A rookie tied an NPB record Wednesday, while Masahiro Tanaka took the mound in his season debut against a top-draft pick, two new foreign hurlers squared off against each other in Osaka, Andre Jackson began his Pacific League career with a win, and Anderson Espinosa recorded his first shutout in Japan.

Wednesday’s games

Hawks 6, Eagles 1: Winter signing Hsu Jo-hsi allowed three singles and two walks while striking out six over six scoreless innings, while Yuki Yanagita and Kensuke Kondo each belted a two-run home run in the day’s only afternoon game. The Hawks remain unbeaten through five games.