KND Report: Junichi Tazawa promoted to AAA, has impressive first start

July 29, 6:48 PMAsian-American Sports ExaminerMichael Street

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The Red Sox are looking like geniuses for snagging Junichi Tazawa (AP) 

Living up to the high expectations surrounding his arrival in American baseball, Japanese prospect Junichi Tazawa was promoted to the Red Sox AAA affiliate, the highest minor-league level below the majors.

He earned the promotion by being the AA Portland Sea Dogs' best pitcher, with a 9-5 record in 98 IP over 18 starts, with a 2.57 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP.

Just as impressive were his secondary numbers, ripping 8.1 K/9 past batters, while walking just 2.4 per 9 IP, and surrendering just 0.7 HR/9.

All of those are extremely solid numbers, which is the reason why he was named the starting pitcher for the World Team in the minor league Futures Game.

Unfortunately, a rain delay kept him from making that start, but Tazawa's promotion to the Pawtucket Red Sox is an even better indication that his future is now.

This puts him one step from the majors and opens up the possibility that he'll be called up to the major-league squad when rosters expand in September.

Tazawa was promoted in time to make the start last night, against Nelson Figueroa and the Buffalo Bisons, but was the hard-luck loser in a 2-1 pitcher's duel. He struck out 3 and walked none, giving up just 3 hits over six innings.

Kattobase Nijonjin Dairiigaa!

The only damage against him was two runs, one of them unearned.

The unearned run scored in the first inning with two outs and a runner at third—Tazawa got Mike Lamb to ground out to first, but 1B Aaron Bates overthrew Tazawa, who was racing over to cover, and the runner scored from third.

The second run scored in the sixth inning after Wilson Valdez smacked a leadoff double and was sacrificed to third. Then Jesus Feliciano singled down the first-base line to bring him home.

As good as Tazawa was, Figueroa was just better. He put down 15 batters in a row at one point, his only blemish also an unearned run in the seventh.

The former major leaguer finished with nine strikeouts in eight innings for his seventh win in his last eight decisions.

So Tazawa took the loss, but looked awfully impressive. He should pitch again either in the second game of this Saturday's double-header against the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees.

When he does, he might face Kei Igawa, the Yankees' million-dollar signing who recently set a record for the most career wins by a AAA Yankees pitcher.

Igawa is scheduled to pitch this Friday, but a rainout or rotation shuffle by either team could have these minor-leage Asian aces going head-to-head.

If they do, you'll read about it on the Asian-American Sports Examiner!