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Matsuzaka looks to get back on track when Red Sox face Orioles

Sep 8, 2007 - 1:45 PM Boston (86-56) at Baltimore (60-80) 7:05 pm EDT

BALTIMORE (Ticker) - When the Boston Red Sox acquired Daisuke Matsuzaka from the Japanese Seibu Lions over the winter, they figured his historic stamina would carry over to the United States. Apparently, everyone needs a rest every once in a while.

Matsuzaka (14-11, 4.11 ERA) will look to get back on track after four straight rough outings when the Red Sox visit the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.

The Japanese righthander gained national acclaim in his home country as a 17-year-old, when he tossed 254 pitches in a 17-inning complete-game effort at a national high school tournament. He followed that with a save the next day and tossed a no-hitter in the final the following day.

But unlike in the Japanese professional leagues, which features a 135-game regular season and six-man rotations, the American League has been a struggle as Matsuzaka nears 200 innings pitched for the first time in his career. Over his past four starts, the 26-year-old is 1-3 with a 7.61 ERA.

The Orioles will counter with converted reliever Jon Leicester (0-1, 12.60). The 28-year-old righthander will be making his first start of the season after five appearances out of the bullpen. He has faced the Red Sox three times this season, allowing seven runs in 3 1/3 innings.

The Red Sox have taken the first two games of this series and have won six of seven to move 30 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2004 regular season when they went on to win the World Series.

Baltimore has lost 15 of its last 17, and tied a franchise record by dropping its 11th straight at home on Friday.