Hiroki Kuroda continues to step up for Dodgers in 9-3 victory
The Dodgers may not have a true ace, but they currently have an unquestioned No.1 starter: Hiroki Kuroda.
Kuroda has easily been their best and most consistent starting pitcher this season. Granted, it’s not like he’s getting heavy competition, but he has been quietly effective in each of his five starts.
He was at it again Sunday in the Dodgers’ 9-3 victory over the Pirates. It wasn’t one of those dominating performances where hitters are getting jelly-legged and then headlines scream his glory.
Kuroda doesn’t pitch like that. He just goes out and effectively stymies opponents. He throws strikes. He’s efficient. He is what the Dodgers really need these days -- reliable.
He held the Pirates to one run on five hits in his eight innings; two were infield hits, and only one was for extra bases.
Kuroda walked one, struck out three, raised his record to 3-1 and lowered his ERA to 2.08.
He even survived Andrew McCutchen stepping on the back of his right foot while he was covering first in the third inning.
Kuroda is being paid like a top-tier pitcher ($15.4 million in the final season of his three-year contract), and he’s delivering.
The Dodgers entered the season with some form of question looming around each of their five starters. With Kuroda, it was if he could completely come back after getting hit in the head by a line drive last season and then suffering additional off-season neck pain.
Twenty-five games in, and Kuroda has answered. Answered like a No.1 starter.
-- Steve Dilbeck
Photo: Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda delivers a pitch against the Pirates on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. Credit: Christine Cotter / Associated Press
Kuroda is a breath of fresh air. I love the fact that he was still as unreadable as a statue after Andre's second HR.
Seriously, if we can't beat the Pirates, we're in huge trouble, so this isn't a time to get too excited. But it's good to see the team clicking again, and it's always a relief to know Kuroda's on the mound.
At the moment, he's the only playoff-caliber pitcher we've got.
Posted by: blueeyedgal | 05/02/2010 at 04:20 PM
Yes, that was a very impressive outing by Kuroda. But I think Torre should have let him go out for the ninth inning and finish it. I'm not saying that just because Sherrill struggled. Vinnie said that Torre wanted to give Sherrill some work, but heck...let Kuroda get the complete game. He was in command...20 of 29 first-pitch strikes, and 70 of his 98 pitches were strikes.
Posted by: bob cuomo | 05/02/2010 at 04:23 PM
Bob: Torre said if Kuroda was going for a shutout, he would have left him in but since he was up 9-1 there was really no need to stretch his pitch count.
Posted by: Steve Dilbeck | 05/02/2010 at 04:30 PM
It's a laugh anyone would get excited over a pitcher looking good against the lowly Pirates. That was like he went down to Triple A and pitched.
Posted by: Brian | 05/02/2010 at 06:22 PM
You're right Brian. Its a huge mistake to measure your performance against four games at home vs the Pirates in April.
TDS
Posted by: These Dodgers Suck | 05/02/2010 at 07:01 PM
Brian, while it might be a laugh to get excited about winning a series against the Pirates, but it is a great improvement over losing series in the past three weeks to the Reds, Nationals and yes these same Pirates, with more of the roster healthy than now.
Posted by: louisinsf | 05/02/2010 at 07:05 PM
This wasn't a fluke. As much as people want to crown Kershaw as our ace, he simply isn't. We have an ace and his name is Hiroki Kuroda. People need to recognize.
Posted by: twentyseven | 05/02/2010 at 07:23 PM
It's early.
Posted by: harry m | 05/02/2010 at 10:14 PM
The Pirates are good this year. Don't let their 10-15 record deceive you. Those are good returns at the sportsbook.
Posted by: rolie | 05/03/2010 at 07:41 AM