On Wednesday, we learned that a Lions player has apparently been caught with his pants down, while Teruaki Sato and Domingo Santana had big hits but were still unhappy about Japan’s new ball.Under the heading of news that failed to make yesterday’s blog, the Marines signed a new import, with a family connection to the team.

Wednesday’s games:

Tigers 2, Carp 1: At New Hiroshima Citizens Stadium, Teruaki Sato giveth and Teruaki giveth away. Fortunately for Hanshin he did more of the former to back the outstanding pitching of Kotaro Otake (5-4), who combined with three relievers on a three-hitter.

Sato snapped a 122-plate appearance homerless drought in the second inning off Allen Kuri (4-5).

“I’ve hit a lot of balls recently that I was sure were gone, only to see them not go out. I’m glad this one did,” Sato said.

Sato then opened the door for the Carp to tie it with a two-out throwing error in the fifth after Otake retired the first 15 batters he faced. Carp shortstop Masaya Yano followed with a triple to tie it. Sato, who walked in the fourth, put Hanshin ahead again with his second solo homer of the game. Javy Guerra allowed a hit in two-thirds of an inning, Takuma Kirishiki got the final out and Suguru Iwazaki collected his 11th save.

Hanshin’s win moved the defending CL champions to within two games of the Carp, who have lost three straight. It also was Akinobu Okada’s 514th victory as Tigers manager, moving him into a tie with Hall of Famer Sadayoshi Fujimoto.

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