Dice-K impressive in debut

 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Dice-K had a debut that lived up to its advance billing.
With millions of early rising viewers keeping track on Japanese television, Daisuke Matsuzaka struck out 10 in seven innings for the Boston Red Sox on Thursday and left with a 4-1 lead over the Kansas City Royals.
Matsuzaka allowed six hits, including a sixth-inning homer by David DeJesus, and walked one in his first game in the major leagues.
His famed array of fastballs, changeups and breaking pitches at times was dazzling. Flashing his reddish-orange glove during his slow-motion windup, he retired 10 batters in a row during one stretch. He struck out the side in the fourth on 14 pitches.
Matsuzaka left the Seibu Lions to sign a $52 million, six-year contract with the Red Sox, who bid $51,111,111 for his rights.