Daisuke Matsuzaka made his first start of the spring, pitching three scoreless innings for the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday.
Matsuzaka, fighting for a spot on the Indians' opening day roster, struck out two and allowed five hits against the San Francisco Giants, one of them to Kensuke Tanaka who is also trying to win a job with the World Series champions.
Tanaka has a hit in five straight games.
Matsuzaka put runners in scoring position in the first and second but got out of both jams before a one-two-three third inning. His previous appearances this spring were in middle relief.
"I've been a starter my whole career so it's easier for me," Matsuzaka said. "I think I was a little better than last time when I wasn't very good."
"I let runners on but I still managed to hold them, which is what I tend to do. Results are the most important thing right now."