Modified on December 20, 2010
Kaz joins Rakuten Golden Eagles
Following an unsuccessful 2010 season, Kaz has reached an agreement with
a Sendai team to play under new manager Senichi Hoshino.
A news conference was officially held on Nov 29.
It's for a 2 year contract for an annual income of 150 million yen.]
WITH THE HOUSTON ASTROS IN 2009
Aug 15
Kaz was unable to have a base hit until this game.
It was in the 3rd inning.
With that he earned his 2000th carrier hit combining those
in the U.S. and Japan.
After the game, he was given a special jacket by Osamu Higashio, member of the
prestigious Japan "Meikyu" Association.
Higashio was also the manager of the Seibu Lions when Kaz played for the team.
Aug 12
Kaz singled then doubled twice. He only needs one more hit to reach his
career total of 2000.
His team won the game 14 to 6 against the Florida Marlins.
Aug 5
In the 2nd inning Kaz hit himself on first. He stole to 2nd.
With that he stole his career 400th base.
The Astros, however lost this game to SF Giants 6 to 10.
June 27
Kaz slammed his 2nd home run of the season. It was a 2 run.
He also had a base hit.
His team beat the Detroit Tigers 8 to 1.
Apr 7
Kaz steals to 2nd in the 3rd inning.
In the 5th inning, he has a 3 base hit.
His team beats the Chicago Cubs 3 to 2.
Apr 6
Kaz has been rather invisible during the off-season.
But he started the opener. He had a base hit. His team lost 4 to 2 to the Chicago Cubs.
WITH THE HOUSTON ASTROS IN 2008
June 3
In the first inning, Kaz was persistent. And that allowed him to hit in a run.
He also came home.He had 3 more base hits and contributed to his team's 2 to 0 win
over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
May 4
With a 2 base hit twice Kaz contributed to his team's 8 to 5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Apr 22
In the first inning, Kaz smashed a home run.
But his team lost 3 to 4 to the St Louis Cardinals.
Apr 21
Kaz had 2 base hits again and contributed to his team's 10 to 3 win
against the San Diego Padres.
Apr 20
Kaz had 2 base hits, 2RBIs, he stole base and his team beat his former team in a 6 to 4 game.
Apr 19
Kaz recorded his first base hit this season. But his team lost 2 to 3 to the Colorado Rockies.
Kaz reaches agreement with the Astros
Kaz became a free agent after the season.
On Dec 2 it was announced that he reached an agreement with the Houston Astros.
It's a 3 year contract for 16.5 million dollars.
WITH THE COLORADO ROCKIES IN 2007
World Series: Oct 28
Kaz had a base hit. But it was not enough to help his team.
His team lost to the Red Sox 3 to 4, and that ended the World Series.
World Series: Oct 27
Kaz faced his former teammate with the Seibu Lions, Daisuke Matsuzaka.
He slammed Matsuzaka's pitch, and made it to 2nd base as the outfielders fumbled the ball.
But it did not lead to runs.
After Matsuzaka left the mound, Kaz got himself on base on a bunt.
He stole to 2nd.
His team lost again to the Boston Red Sox 5 to 10.
World Series: Oct 25
Kaz was stuck out by the Boston Red Sox's Hideki Okajima.
He had no hits and his team lost again 1 to 2.
World Series: Oct 24
Kaz was in the starting line up batting number 2.
In the 6th inning, he had a base hit.
But that was all.
His team had a devastating loss before the Boston Red Sox 1 to 13.
Championship Series: Oct 15
In this game, Kaz hit home a runner. And other players followed suit.
His team beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6 to 4 and clinched the champion series.
It's the first time since the Rockies was founded that it advances to the
World Series.
Championship Series: Oct 14
In the 5th inning, Kaz hit himself on base.
His team won again 4 to 1.
Championship Series: Oct 12
Kaz had a base hit, but he missed a play too.
Still his team clinched an 11 inning game 3 to 2.
Championship Series: Oct 11
In the 3rd inning, with the game a draw, Kaz hit home a runner to give his
team a lead.
In the 7th, he got on base on an error and stole to 2nd.
His team won 5 to 1 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Division Series: Oct 6
Kaz contributed with a 3-base hit.
The Rockies beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2 to 1.
And with this win, the Rockies clinched clinched the Division Series.
Division Series: Oct 4
In the 4th inning, with bases loaded, Kaz homered.
He also doubled and tripled, contributing greatly to his team.
The Rockies beat the Phillies 10 to 5.
Oct 1
In the first inning, Kaz doubled. He also came home. In the 6th, he recorded an RBI
with a sacrific fly. In the close game, in the 13th inning, Kaz again doubled.
He came home too. His team continued to bat well, and in the end defeated the San Diego Padres 9 to 8.
With this victory, the Rockies clinched a place in the play-offs.
Sept 20
Kaz hit himself on base 3 times. And he helped his team win 9 to 4 against the L.A. Dodgers.
Sept 7
Kaz slammed a 2 run home run which helped his team win 10 to 4 against the San Diego Padres.
Aug 26
In the 3rd inning, Kaz hit a 2 base RBI hit.
In the 7th inning he had another double.
His skills as a switch hitter proved effective.
The Rockies beat the Washington Nationals 10 to 5.
July 4
Kaz contributed again by hitting in 2 RBIs on a base hit.
The Rockies won 17 to 7 against the N.Y. Mets.
July 3
Kaz was a wonder. He hit himself on base every time he was at bat, which was 5.
The Rockies beat the N.Y. Mets 11 to 3.
June 17
Kaz homered in the first inning. But his team lost to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 5 to 7.
June 14
In the first inning, Kaz had a 2 base hit and also came home.
Int he 3rd and 5th inning he had base hits.
The Rockies again beat the Boston Red Sox 7 to 1.
June 13
In the 2nd inning, he had an RBI. He also had a base hit in the 5th inning.
His team defeated the Boston Red Sox 12 to 2.
June 7
Kaz made a major contribution to his team.
He got himself on base with a double.
And he came home. His teammates followed and clinched the game against the Houston Astros 7 to 6.
May 21
Kaz is finally back.
In the 3rd inning, he doubled and welcomed homed a runner.
In the 7th inning, he doubled again, and this time earned 2 RBIs.
But his team in the end lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks 5 to 6.
Apr 6
Kazuo tripled and earned a run. He had another base hit and stole base for the first time
this season.
His team won 4 to 3 against the San Diego Padres.
Apr 3
In the 2nd inning, Kazuo had a base hit.
That was it. His team beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4 to 3 in the 11th inning.
April 2
Kazuo walked the first time at bat. He had 2 base hits and batted in a run.
He contributed to the team's 8 to 6 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
WITH THE COLORADO ROCKIES IN 2006
September 1
In the 3rd inning, Kazuo had a base hit. In the 9th, he hit off fellow Japanese Takashi Saitoh.
But the Rockies lost to the L.A. Dodgers 3 to 6.
August 29
Kazuo stole base twice and also hit himself on base including with a double.
However his team was defeated by the N.Y. Mets 10 to 5.
August 26
Kazuo again had 2 base hits. One was actually a lucky hit.
But this time the Rockies lost to the San Diego Padres 2 to 5.
August 25
Kazuo had a base hit in the first and 8th innings.
The Rockies defeated the San Diego Padres 13 to 5.
August 23
It's Kazuo's first game with the Rockies. He's a short stop.
In the 5th inning, he doubled.
But his team lost to the Milwaukee Brewers 1 to 7.
Little Matsui traded to the Rockies
It was learned that on June 9, Kazuo was traded and sent to Triple A Colorado Springs.
WITH THE NEW YORK METS IN 2006
May 19
In the first game of the subway series, in the 5th inning, Kazuo batted in a run from Randy Johnson to equalize.
In the end, the Mets defeated the Yankees 7 to 6.
May 5
Kazuo contributed to the team with his RBI hit to equalize with the Atlanta Bravesl.
In the end the Mets won 8 to 7.
April 24
Kazuo had 2 hits this time, but the Mets lost to the SF Giants 2 to 6.
April 21
Kazuo had a base hit this time, but his team lost to the San Diego Padres 1 to 2 in the 14th inning.
April 20
Kazuo was out for a long time trying to recover from his leg injury. But he was finally back.
In the 3rd inning, he really tested his leg, by running around the bases and completing an inside the park home run.
His team defeated the San Diego Padres 7 to 2.
For Kaz's past performances, go to ARCHIVE