PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (Kyodo) Left-hander Hisanori Takahashi pitched three scoreless innings of relief against the Washington Nationals on Sunday in his first outing after signing a minor league deal with the New York Mets last month.
Takahashi, who declared himself a free agent from the Yomiuri Giants after the 2009 season, took the mound in the fourth with the score tied 5-5 and struck out six while walking none of the 11 batters he faced. The Mets won 6-5.
"I was able to pitch the way I wanted by keeping my breaking balls down to get ahead in the count. I also pitched well against left-handed batters. Results follow when you're having fun. I'm pitching with the majors in mind," Takahashi said.
Elsewhere, Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Akinori Iwamura went 1-for-2 with a run scored in a 15-5 rout of the Minnesota Twins.
New York Yankees minor leaguer Kei Igawa surrendered a grand slam in pitching one inning of relief in an 11-0 defeat against Minnesota. He allowed five runs and four hits.