Decision time in Yokohama
On Saturday, new DeNA BayStars manager named Haruhiro Hamaguchi his Opening Day starter, six days before the start of the season, ending the happy thought that he might keep us in suspense for another five days just to give us something to talk about.
Tanaka stops losing streak against Giants
Masahiro Tanaka started against the Yomiuri Giants on Saturday for the first time since Nov. 2, 2013, when they beat him in Game 6 of the Japan Series, and allowed a run over seven innings as the Rakuten Eagles won 6-3 at Tokyo Dome.
On Saturday, an interview with Tanaka — subtitled in English — was released that’s worth watching if only for his take on the media stories surrounding his free agency.
At MetlLife Dome, Seibu Lions lefty Shota Hamaya worked six scoreless innings in a 2-1 win over the Yakult Swallows, whose newly acquired lefty, Kazuto Taguchi, gave up two runs over six innings. Taguchi struck out four and walked one. If Taguchi can strike out batters that often, he’ll be successful.
At Fukuoka’s PayPay Dome, Hiroshima native Yuki Yanagita played in left field and had two hits and an RBI for the SoftBank Hawks in a 2-1 win over the Hiroshima Carp. Seiya Suzuki, the Carp’s big wheel, also singled in a run.
Carp starter Allen Kuri allowed two runs over six innings, but struck out eight while walking none.
At Yokohama Stadium, Hisanori Yoshida had four hits and Leonys Martin hit one of the Lotte Marines two homers in a 3-1 win over the DeNA BayStars, while Jose Acosta, with the Marines on a developmental contract, recorded the save.
At Nagoya’s Vantelin Dome, the Nippon Ham Fighters took batting practice against Chunichi Dragons starter Yuya Yanagi in an 11-0 win. Lefty Takayuki Kato allowed two hits and struck out two over 7-1/3 scoreless innings for the Fighters.
At Osaka’s Kyocera Dome, where the Hanshin Tigers host games when their home park, Koshien Stadium, is taken over twice a year by high school tournaments, the Orix Buffaloes were the visitors in their own stadium.
Hiroya Miyagi, the Buffs’ 19-year-old first draft pick from 2019, struck out 11 over six innings, while allowing a run. Tigers side-armer Koyo Aoyagi struck out 10 over six scoreless innings. Maybe the lights were dimmed or something.
