Tuesday was a good night for starting pitchers at the CL parks with only 10 out of a possible 12 quality starts because two starters who allowed just one run, only went 5-2/3 innings. The best of the bunch probably came from Hiroshima’s Hiroki Tokoda.

Masahiro Tanaka got locked up in his second straight pitchers’ duel and for the second straight week, but his two runs allowed over six innings, was equal for the worst on the night and he took his second straight loss.

 As a result of the Eagles’ defeat, and Yomiuri wasting their strong start in new import Matt Andriese’s Japan debut, we have a new Pacific League leader.

We also had a tough break for Chunichi.

Ishikawa out with ACL injury

Chunichi Dragons third baseman Takaya Ishikawa has suffered a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee on Friday, when he lost his balance trying to avoid a collision at first base.

“If he can come back this year, that would be the best, but we’re going to let it take its course,” manager Kazuyoshi Tatsunami said.

Ishikawa currently has a .264 OBP and a .411 slugging average.

Tuesday’s games

Lions 2, Tigers 0: At Koshien Stadium, Hotaka Yamakawa hit his 17^th home run, most in Japan. Yuki Nishi (3-4) pitched well for the second straight week but took the loss time after winning his duel with Masahiro Tanaka the week before when he was outpitched.