TOKOROZAWA, Saitama Pref. -- Tomohiro Kuroki finally learned how it feels to win the season opener on Saturday, but Daisuke Matsuzaka will have to wait at least one more year for the same experience.
Chiba Lotte starter Kuroki, who was the loser of the Marines' season opener in the last two years, overcame a sluggish first-inning performance and held Seibu to four hits over eight innings, leading the Marines to a 6-3 victory over the Lions at the Seibu Dome.
Matsuzaka, pitching in the Lions' first game of the season for the second straight year, allowed six hits and walked six over six innings to take the loss. Matsuzaka didn't earn a decision in last year's opener.