Dice-K has rough rehab start for Salem Red Sox - WSLS 10 NBC in Roanoke/Lynchburg Va

Dice-K has rough rehab start for Salem Red Sox

A small but welcoming crowd cheered on Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, in his first rehab start on a cold and wet Monday at Lewis-Gale field in Salem.

Multiple fans who braved the weather wore Dice-K jerseys.

However, the Japanese pitching sensation showed that he still has some rust to work off.

The first batter of the game for Wilmington, Whit Merrifield, hit a home run off of Dice-K.  The Blue Rocks would score one more run in the top of the 1st inning, to take a 2-0 lead.

Salem wouldn't be able to score in the bottom of the 1st.

The top of the 2nd inning began much like the first for Dice-K.  Wilmington's Geulin Beltre hit a second home run off of Matsuzaka.  Dice-K would recover, by striking out the next two batters, before getting a ground out to end the 2nd inning.

Dice-K would make a great defensive play by grabbing a comebacker hit to the mound.

In total, Dice-K would pitch four innings, giving up six hits, allowing three earned runs, and recording three strike-outs.