Former flame-thrower Daisuke Matsuzaka showed Sunday that execution and location can be a winning combination as he pitched the Chunichi Dragons to a 6-1 victory over the Hanshin Tigers.
The 37-year-old former major leaguer located his fastball and cutter well and mixed in some nasty tight sliders and changeups to hold the Tigers to a run on three hits over six innings.
Matsuzaka (2-3) racked up seven strikeouts, six of them swinging, while walking none and hitting one. He entered the game having walked 14 batters in 20⅓ this season.