Monday, Aug. 17, 2009

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Kyodo) Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui collected the 2,000th hit of his professional career in the major leagues and Japan on Saturday in a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Big day: Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui responds to a standing ovation in Milwuakee after making the 2,000th hit of his professional career in the major leagues and Japan. KYODO PHOTO

Matsui reached the milestone with a third-inning infield single at Miller Park, becoming the third Japanese player to accomplish the feat after Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and New York Yankees outfielder-designated hitter Hideki Matsui. Thirty-seven players have 2,000 hits in Japanese pro baseball.

Kazuo Matsui, who got 1,433 of his hits playing in the Japanese Pacific League with the Seibu Lions, flied out and grounded out in his other at-bats.

"It was my kind of hit and a good one I think. It sunk in that it was my 2,000th hit as I got a standing ovation even though we are on the road," said Matsui.

"I'm grateful that I have been able to play baseball this long," he said.

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda was rushed to hospital after being hit in the head by a line drive in the Los Angeles Dodgers' game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Kuroda dropped to the mound clutching his head after being caught in the right temple by Rusty Ryal's shot in the sixth inning at Chase Field.

According to the Dodgers, Kuroda, who was placed on a stretcher and put on a cart, never lost consciousness and there was no bleeding.

The 34-year-old gave up one run and three hits in five-plus innings. The Dodgers lost 4-3 in 10 innings.

Atlanta Braves starter Kenshin Kawakami gave up three runs on seven hits in 6-1/3 innings in a 4-3 walk-off win over the Philadelphia Phillies. He was not involved in the decision.

Ichiro Suzuki had two singles in five at-bats in the Seattle Mariners' 5-2 loss to the Yankees. Mariners catcher Kenji Jojima and Yankees designated hitter Hideki Matsui did not play.

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