Tag Archives: Yoshihisa Hirano

NPB news: July 12, 2022

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Baseball resumed in Japan on Tuesday, although not for the Yakult Swallows who were forced to swap out most of their first team after a rash of COVID infections only to have their game in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, against the Chunichi Dragons rained out.

The Swallows weren’t the only ones with coronavirus headaches, as Seibu saw two of its starters and its head coach fail to finish the game after learning they had tested positive.

Elsewhere, Gregory Polanco and Jacob Waguespack had big games for the Yomiuri Giants, and Orix Buffaloes, respectively.

Tuesday’s games

Buffaloes 4, Hawks 2: At Fukuoka Dome, Jacob Waguespack (2-4) struck out nine while allowing a run on three hits and a walk over six innings as Orix dealt SoftBank to a season-worst fifth straight loss.

Continue reading NPB news: July 12, 2022

NPB news: June 21, 2022

Former high school sensation Kosei Yoshida returned to Akita, the city next to his hometown of Katagami, to face the Rakuten Eagles, and got off to a heck of a start Tuesday for the Fighters on a day when pitchers’ duels were the thing.

We learned Tuesday that during the four days between the ending of interleague play and the resumption of league play, Hawks chairman Sadaharu Oh stepped in and oversaw practices, imparting some wisdom in his role as the team’s tactical advisor.

The Hawks also lost one of their new imports, who never got a chance to throw a pitch for the big-league club. I also published my first projected finishes for the season, which some of you will enjoy.

And just so the news isn’t all about SoftBank, another team has entered the bidding for the services of outfielder Shogo Akiyama following the Hawks and Seibu Lions.

Shall we get started?

Tuesday’s games

Eagles 3, Fighters 0 : At Akita Stadium, Kosei Yoshida (1-2) allowed two runs in the fifth inning as catcher Hikaru Ota singled in Ginji Akaminai and Ryosuke Tatsumi with one out. Eagles starter Takahiro Norimoto (5-2) allowed three hits, a walk and hit a batter over 6-2/3 innings while striking out five. Three relievers completed the Eagles’ four-hit shutout with Yuki Matsui earning his 17th save.

Hideto Asamura also belted his 17th home run.

Continue reading NPB news: June 21, 2022