Irabu Impresses With 11 Strikeouts

Hideki Irabu struck out 11 over eight innings Wednesday night, but didn’t get a decision for the Columbus Clippers against the Richmond Braves in the International League.

Irabu gave up three runs, two earned, and six hits, including the first home run he has allowed in the International League. He also walked three, all in the sixth inning, after allowing only two walks in his three previous IL appearances.

Irabu threw 113 pitches and left trailing, 3-1. The Clippers tied the game and sent it into extra innings.

The Japanese right-hander has struck out 28 in four starts with the triple-A Clippers, allowing seven runs, five earned, and 19 hits. He is 2-0 overall with the Clippers.

Irabu, who signed a four-year, $12.8 million contract in May, was making his second start since being sent back to Columbus after going 2-2 with a 7.37 earned-run average for the New York Yankees.

“The strikeouts were very good,” Yankee owner George Steinbrenner said. “He got out of some very adversarial situations and got good defense, but no hitting.

Asked when Irabu might return to the Yankees, Steinbrenner said, “I’m not going to give an opinion . . . It’s up to the coaching staff.”

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