Former big leaguer Hiroki Kuroda picked up his 200th career win in top-flight pro ball after keeping the Hanshin Tigers off the scoreboard through seven innings in the Hiroshima Carp's 7-0 win on Saturday.
Kuroda (7-5), who lost his two starts this month before the All-Star break, finally reached the milestone before a raucous home crowd of 32,075 at Mazda Stadium. The former Los Angeles Dodger and New York Yankee held Hanshin to five hits and three walks, while striking out nine in his 115-pitch outing.
"I'm really relieved more than anything. I went in determined to get it done today," Kuroda said. "The fans always give me the courage to go on to the mound even when I'm about to give way. I could feel my teammates willing to get me the win, too. Although most of them are youngsters, they carried me."