Here's Johnny
Thank you Rithifruss-san, for that great report. To add a few bits from today's (5/5 - Childrens' Day!!!) Nikkan Sports , it was 24 days (April 10th) since Nippon Ham's Noguchi hit a come-backer off of Kuroki's shin, becoming the second out in the 5th inning, and swiping a sure win (he needed one more out) from Lotte's hero.
In this dramatic come back game that saw Kuroki hold a 2-run lead over Orix, the only two hits he gave up were by left handed batters Ohshima and Tani. Kuroki didn't give up a single hit to the 24 at bats by 14 right handed batters. Dating back to Garcia's (Kintetsu) hit in the bottom of the 8th at Osaka Dome on 4/4, Kuroki hasn't surrendered a hit to 25 right handed batters since. In fact, right handed batters are 4 for 68 (.058) against Kuroki so far this season, a far cry from .307 with 13 home runs against him last season.
The record for most consecutive innings without giving up a run is held by Kaneda (Kokutetsu - now Yakult) at 64 and 1/3rd innings. The Pacific League record is 54 and 2/3rds by Sugiura (Nankai - now Daiei). Johnny is at 35 and 2/3rds, and climbing.
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Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
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Well Kuroki Tomohiro ("Johnny" to fans) seems to be making Pedro Martinez look bad. He pitched 8 scoreless innings today (5 May) and has reduced his already miniscule E.R.A. to 0.71. He scattered a mere 2 hits (and 3 walks) over eight innings to make his record 4-0 for the [season].
He's given up only 13 hits and 3 runs in 37 2/3 innings in his 5 outings. His opponents are batting .098 against him, and he has 26 stirkeouts (not the highest, but decent)
Can we say "Gekkan (monthly) MVP?"