Hiroki Kuroda made his second preseason start of the spring on Sunday, when he allowed two runs over six innings in an exhibition against the Orix Buffaloes.
The 40-year-old Hiroshima Carp right-hander, who is pitching in Japan for the first time after seven big league seasons, allowed five hits and struck out four. Rookie Carp skipper Koichi Ogata was not concerned that Kuroda surrendered a two-run home run to Tony Blanco.
"There was a method to his pitching, so I'm not worried," Ogata said after Hiroshima's 9-2 win at Mazda Stadium.