All posts by Jim Allen

sports editor for a wire service in Tokyo

NPB news: Nov. 2, 2023

Japan Series Game 5 was played at Koshien Stadium Thursday, with the series tied 2-2 after Hanshin’s 4-3 walk-off win Wednesday.

Thursday’s Game 5

Tigers 6, Buffaloes 2: At Koshien Stadium, Orix’s bullpen spoiled a Koshien feel-good story for Daiki Tajima, who left with a 2-0 lead in the eighth with Masato Morishita making up for a poor game with a come-from-behind two-run triple off rookie Yuki Udagawa.

Continue reading NPB news: Nov. 2, 2023

NPB news: Nov. 1, 2023

Japan Series Game 4 was played at Koshien Stadium Wednesday, with Orix taking a 2-1 series lead after holding off Hanshin 5-4 on Tuesday. Nov. 1 is also the first day teams are allowed to file posting documents to NPB ahead of December’s posting system transfer window, when we learned that one player who told his team he wants to move is likely staying put.

Wednesday’s Game 4

Tigers 4, Buffaloes 3: At Koshien Stadium, Yusuke Oyama tied the series 2-2 with a walk-off single against Orix reliever Jacob Waguespack.

Having twice struck out with runners in scoring position, in an 0-for-4 night with an RBI from a groundout, Oyama batted in the ninth with the bases loaded and grounded a high 3-2 pitch between third and short to end it.

Continue reading NPB news: Nov. 1, 2023