Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston's prized Japanese import, surrendered two home runs on Sunday as the Red Sox lost 5-3 to Baltimore in a spring training game.
In his first rough outing of the spring, Matsuzaka allowed four runs -- three earned -- and six hits in four innings, striking out three.
Orioles outfield prospects Jon Knott and Jason Dubois each homered as Matsuzaka's spring training ERA rose to 3.86.
The 26-year-old Japanese righthander signed a six-year contract with the Red Sox for US$52 million after the Red Sox had already paid a posting fee of US$51.1 million just for the right to negotiate with the righthander.
The posting fee was far and away the highest ever for an Asian player. The previous largest bid was the US$13.1 million the Seattle Mariners paid the Orix BlueWave six years ago for the right to sign Ichiro Suzuki.
``I think he's going to be really good,'' manager Terry Francona said. ``It was inevitable he would give up runs. I think I'm very realistic about how this guy can pitch. I think that's really good, but giving up four runs on March 11 doesn't deter that thinking.''
He pitched two scoreless innings in a home exhibition game against Boston College on March 2 and three scoreless innings in a game against Florida last Tuesday.
Boston's battle for the closer role continued as both Julian Tavarez and Joel Pineiro pitched two innings. Tavarez did not allow a hit but walked four and surrendered an unearned run. Pineiro struck out one and allowed two hits in two scoreless innings.
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