MATSUZAKA KEEPS "WINNING UGLY"

Daisuke Matsuzaka just keeps on whistling his way though the graveyard.

Matsuzaka became the AL's first eight-game winner today, despite his continuing control issues. In just 5.2 innings, he allowed a whopping 12 baserunners (6 hits and six walks), in what has become a customary outing. His 38 walks this season lead the Majors.

The Japanese righty overcame a 34-pitch first inning, but still wound up tossing 118 pitches in less than six innings (67 for strikes).

But the walks and high pitch counts haven't hurt Matsuzaka so far. After all, he's still undefeated and his 2.40 ERA is seventh best in baseball -- fourth in the AL. But it makes you wonder, how long he can get away with it? As long as the Red Sox score 11 runs when he pitches, probably indefinitely.

More good news was Matsuzaka's seven strikeouts, which give him 53 this season -- seventh in the AL.

Watching a Dice-K start can be ugly -- even stomach-turning. In fact, a fine argument can be made that he is the best sloppy pitcher in baseball. Matsuzaka wins ugly. But he wins, nonetheless.

As the old saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

But fixing the high walk and pitch totals would really hurt, would it?

Copyright © 2008 Sean M. Kennedy. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the author's consent.