What it means: Hiroki Kuroda followed up his disappointing first start for the Yankees with an exceptional effort in Friday's home-opening win over the Angels, pitching eight innings, allowing just five hits -- the last an infield hit opening the ninth -- striking out six and getting 10 of his 24 outs on ground balls, including two double plays. Kuroda needed just 104 pitches (68 strikes) to get through eight innings and got a standing ovation from the crowd as he left the field.