LOS ANGELES – The first four starts of Kenta Maeda’s major-league career offered history.
The right-hander from Japan gave up a combined one run during those appearances. It was the fewest for any starting pitcher since at least 1913 and it seemed to mirror the debut of another rookie from 35 years ago. Fernando Valenzuela gave up only one run in his first five starts.
But Maeda’s four starts since have not offered nearly as much. He has allowed a total of 14 runs in that span, including four on Monday night in front of 39,583 at Dodger Stadium, swelling his season ERA to 2.