In his triumphant return to Tokyo Dome, Daisuke Matsuzaka continued where he left the 2007 season. We had great visions of an trend-setting performance, spurred by the emotion of the return. We saw not the dominant, overpowering starter in his former Far East glory, but the same old inconsistency. The Oakland lineup exploited his control issues, but couldn’t land the knockout blow - stranding six in the first three frames. Despite the early difficulties, Matsuzaka threw at least four excellent change ups to Jack Cust and stranded the last seven he faced. It was a start that looks better on paper than it did live: 5 IP, 2 H, 6 K, 2 ER.

Joe Blanton pounded the strike zone until tiring after 90 pitches in the sixth. Ramirez roped a two run double down the left field line and Brandon Moss, filling in for J.D. Drew’s latest excuse, added the go-ahead run. The top of the lineup did its job all morning, and at least in the sixth, the middle obliged.

Taking a one run lead to the bottom of the seventh, Terry Francona lobbed a beach ball to Bob Geren via Kyle Snyder. The obsession with inning slots for relievers is the last hurdle a forward-thinking ballclub faces. We’ve successfully moved away from “small-ball” misconceptions, but relievers are still used prehistorically. Everyone was available, and the fifth option on the depth chart was selected. Genius. The “saving XYZ for tomorrow” argument holds no weight: there may be no need for an elite reliever tomorrow, then there are four meaningless days.  Snyder surrendered two runs in the blink of an eye, and it was bleak until the ninth inning Moss heroics.

Game Two: Lester - Harden

Rich Harden still has a chance to be awesome. He’s 26 and perpetually fragile, but when healthy he’s among the best in baseball. Of course, he has had exactly one healthy season: four years ago.

He insists he’s full strength, but that’s no different than three of the previous four springs. He’s thrown 17 innings this March and given up 9 ER on 20 hits and 7 walks while striking out 13. Those results are poor by any standards. The A’s are hoping he comes out blazing to pump up his trade value. There’s no reason to hold on to him and wait for an injury.

Ostensibly he can be had, but dealing with Billy Beane is dangerous by nature. Add the health risks of Harden and I’d rather dance on needles outside a methadone clinic. Hank, you can have him.