Topic: Tomo Ohka

Tomokazu Ohka (大家友和, Ōka Tomokazu?, IPA: ) (born March 18, 1976) is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. Previously, Ohka played with the Boston Red Sox (1999–2001), Montreal Expos (2001–2004), Washington Nationals (2005), Milwaukee Brewers (2005–2006), and Toronto Blue Jays (2007). He throws right-handed and is a switch hitter.

On November 20, 1998, Ohka was purchased by the Boston Red Sox from the Yokohama BayStars (Japan's Central League). Ohka's statistics in Japan were less than flattering, but his ability to control his pitches sparked the interest of the Red Sox.

In 1999, Ohka began his MLB career with the Red Sox' Double-A affiliate at that time, the Trenton Thunder. In 12 starts he went 8-0 with a 3.00 era. He was promoted to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox where he had a 1.92 era and a 7-0 record (and pitched the 1st PawSox no-hitter). On July 19, 1999 he made his major league debut. Ohka found himself in the minors again in 2000. With Pawtucket, he went 9-6 in 19 starts with a 2.96 era, with 3 complete games, one being a perfect game. In both 1999 and 2000, The Red Sox named Ohka their minor league player of the year. Ohka was in the All-Star Futures Game in 1999 and 2000 and in 2000 he was the Triple-A All-Star Game starting pitcher.