ATLANTA — Kenshin Kawakami has completed six scoreless innings in two of his past five starts and still finds himself as one of the two Major League hurlers who have gone winless while making at least 10 starts this season.(mlb jerseys wholesale)
After notching a season-high eight strikeouts and holding the D-backs scoreless over six innings on Wednesday night, Kawakami went to the clubhouse with the game still scoreless. (mlb jerseys wholesale)The Braves have scored 21 runs during the 69 innings that he has been on the mound this year.
The Braves have scored three runs or fewer in seven of the 11 games Kawakami has started this season. (mlb jerseys wholesale)They have been limited to two runs or fewer in four of those games.
“No wonder he is (0-8),” Braves manager Bobby Cox said. “[Sandy] Koufax couldn’t win with that.”(mlb jerseys wholesale)
Kawakami has shown some signs of encouragement while completing at least six innings in each of his past five starts. (mlb jerseys wholesale)The 34-year-old right-hander has lowered his ERA from 5.79 to 4.48 during this span.
But like Orioles right-hander Kevin Millwood, the only other Major Leaguer who remains winless through his first 10 starts this season, (mlb jerseys wholesale)Kawakami would like to soon gain some kind of tangible reward for his efforts.
“I just have to give my full effort and keep my team in the ballgame and just contribute as much as I can so that the team has a chance to win,” Kawakami said through his interpreter.