Daisuke Matsuzaka returns with 7 strong innings, Ross drives in 3 runs as Red Sox beat Royals 5-1

BOSTON — All the offseason work, rehab starts and minor league outings finally paid off for Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Matsuzaka returned from the disabled list with his best start of the season and Cody Ross drove in three runs, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 5-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday.

Starting the season on the DL after Tommy John surgery in June, Matsuzaka (1-3) earned his first big league win since May 16 of last season.

The Japanese right-hander made eight rehab starts before he rejoined the rotation in June, but went back on the DL in early July with a strained neck muscle. Then it was back to the minors for another five starts.

“I tried back in June and I didn’t get the results I wanted. I didn’t feel like I’d be able to come back strong again this season,” he said through a translator. “I went back to my final two rehab starts and threw the ball really well. I knew if I could do that up here the results would come.”

Matsuzaka gave up an unearned run and five hits, walking two and striking out six over seven innings in just his sixth start of the season.

via Matsuzaka returns with 7 strong innings, Ross drives in 3 runs as Red Sox beat Royals 5-1 – The Washington Post.