The selectors in charge of picking the next Samurai Japan manager have leaked the news that they have settled on Hirokazu Ibata to manage Japan at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Despite that, NPB secretary general Atsushi Ihara, who is in charge of the committee, said there was nothing to talk about at this time. I can’t say I blame him. I have nothing bad to say about Ibata, but considering there are many guys around who have successfully managed at the pro level, Ibata’s selection seems like something NPB is not going to be eager to talk about.
Hayato Sakamoto reached a career milestone in a crucial game Sunday, while Roki Sasaki‘s progress in his return from an oblique injury took an ill turn, and – as he has been doing with every start recently – Yoshinobu Yamamoto recaptured the PL strikeout lead from Lotte’s Atsuki Taneichi, in his bid to lead the league for the third straight year.
Sunday’s games
Giants 6, Deniers 0: At Yokohama Stadium, Hayato Sakamoto had three hits and drove in multiple runs for the second straight day, while Shosei Togo (12-5) threw a six-hitter. Sakamoto’s first homer and his 21st of the season made him the 49th player to drive in 1,000 runs in Japanese pro baseball, with 1,001. He added a three-run shot to dead center in the ninth, and Togo stranded two in the ninth to finish his second shutout on 113 pitches.
