2012 Hiroki Kuroda performance thread

[DJ27]

I'm not worried about Kuroda. He's learning the league and the umpires. Maintained his velo to the end. He'll be fine.

Agreed, good post. But he needs to be our #3-4 starter if we are going to be a serious contender this year.

[ajra21]

Damn Nunez. That error must have added at least a dozen pitches to the his count befor ethe end of e inning.

[ieddyi]

He had good command and kept the ball down in the 5th- other than that he was awful

It really looked as though the Rays knew what was coming

[Gigi Buffon]

I didn't see the game but was following on my phone (including Twitter of all things) and what I was reading -- and hearing on the radio post-game -- is that hitters go up there first-pitch swinging against Kuroda, and the Rays did that to devastating effect tonight. If Jack Curry and John Sterling can figure it out, it would be nice if Kuroda and the coaching staff could too.

The first inning killed him. It really was interminable. 27 pitches but it seemed like 50 because he works so slowly. I give the Rays credit - they really worked him and I think it threw him off his game from that point forward.

[False1]

I think Nunez really hurt him by booting the most routine ground ball I've ever seen, beyond just the 2 unearned runs. Looking forward to his next start. Hopefully he can get the splitter over.

[snapple]

I almost wondering if the Rays are sign stealing. Their offense isn't bad, but I hardly recall it being this explosive.

[Shadoux101]

Kuroda just wasn't sharp.

Most importantly, he didn't have his "best" pitch in his sinker. That's his biggest out pitch for strikeouts and doubleplays. He threw a couple that just were not good early yesterday and after that I saw him almost always shake off the sinker.

The whole game could have changed if Nunez makes that first out but we will never know.

The good news is that even though Kuroda didn't have his best stuff and got a few tough breaks, he stayed in the game and kept it close enough. If he can do this on his off days, he will have a great year.

[-tz]

Mr Butterflies:

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/...s_nyy&c_id=nyy

[False1]

I expect we'll see better results in his second start.

[nnysiny]

just provide roughly 200 IP and a 105 ERA+ and im happy

[ajra21]

just provide roughly 200 IP and a 105 ERA+ and im happy

Well said. It wouldn't surprise me if he did a little better than that.

[Mr.Muhozi]

Anyone know Pujols numbers against Kuroda?

[JfromJersey]

Anyone know Pujols numbers against Kuroda?

3 for 15 with a HR, a double, an RBI, and 4 Ks.

[Mr.Muhozi]

3 for 15 with a HR, a double, an RBI, and 4 Ks.

Cheers. Where do you get those numbers from so I can find them myself next time?

[justtxyank]

Through Spring Training and 2 starts I have thus far been impressed with his ability to get strikeouts.

[Eldee5]

If today is any indication of how he pitches with "butterflies", I want him nervous every outing! He's looking great through four as I'm typing this.

[THEBOSS84]

What a performance.

[dabomb2045]

Brilliant

[Yankees13]

Gotta like how this start portends for the rest of the season.

[Yankee Tripper]

What a performance.

I loved the signing. I was hoping against hope he'd come to the Yanks. I know last year he didn't want to, not sure what changed in the off season but I was happy it did.

[BobLoblaw]

Yayayayay!

[Eldee5]

Great YS debut.

[teknetic]

Excellent. He'll have his bumps down the road, but he's gonna be solid.

[JBursch23]

Really nice start today. Great job. He's going to be a very solid addition to the rotation.

[BxBomber44]

really nice? that was a superstar start. really happy when a yankee pitches like that