Little Goes Right for Irabu in Loss

MILWAUKEE —  Hideki Irabu’s fastball didn’t do much damage to the Milwaukee Brewers’ light-hitting offense Sunday, and neither did any of his other pitches.

Irabu struggled in his major league road debut during the New York Yankees’ 6-2 loss to the Brewers.

In a game televised throughout much of America and in Japan, Irabu gave up six earned runs on seven hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings as the Brewers handed him his first major league loss. Irabu’s earned-run average went from 5.40 to 6.38.

Dave Nilsson hit a home run, doubled and drove in three runs off Irabu.

Milwaukee left-hander Scott Karl (4-10) gave up eight hits in his first complete game of the season. He walked one and struck out five.

Irabu (2-1) couldn’t get his fastball by hitters, couldn’t spot his change-up or hold runners close and his diving, darting forkball often got crushed.

He threw 108 pitches, 65 strikes and 43 balls. His fastball was clocked in the lower 90s. The only batter he struck out was Marc Newfield, who is battling through a torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. Newfield struck out twice.

Irabu was even victimized by a suicide squeeze by light-hitting Mike Matheny.

Irabu was replaced by former Brewer left-hander Graeme Lloyd after retiring the first two hitters in the seventh.

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NEXT SERIES FOR ANGELS

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