In Japan on Tuesday, the Central League has some new leaders, one team suffered consecutive losses for the first time this season, another was shutout for the first time, and then we have the Hiroshima Carp.
In other news, the Hanshin Tigers are asking fans at Koshien Stadium to mind their manners, a Hawks pitcher has had season-ending surgery, Lions ace Kona Takahashi has rejoined the major league club after starting the season on the farm, due to shoulder tightness, and the DeNA BayStars have joined the Yomiuri Giants in holding negotiations with their former captain, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo.
Tuesday is also the start of this year’s “home-away-from home games, with the Swallows hosting the Giants in Kagoshima, and the Hawks hosting the Fighters in neighboring Kumamoto Prefecture in one of Japan’s most scenic ballparks with the outfield seating overshadowed by huge stands of trees.
Tuesday’s games
Tigers 1, Carp 0: At Koshien Stadium, Hiroshima, having been shut out in their past three games at home, took their scoreless act on the road, where Shoki Murakami struck out eight while allowing two hits over seven innings, Javy Guerra worked the eighth, and closer Suguru Iwazaki worked around a two-out single to secure his third save.
Carp lefty Hiroki Tokoda (0-1) allowed a run on eight hits and two walks over seven.
The Tigers broke the ice in the fifth in textbook fashion, a single by the No. 8 hitter, a sacrifice by Murakami and a single by Koji Chikamoto, who had made a terrific grab in the first to rob Takayoshi Nomo of a single to lead off the game.
Former Tiger Craig Brazell threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Continue reading NPB news: April 9, 2023