GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched two scoreless innings in blustery conditions and seven Cleveland pitchers combined on a one-hitter, leading an Indians split squad to a 3-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.
Matsuzaka was limited to just 11 starts last season for Boston after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2011. He’s trying to win a spot in Cleveland’s rotation this spring.
The Japanese right-hander hit Cincinnati’s Ryan Hanigan with his first pitch, but got a double-play grounder on his second and settled in. Matsuzaka says he feels better now than at any time last season, when he went 1-7 with 8.28 ERA for the Red Sox.
Jason Donald singled in the sixth for Cincinnati’s only hit.
Omir Santos hit a two-run double, and Carlos Moncrief singled in a run for Cleveland.
