Nearly a year to the day after having reconstructive elbow surgery, Daisuke Matsuzaka returned to the mound Saturday at Fenway Park and worked five innings in the Boston Red Sox's 4-2 loss to the Washington Nationals.
Matsuzaka (0-1) allowed four runs on five hits in his 2012 debut, a day prior to the Tommy John surgery he had last June 10.
But for a pitcher who has struggled to throw strikes since moving to the majors in 2007, throwing eight strikeouts and issuing just one walk was a step in the right direction.
"It's been a long time since I've felt nervous like this," said the 31-year-old who hadn't pitched in the majors since a start against the Baltimore Orioles on May 16, 2011.
"Getting back to this mound was my first goal. For me, this game was special. I lost the game, but for me to make it back, took the support of so many people and I am filled with gratitude."
Through his first three innings, Matsuzaka allowed only a homer to Adam LaRoche on the first pitch of the second inning. But his lone walk, on four pitches to Bryce Harper to lead off the fourth cost him.
A single and a strikeout were followed by a ground-rule double that plated Harper and a full-count single that plated two runs. After a coaching visit to the mound, Matsuzaka got a fly ball on the next pitch that was converted to an inning-ending double play.
Washington's Gio Gonzalez (8-2) allowed two runs in 6-1/3 innings. He gave up three hits and two walks, while striking out five.