Pitcher Kenta Maeda of the Major League Tigers started in the exhibition game and pitched two innings, allowing two hits and one run, while trying out a new breaking ball.
Pitcher Maeda made his first starting pitching since transferring to the Tigers on the 1st in an exhibition game against the Phillies held in Lakeland, Florida.
Pitcher Maeda struck out the first batter with a slider in the first inning, and the next batter also got an out with a first grounder and a strikeout.
In the second inning, after allowing the first batter to hit two bases, a dead ball or an error by a teammate led to two outs, first and third base, and the fifth batter made a timely hit, resulting in a one-point loss.
Pitcher Maeda pitched two innings, allowing two hits, one run, and two strikeouts.
Pitcher Maeda said, ``There are some things I would like to fix, but I think it was a good start.I was able to throw my breaking balls well, but I didn't have good control or feel for my fastballs, so I'd like to make those adjustments.I have plenty of time, so "I don't think there will be any problems," he said, raising the issue and feeling a certain level of response.
He was also experimenting with a slider that curved a lot with a different grip than before, and he threw about three pitches that day, saying, ``Slider was originally my specialty, and I used to use both small and large curves, but the curve is more curved. "I'm working on being able to throw big things. I want to be able to throw as many shots as I like," he said.
Pitcher Maeda's next pitching is scheduled for the 7th, which is the 5th day of the junior high school season.