A "shaky" Dice-K gives up zero hits and fans 6 in 5 innings

After the Sox finished its game against the Reds late this afternoon, a 5-0 loss thanks to Craig Hanson's implosion in the 8th that turned a shutout into a blowout, a disappointed Daisuke Matsuzaka spurned the American & Japanese media assembled at Ed Smith Stadium and issued this statement:

"This time of the year I think the content of my pitching is more important than the result on paper. I am not happy with the content of my pitching today. I threw a lot of walks and wasted balls. And it was tough for my fielders to defend and to get into a good rhythm on offense. It's something I'll want to pay attention to in the regular season."

What's the big deal, you say? Major leaguers often take this type of stance after a rough, particularly troubling outing.

Oh yeah, did I mention the guy threw 5 innings of no-hit, 6-strikeout ball?

And so begins the first "controversy" of the Dice-K Era, as media outlets are already trying to blow this story up into the next Anna Nicole fiasco because it was the first time since joining the team that the calm, cool Diceman has shown any signs of impoliteness or refused to speak with members of either media contingent.

I say "good for him." He's obviously showing his dissatisfaction with having a rough start and he didn't want to convey those feelings with members of the press- so what? I think it shows how focused and driven the kid is to feel disappointed with a performance that 300 MLB pitchers would kill to have, spring training or otherwise.

Dice-K was most definitely not in top form like he was last Wednesday when he gave up 1 hit and no runs with 1 walk and 7 Ks vs. the Pirates. He started by getting behind hitters and ended up walking 5 Reds batters while throwing 102 pitches and never really had total command over his full repertoire of pitches. Yet for all this hand wringing Dice-K still gave up zero hits, fanned six Reds in 5 innings, including Ken Griffey Jr. three times, and would have gotten a win under normal circumstances. The line score for his last 2 starts: 10.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 6 BBs, 13Ks.

But the media has found something to pounce on and now they're going to run with it, at least until Dice-K's next start, when he'll probably pitch 6 innings of 1-run ball with 7 strikeouts and no walks.

If they really want a story, how 'bout focusing on Hanson. The kid the team has been high on for years and was envisioned as this year's closer got lit up like a celebutard at an after party, lasting just 2/3 of an inning while racking up this horrific line score: 2H, 5ER, 2BB, 2K, 2HBP-L.

As for Dice-K, if he wants peace & quiet after a start when he strikes out 6 and allows no runs and no hits, for crissake let the guy have some peace & quiet. It's stupid situations like these-creating controversy where there is none- that help perpetrate the myth that players don't want to come to Boston.