roberts, 2B	5	1	1	1	0	2	1	.438
Jeter, SS	5	0	1	0	0	0	0	.200
Rollins, DH	4	1	4	0	1	0	0	.467
Wright, 3B	5	0	1	1	0	3	5	.316
Dunn, RF	4	0	0	0	1	3	4	.235
Braun, LF	4	1	1	0	0	1	2	.364
McCann, C	1	1	0	0	3	0	0	.375
DeRosa, 1B	4	0	1	2	0	0	2	.294
Granderson, CF	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	.222
a-Longoria, PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
Victorino, CF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.250
Oswalt, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Grabow, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Howell, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Thornton, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Hanrahan, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Shields, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	36	4	9	4	5	10	17	.250

a-Struck out for Granderson in the 8th.

BATTING 2B: Wright (1, Matsuzaka), Braun (1, Mahara), DeRosa (1, Mahara). 3B: Rollins (1, Tanaka, M). HR: Roberts (1, 1st inning off Matsuzaka, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Roberts 4; Jeter; Rollins 6; Wright 2; Braun 2; DeRosa 2. RBI: Roberts (1), Wright (1), DeRosa 2 (2). 2-out RBI: Wright. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Dunn 3; Braun; Wright; Roberts. Team LOB: 10. BASERUNNING SB: Rollins (1, 2nd base off Matsuzaka/Johjima). FIELDING E: Wright (1, throw), Roberts (1, fielding), Jeter (1, throw).

Japan	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Suzuki, RF	5	1	1	1	0	0	3	.167
Nakajima, SS	5	0	2	2	0	2	3	.182
Aoki, LF-CF	5	0	0	0	0	1	3	.333
Inaba, DH	2	2	1	0	1	0	0	.417
a-Kurihara, PH-DH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Ogasawara, 1B	4	1	2	0	0	2	0	.375
Fukudome, CF	3	1	0	0	1	1	2	.154
1-Kataoka, PR	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.222
Kamei, LF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.000
Johjima, C	1	0	1	2	0	0	0	.333
Iwamura, 2B	4	1	1	1	0	0	3	.438
Kawasaki, 3B	4	2	2	1	0	0	0	.500
Matsuzaka, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Sugiuchi, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Tanaka, M, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Mahara, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Darvish, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	34	9	10	7	2	7	14	.294

a-Struck out for Inaba in the 7th. 1-Ran for Fukudome in the 8th.

BATTING 2B: Nakajima 2 (2, Oswalt, Shields). 3B: Iwamura (1, Oswalt). TB: Suzuki; Nakajima 4; Inaba; Ogasawara 2; Johjima; Iwamura 3; Kawasaki 2. RBI: Johjima 2 (2), Iwamura (1), Kawasaki (1), Nakajima 2 (2), Suzuki (1). 2-out RBI: Nakajima 2; Suzuki. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Aoki 3; Nakajima. S: Johjima. SF: Johjima 2. Team LOB: 6. BASERUNNING SB: Kawasaki (1, 2nd base off Shields/McCann). FIELDING E: Aoki (1, fielding).

United States	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Oswalt (L, 0-1)	3.2	6	6	4	1	1	4.70
Grabow	1.1	0	0	0	0	2	2.45
Howell	1.0	2	0	0	0	1	0.00
Thornton	1.0	0	0	0	0	3	13.50
Hanrahan	0.2	0	2	0	1	0	0.00
Shields	0.1	2	1	1	0	0	3.38
Totals	8.0	10	9	4	2	7	4.50

Japan	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Matsuzaka (W, 1-0)	4.2	5	2	2	3	4	1	1.69
Sugiuchi (H, 1)	1.1	0	0	0	1	1	0	0.00
Tanaka, M	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	4.50
Mahara	1.0	2	2	2	1	1	0	6.00
Darvish	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	3.00
Totals	9.0	9	4	4	5	10	1	4.00

Pitches-strikes: Oswalt 66-39, Grabow 14-11, Howell 12-10, Thornton 12-10, Hanrahan 14-5, Shields 10-7, Matsuzaka 98-57, Sugiuchi 20-11, Tanaka, M 16-10, Mahara 30-19, Darvish 21-12.
Groundouts-flyouts: Oswalt 5-5, Grabow 2-0, Howell 1-1, Thornton 0-0, Hanrahan 2-0, Shields 1-0, Matsuzaka 8-2, Sugiuchi 0-3, Tanaka, M 1-0, Mahara 1-1, Darvish 1-0.
Batters faced: Oswalt 20, Grabow 4, Howell 5, Thornton 3, Hanrahan 4, Shields 3, Matsuzaka 22, Sugiuchi 5, Tanaka, M 4, Mahara 6, Darvish 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Grabow 1-0, Shields 1-1, Sugiuchi 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Paul Emmel. 1B: Paul Hyham. 2B: Derryl Cousins. 3B: Carlos Rey. LF: Ron Kulpa. RF: Willie Rodriguez.
Weather: 58 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 10 mph, L to R.
T: 3:15.
Att: 43,630.

Compiled by MLB Advanced Media

Darvish struggles in first inning as Korea beats Japan 4-1

admin — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:32:10 +0000

Team Korea scratched its way to three runs off of Team Japan ace Yu Darvish in the first inning, then cruised to a 4-1 win to put them into the semi-finals. Japan will face Cuba Thursday in a showdown for the last semifinal berth.

Darvish hurled 5 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 7 and giving up just the three first inning runs, two of them earned.

Korea (2-0) 4, Japan (1-1) 1
March 17, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Japan	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	7	1
Korea	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	x	4	4	0

Japan	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Suzuki, RF	4	0	0	1	0	0	3	.000
Kataoka, SS	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	.143
b-Kawasaki, PH-SS	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.500
Aoki, LF	3	0	0	0	1	0	0	.167
Murata, 3B	3	0	2	0	0	0	1	.500
Ogasawara, 1B	3	0	1	0	1	2	2	.429
Uchikawa, DH	2	0	0	0	0	0	3	.200
a-Inaba, PH-DH	2	0	1	0	0	0	1	.333
Fukudome, CF	4	1	1	0	0	1	2	.250
Johjima, C	3	0	1	0	0	1	1	.429
Ishihara, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
c-Abe, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000
Iwamura, 2B	3	0	1	0	1	1	3	.500
Darvish, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Yamaguchi, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Watanabe, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Wakui, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Iwata, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Tanaka, M, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	32	1	7	1	3	5	19	.284

a-Grounded out for Uchikawa in the 6th. b-Popped out for Kataoka in the 8th. c-Flied out for Ishihara in the 9th.

BATTING TB: Murata 2; Ogasawara; Inaba; Fukudome; Johjima; Iwamura. RBI: Suzuki (2). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Iwamura. GIDP: Kataoka; Uchikawa. Team LOB: 8. FIELDING E: Kataoka (1, missed catch). DP: (Kataoka-Iwamura-Ogasawara).

Korea	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Lee, Y, CF-LF	4	1	1	0	0	1	0	.500
Jeong, 2B	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.250
Ko, 2B	1	1	0	0	1	1	0	.500
Kim, H, LF	3	1	0	1	0	0	0	.200
Lee, Jong, CF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Kim, T, 1B	2	0	1	0	2	0	0	.429
Choo, DH	2	0	0	0	0	1	4	.000
a-Lee, D, PH-DH	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.333
1-Lee, T, PR-DH	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000
Lee, Jin, RF	2	0	1	2	2	1	0	.333
Lee, B, 3B	3	0	0	1	1	0	4	.429
Park, Ky, C	4	0	0	0	0	3	3	.000
Park, Ki, SS	3	0	0	0	0	2	0	.143
Bong, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Yoon, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Kim, K, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Lim, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	27	4	4	4	7	9	13	.267



a-Walked for Choo in the 6th. 1-Ran for Lee, D in the 6th.

BATTING TB: Lee, Y; Jeong; Kim, T; Lee, Jin. RBI: Kim, H (1), Lee, Jin 2 (2), Lee, B (2). 2-out RBI: Lee, B. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Lee, B; Park, Ky 2. S: Lee, Jong. GIDP: Lee, B. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING SB: Lee, Y (2, 2nd base off Darvish/Johjima). FIELDING DP: 2 (Lee, B-Jeong-Kim, T, Park, Ki-Jeong-Kim, T).

Japan	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Darvish (L, 0-1)	5.0	4	3	2	1	7	3.60
Yamaguchi	0.2	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Watanabe	1.0	0	0	0	2	1	0.00
Wakui	1.0	0	1	1	2	0	9.00
Iwata	0.0	0	0	0	2	0	0.00
Tanaka, M	0.1	0	0	0	0	1	0.00
Totals	8.0	4	4	3	7	9	1.59

Korea	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Bong (W, 1-0)	5.1	3	1	1	3	1	0	1.69
Yoon (H, 2)	2.1	3	0	0	0	2	0	0.00
Kim, K (H, 2)	0.2	1	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Lim (S, 1)	0.2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Totals	9.0	7	1	1	3	5	0	1.50

Iwata pitched to 2 batters in the 8th.

IBB: Kim, T (by Wakui).
HBP: Murata (by Bong).
Pitches-strikes: Darvish 85-51, Yamaguchi 5-5, Watanabe 23-10, Wakui 22-12, Iwata 12-4, Tanaka, M 4-3, Bong 79-50, Yoon 37-25, Kim, K 10-7, Lim 8-5.
Groundouts-flyouts: Darvish 6-2, Yamaguchi 1-1, Watanabe 0-2, Wakui 2-1, Iwata 0-0, Tanaka, M 0-0, Bong 12-3, Yoon 1-4, Kim, K 1-0, Lim 0-1.
Batters faced: Darvish 20, Yamaguchi 2, Watanabe 5, Wakui 5, Iwata 2, Tanaka, M 1, Bong 21, Yoon 10, Kim, K 3, Lim 2.
Inherited runners-scored: Iwata 2-1, Tanaka, M 3-0, Kim, K 1-0, Lim 1-0.
EjectionsJapan Japan catcher Kenji Johjima ejected by HP umpire Hunter Wendelstedt. (7th).
Umpires: HP: Hunter Wendelstedt. 1B: Carlos Rey. 2B: Joe West. 3B: Willie Rodriguez.
Weather: 63 degrees, clear.
Wind: 8 mph, L to R.
T: 3:21.
Att: 15,332.

Daisuke shines as Japan blanks Cuba 6-0

admin — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:00:59 +0000

2006 WBC star Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched 6 scoreless innings, scattering five hits while striking out 8 versus no walks, as Team Japan gained a criticial victory over Cuba 6-0 on March 15. Japan will play Tuesday night, attempting to clinch a spot in the WBC semifinals in Los Angeles.

Japan (1-0) 6, Cuba (0-1) 0
March 15, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Japan	0	0	3	1	1	0	0	0	1	6	12	2
Cuba	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0

Japan	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Suzuki, RF	5	1	0	1	0	1	4	.000
Kataoka, SS	4	1	1	0	0	0	1	.250
a-Kawasaki, PH-SS	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	1.000
Aoki, LF	3	0	1	1	1	0	0	.333
Murata, 3B	3	1	1	2	0	1	1	.333
Ogasawara, DH-1B	4	0	2	0	1	1	1	.500
Uchikawa, 1B	3	0	1	1	1	1	2	.333
b-Inaba, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000
Fujikawa, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Fukudome, CF	4	0	1	0	0	3	0	.250
Johjima, C	4	1	2	0	0	0	3	.500
Iwamura, 2B	3	1	2	0	1	1	3	.667
Matsuzaka, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Iwakuma, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Mahara, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	35	6	12	5	4	8	16	.343





a-Singled for Kataoka in the 9th. b-Grounded out for Uchikawa in the 9th.

BATTING 2B: Johjima (1, Jimenez). TB: Kataoka; Kawasaki; Aoki; Murata; Ogasawara 2; Uchikawa; Fukudome; Johjima 3; Iwamura 2. RBI: Aoki (1), Murata 2 (2), Suzuki (1), Uchikawa (1). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Murata; Uchikawa; Iwamura 2; Suzuki; Inaba. S: Aoki. SF: Murata. Team LOB: 9. BASERUNNING SB: Aoki (1, 2nd base off Chapman/Pestano). CS: Uchikawa (1, 2nd base by Chapman/Pestano). PO: Ogasawara (1st base by Chapman), Uchikawa (1st base by Chapman). FIELDING E: Suzuki (1, fielding), Johjima (1, fielding). DP: 2 (Kataoka-Iwamura-Uchikawa 2).

Cuba	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Cespedes, CF	4	0	2	0	0	1	0	.500
Enriquez, 3B	4	0	1	0	0	1	2	.250
Cepeda, LF	4	0	3	0	0	0	0	.750
Peraza, DH	4	0	0	0	0	3	5	.000
Gourriel, 2B	4	0	1	0	0	1	3	.250
Despaigne, RF	4	0	0	0	0	2	2	.000
Anderson, 1B	3	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
Pestano, C	2	0	1	0	0	1	0	.500
a-Merino, PH-C	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
Paret, SS	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
b-Martin, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Navas, SS	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Chapman, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Gonzalez, N, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Jimenez, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Gonzalez, Y, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Maya, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Ulacia, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Garcia, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	33	0	8	0	0	12	15	.242

a-Struck out for Pestano in the 7th. b-Bunted out for Paret in the 8th.

BATTING 2B: Cepeda (1, Fujikawa). TB: Cespedes 2; Enriquez; Cepeda 4; Gourriel; Pestano. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Gourriel; Peraza; Despaigne. GIDP: Paret; Enriquez. Team LOB: 6. FIELDING Pickoffs: Chapman 2 (Ogasawara at 1st base, Uchikawa at 1st base).

Japan	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Matsuzaka (W, 1-0)	6.0	5	0	0	0	8	0	0.00
Iwakuma	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	0.00
Mahara	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Fujikawa	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	0.00
Totals	9.0	8	0	0	0	12	0	0.00

Cuba	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Chapman (L, 0-1)	2.1	3	3	3	3	1	11.57
Gonzalez, N	0.1	2	0	0	0	0	0.00
Jimenez	1.2	4	2	2	0	2	10.80
Gonzalez, Y	1.2	1	0	0	0	2	0.00
Maya	1.2	0	0	0	1	2	0.00
Ulacia	0.2	2	1	1	0	0	13.50
Garcia	0.2	0	0	0	0	1	0.00
Totals	9.0	12	6	6	4	8	6.00

WP: Gonzalez, N, Garcia.
Balk: Ulacia.
HBP: Murata (by Jimenez).
Pitches-strikes: Matsuzaka 86-61, Iwakuma 12-10, Mahara 8-5, Fujikawa 19-13, Chapman 50-27, Gonzalez, N 10-7, Jimenez 41-28, Gonzalez, Y 30-16, Maya 30-20, Ulacia 16-12, Garcia 9-6.
Groundouts-flyouts: Matsuzaka 7-3, Iwakuma 1-0, Mahara 3-0, Fujikawa 0-1, Chapman 3-1, Gonzalez, N 0-1, Jimenez 3-0, Gonzalez, Y 1-2, Maya 0-3, Ulacia 1-1, Garcia 1-0.
Batters faced: Matsuzaka 22, Iwakuma 4, Mahara 3, Fujikawa 4, Chapman 11, Gonzalez, N 3, Jimenez 10, Gonzalez, Y 6, Maya 6, Ulacia 4, Garcia 2.
Inherited runners-scored: Gonzalez, N 3-3, Jimenez 2-0, Gonzalez, Y 2-0, Garcia 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Hunter Wendelstedt. 1B: Carlos Rey. 2B: Bill Miller. 3B: Willie Rodriguez.
Weather: 58 degrees, sunny.
Wind: 5 mph, L to R.
T: 3:33.
Att: 20,179.

Scouts, Major Leaguers impressed by Darvish

admin — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:45:09 +0000

NPB Tracker reports that over 20 scouts from 10+ teams attended the exhibition game between Team Japan and the Chicago Cubs. A San Francisco Giants scout says they would be interested in Darvish if he were interested in pitching in the Majors (he’s repeatedly stated that he intends to stay in Japan, and isn’t eligible to become a free agent until 2014).

Cubs stars Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Zambrano also had positive comments on Darvish and his pitches.

2 more scoreless innings for Darvish

admin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:04:41 +0000

Yu Darvish threw two more scoreless frames against the Chicago Cubs, allowing two hits and two walks in a mid-tournament brush-up. Team Japan went 2-1 in Pool A of the World Baseball Classic to advance to Pool 1 in the next round.

Darvish hurls 4 no-hit innings as Japan blanks China 4-0 in WBC opener

admin — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:08:24 +0000

Japanese starter Yu Darvish struck out three and walked one over four no-hit innings. (Getty Images)

Yu Darvish was up to the challenge of being tabbed as the starting pitcher for the first game of the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He pitched 4 no-hit innings, allowing just one walk and striking out three batters before yielding to Hideaki Wakui in the fifth inning.

More coverage at WorldBaseballClassic.com

Box Score

Japan (1-0) 4, China (0-1) 0
March 5, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
China	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	2
Japan	0	0	3	0	0	1	0	0	x	4	5	0

China	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Sun, L, CF	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	.250
Hou, DH	4	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000
Chang, SS	4	0	1	0	0	2	1	.250
Feng, F, RF	3	0	1	0	0	1	1	.333
Wang, C, LF	2	0	0	0	1	0	1	.000
Liu, G, 2B	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	.333
Chu, 1B	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000
Jia, D, 3B	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
a-Chen, Hao, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000
Zhang, F, 3B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Zhang, Z, C	2	0	0	0	0	2	0	.000
b-Yang, PH	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1.000
Li, C, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Chen, J, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Sun, G, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Liu, K, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	29	0	5	0	1	5	8	.172



a-Lined out for Jia, D in the 8th. b-Singled for Zhang, Z in the 9th.

BATTING TB: Sun, L; Chang; Feng, F; Liu, G; Yang. GIDP: Wang, C; Hou. Team LOB: 3. BASERUNNING CS: Wang, C (1, 2nd base by Darvish/Johjima). FIELDING E: Sun, L (1, fielding), Chang (1, fielding). PB: Zhang, Z 2 (2). DP: (Liu, G-Chang-Chu).

Japan	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Suzuki, RF	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	.000
Nakajima, SS	1	1	0	0	3	0	1	.000
Aoki, LF-CF	4	0	2	0	0	1	3	.500
Inaba, DH	4	1	1	0	0	1	3	.250
Murata, 3B	4	1	1	2	0	1	3	.250
Ogasawara, 1B	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	.250
Fukudome, CF	0	1	0	0	4	0	0	.000
1-Kataoka, PR-2B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Johjima, C	3	0	0	0	1	0	4	.000
2-Kamei, PR-LF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Iwamura, 2B	4	0	0	0	0	1	4	.000
Abe, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Darvish, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Wakui, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Yamaguchi, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Tanaka, M, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Mahara, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Fujikawa, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	29	4	5	2	8	4	24	.172

1-Ran for Fukudome in the 8th. 2-Ran for Johjima in the 8th.

BATTING 2B: Aoki (1, Li, C), Inaba (1, Sun, G). HR: Murata (1, 3rd inning off Li, C, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Aoki 3; Inaba 2; Murata 4; Ogasawara. RBI: Murata 2 (2). 2-out RBI: Murata 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Murata 2; Iwamura; Aoki 2; Nakajima; Ogasawara. GIDP: Johjima. Team LOB: 9. BASERUNNING SB: Kataoka (1, 2nd base off Liu, K/Zhang, Z), Nakajima (1, 2nd base off Li, C/Zhang, Z). FIELDING DP: 2 (Iwamura-Nakajima-Ogasawara 2).

China	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Li, C (L, 0-1)	3.0	4	3	3	3	1	1	9.00
Chen, J	2.0	0	1	1	3	0	0	4.50
Sun, G	2.0	1	0	0	1	3	0	0.00
Liu, K	1.0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0.00
Totals	8.0	5	4	4	8	4	1	4.50

Japan	IP	H	BB	SO
Darvish (W, 1-0)	4.0	0	1	3
Wakui (H, 1)	2.0	1	0	1
Yamaguchi	0.2	1	0	0
Tanaka, M	0.1	1	0	0
Mahara	1.0	1	0	0
Fujikawa	1.0	1	0	1
Totals	9.0	5	1	5

Chen, J pitched to 1 batter in the 6th.

WP: Li, C.
Balk: Sun, G.
IBB: Nakajima (by Chen, J).
Pitches-strikes: Li, C 61-32, Chen, J 43-20, Sun, G 37-25, Liu, K 18-10, Darvish 46-26, Wakui 26-17, Yamaguchi 7-7, Tanaka, M 7-5, Mahara 10-5, Fujikawa 20-13.
Groundouts-flyouts: Li, C 6-2, Chen, J 3-3, Sun, G 2-1, Liu, K 1-2, Darvish 5-3, Wakui 5-0, Yamaguchi 2-0, Tanaka, M 1-0, Mahara 2-1, Fujikawa 1-1.
Batters faced: Li, C 15, Chen, J 10, Sun, G 8, Liu, K 4, Darvish 12, Wakui 6, Yamaguchi 2, Tanaka, M 2, Mahara 4, Fujikawa 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Sun, G 1-1.
Umpires: HP: Ed Hickox. 1B: Jorge Perez. 2B: Dana DeMuth. 3B: Daniel Toledo.
Weather: 72 degrees, dome.
Wind: Indoors.
T: 2:55.
Att: 43,428.

Darvish to start WBC opener

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:42:17 +0000

Team Japan pitcher Yu Darvish walks on outfield during the team's practice at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, March 4, 2009. Japan will play against China in the opening game of Pool A at the World Baseball Classic on March 5. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

By JIM ARMSTRONG – 9 hours ago

TOKYO (AP) — Japan manager Tatsunori Hara said Wednesday that right-hander Yu Darvish would be the starting pitcher against China in his team’s opening game of the World Baseball Classic.

Japan will begin its defense of the WBC title on Thursday against China at Tokyo Dome.

“Yu Darvish is going to start,” Hara said Wednesday. “His condition has been getting better and better as we get closer to the tournament and I’m excited to watch him pitch the first game for Japan.”

The 22-year-old Darvish was 16-4 with a 1.88 ERA last season for the Nippon Ham Fighters.

In his only previous international experience, Darvish pitched for Japan at the Beijing Olympics but gave up four runs on seven hits in four innings as Japan was beaten 4-2 by Cuba in the preliminary round.

Japan, which finished fourth in Beijing, has five major league players on its roster including outfielder Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners and pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Boston Red Sox.

Japan is in Pool A of the 16-nation tournament, joined by Olympic gold medalists South Korea, China and Taiwan.

The top two teams advance to the second round, which will be played in the United States along with the final on March 23 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

China is managed by former major league skipper Terry Collins, who also has managerial experience in Japan with the Orix Buffaloes.

Suzuki has been struggling at the plate in tuneup matches but Collins said China must keep the Seattle star in check.

“Ichiro is the inspirational leader of the team,” said Collins. “He for sure is one of the guys we can’t let do damage here. I know he has been struggling but it’s only spring training.”