Hiroki Kuroda outpitched countryman Hisanori Takahashi on Thursday in an all-Japanese duel.
Kuroda (8-8) allowed five hits, struck out four and walked one in eight outstanding innings to help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Mets 2-0. He ended a personal three-game winless span with his first win since June 26 against the New York Yankees. He is the top Japan-born starting pitcher in MLB history, with a 3.67 ERA in 71 games.
“There were so many lefties and my outside sinker and my split-finger fastball were really good,” Kuroda said.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Taiwan’s Kuo Hong-chih pitched the ninth for his third save. The left-hander hasn’t given up a run in 16 1-3 innings at home.
Takahashi (7-5) gave up two runs and three hits in seven innings, struck out five and walked two. The left-hander retired 10 in a row at one point.
In other action it was:
• Marlins 3, Rockies 2
• Phillies 2, Cardinals 0
• Braves 8, Padres 0
• Nationals 7, Reds 1
• Brewers 3, Pirates 2
• Giants 3, Diamondbacks 0
AP, SEATTLE
John Lackey came within four outs of a no-hitter, only to watch his Boston Red Sox blow a comfortable lead and cost him a win before beating the Seattle Mariners 8-6 in 13 innings on Thursday.
Seldom-used Eric Patterson doubled home two runs with two outs in the 13th and the Red Sox overcame Seattle’s five-run ninth against Manny Delcarmen and closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Josh Bard broke up Lackey’s bid for baseball’s fifth no-hitter this season on a clean single to right-center with two outs in the eighth. The Mariners then rose up for five runs on three hits and two Boston errors to tie it in the ninth.
In other action it was:
• Twins 5, Orioles 0
• Tigers 5, Blue Jays 2
• Yankees 10, Royals 4
• Rangers 3, Angels 2
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