Tomoyuki Sugano had another solid outing, Tomoya Mori left a game hurt, Chusei Mannami showed off his arm, twice, struggling two-time Central League MVP Munetaka Murakami was dropped from Yakult’s starting lineup, and the Fighters and Buffaloes had a sendoff for a former player, while DeNA’s resident cretin, Trevor Bauer, delivered his second childish display in two starts and this one was a doozy.
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Saturday’s games
Buffaloes 3, Fighters 1: At Kitahiroshima Taxpayers Burden Field, an Orix bullpen day, kicked off by three scoreless innings from Jharel Cotton, held Nippon Ham to a run.
Reserve infielder Sho Gibo doubled to open the Buffaloes’ third against Naoyuki Uwasawa (6-5) and scored on a Kenya Wakatsuki double. With the score tied 1-1 in the fifth, Gibo singled and scored on Yuma Mune’s two-run double.
A third run might have scored in the inning, but Mune was out at the plate trying to score on a single, the second scalp taken in the game by right fielder Chusei Mannami.
Yoshihisa Hirano worked the ninth for the Buffaloes to earn his 12th save. Tomoya Mori went 3-for-3 with a double and a walk, but had really poor luck on the bases.
Gunned down by Mannami in the second after his leadoff double, Mori had to be carted off the field in the eighth inning after injuring his left calf when he tried to stop suddenly and reverse course after overrunning second base.
Continue reading NPB news: July 1, 2023
