Matsui makes first outfield start of 2011 (Godziken)
2011-06-23 13:50:55
Hideki Matsui received his first outfield start of the season on Tuesday, drawing time in left field for the A's Interleague opener against the Mets while Josh Willingham (Achilles) was rested.
The rare scene wasn't always such, as Matsui has 582 games under his belt as a left fielder, including 18 in 2010. His last season as an everyday outfielder came with the Yankees in 2007, when he made 112 appearances in left.
"He's played out there," manager Bob Melvin said. "He knows what to expect. Because he hasn't in a while doesn't mean he's not prepared to play. I don't expect any problems, and whether or not we need to do something later in the game, I don't think I'd have to take him out just to take him out. I certainly think he's capable of playing nine innings."
Matsui, one homer shy of 500 for his career between the United States and Japan, entered the contest with a .300 average over his last 10 games at designated hitter, with eight walks, three home runs and nine RBIs over that span.
The 37-year-old veteran is expected to again start in left field on Wednesday and will receive a day off for Thursday's matinee, Melvin said.
・・・Good!!!
ゴジ健さん (塾長)
2011-06-24 01:25:34
＞ "I certainly think he's capable of playing nine innings."
The rare scene wasn't always such, as Matsui has 582 games under his belt as a left fielder, including 18 in 2010. His last season as an everyday outfielder came with the Yankees in 2007, when he made 112 appearances in left.
"He's played out there," manager Bob Melvin said. "He knows what to expect. Because he hasn't in a while doesn't mean he's not prepared to play. I don't expect any problems, and whether or not we need to do something later in the game, I don't think I'd have to take him out just to take him out. I certainly think he's capable of playing nine innings."
Matsui, one homer shy of 500 for his career between the United States and Japan, entered the contest with a .300 average over his last 10 games at designated hitter, with eight walks, three home runs and nine RBIs over that span.
The 37-year-old veteran is expected to again start in left field on Wednesday and will receive a day off for Thursday's matinee, Melvin said.
メルビンはいい監督ですねえ・・。
でも、木曜（日本の金曜）は休みかも・・。
残念・・。