TOKYO (AFP) — Japanese baseball fans on Monday cheered on Boston ace Daisuke Matsuzaka as the pitcher redeemed himself to lead the Red Sox to a decisive 11-2 victory and a World Series berth.
"Matsuzaka gets his revenge at the moment of truth," ran the headline in the evening edition of the Asahi Shimbun.
"Matsuzaka produces results at the crucial moment," said the Yomiuri Shimbun.
"I really want him to win, that's all," said Mitsuo Ichimura, 65, staring at a sports tabloid as the game was under way.
"I've always liked him," Ichimura said. "I feel like he is my son, working hard overseas."
The Red Sox obtained Matsuzaka for this season from Japan's Seibu Lions on a giant six-year 52 million-dollar contract.
Japanese fans groaned and Matsuzaka was visibly dejected last week after two erratic performances by the right-hander set the Red Sox behind against the Cleveland Indians in the race for the American League pennant.
But in the crucial game seven, Matsuzaka contained the Indians to two runs and six hits in five innings.
He was relieved by another Japanese hurler, Hideki Okajima, as Boston went on to triumph 11-2, earning them a spot in the World Series against the Colorado Rockies.
The 27-year-old Matsuzaka was modest about the victory.
"I am happy that the team won the game, but it's not the end yet," he told Japanese public broadcaster NHK. "I have a lot more to do."
Meguru Sato, 57, clutched a sports newspaper tightly in both hands while listening to a live radio broadcast of the game as he spent his lunchtime in a Tokyo park.
"I've been supporting Matsuzaka since he pitched for the Seibu," Sato said. "I think he's doing well for the first year."
Matsuzaka became the first Japanese pitcher to win a game in an MLB playoff.
Hideo Nomo lost a playoff game for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995 and again in 1996.
Masato Yoshii apitched in three post-season games for the New York Mets in 1999, and recorded the loss in one of them.
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