Female Knuckleballer Makes US Debut

Eri Yoshida gives up four runs in three innings
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted May 31, 2010 12:53 PM CDT
Female Knuckleballer Makes US Debut
Eri Yoshida, an 18 year-old knuckleball pitcher from Japan, makes her US professional debut for the Chico Outlaws against the Tijana Cimarrones, May 29, 2010.   (AP Photo/Steve Yeater)

Eri Yoshida had a rocky outing in her long-awaited US pro baseball debut, giving up four runs on five hits in three innings. But the Japanese knuckleballer—the first woman to play professionally in two countries, according to the Wall Street Journalmanaged to impress some ex-major leaguers along the way. Her knuckler “was really good,” said former Giants infielder Ivan Ochoa. “It's not an easy pitch to hit.” Click here for the minor leaguer's backstory.
(More Eri Yoshida stories.)

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