SEATTLE (AP) -Boston’s Daisuke Matsuzaka left his start against Seattle on Tuesday night before the bottom of the fifth inning with an apparent injury to his lower back.
The 11th Red Sox pitcher to win his first eight decisions in a season allowed three runs – two earned – on four hits in four innings. Then, after two seemingly routine warmup pitches before the bottom of the fifth, he appeared to briefly grab his lower back.
Catcher Jason Varitek went to the mound and manager Terry Francona soon joined them. A moment later, Francona summoned a trainer. After a brief discussion with all infielders huddled around, Francona called on David Aardsma from the bullpen. The manager and the trainer then escorted Matsuzaka back to the dugout. The Japanese pitcher then went to the clubhouse.
Matsuzaka, who struck out two, was trying to join Josh Beckett from last season as the first Boston pitchers to begin a season 9-0 since Sonny Siebert in 1971. Roger Clemens has the best start in Red Sox history, 14-0 in 1986.
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