Hiroki Kuroda brings strong numbers home to Yankee Stadium
Hiroki Kuroda delivers a pitch in the top of the first inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. (Oct. 3, 2012) Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams, Jr.
Much has been made of Hiroki Kuroda’s home/road splits this season, 11-6 with a 2.72 ERA at the Stadium and 5-5, 4.23 on the road.
Except by the 37-year-old.
“I think it's just a matter of luck that I have great numbers at Yankee Stadium,” Kuroda said Tuesday through his translator. “But I think one of the biggest things is the fans. They really motivate me during the game.”
One reason Joe Girardi tabbed Kuroda for Game 3 is the righthander threw a career-high 219 2/3 innings and he wanted to give him extra rest. Kuroda’s previous start came Oct. 3.
“I don’t really feel fatigued, or I don’t think I can afford to think like that because I always prepare myself for the next game, and that’s what I’m doing right now,” Kuroda said. “So I’m just going to do my best and pitch my best game possible tomorrow.”
