NPB news: Aug. 25, 2022

It was a streak-ending Thursday in Japan, while Shosei Togo had a huge game for the Central League’s struggling Yomiuri Giants, and there were a pair of big comebacks in the Pacific League.

OK. It wasn’t the most exciting day in baseball this week, but it is Roki Eve, and perhaps he’ll be more impressive than his 5.48 ERA this season against Rakuten. Friday will also start another showdown series between Yakult and DeNA, so that should be fun.

Thursday’s games

Tigers 5, BayStars 0: At Osaka Dome, Junya Nishi (5-2), a former DH for Japan’s under-18 national team, spun six innings and went 2-for-3 as Hanshin snapped an eight-game losing streak, and ended DeNA’s eight-game win streak.

Continue reading NPB news: Aug. 25, 2022

NPB news: Aug. 24, 2022

In the Central League on Wednesday, DeNA closer Yasuaki Yamasaki owned up to sucking as he set a milestone, Munetaka Murakami didn’t hit a home run but did get walked four times, and we have a new Pacific League leader!

A day after I wrote about a player hitting a ball into the next zip code, Kensuke Kondo actually did that.

We also had a manager who is gaining a reputation, sending his slugging catcher to the minors for his pitch calling.

So let’s get to it shall we?

Continue reading NPB news: Aug. 24, 2022

writing & research on Japanese baseball

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