2019 Seibu Lions Weekly Digest: Yamakawa powers through the week

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With a delayed digest, the Saitama Seibu Lions went 5-2 against the Softbank Hawks, Nippon-Ham Fighters and Rakuten Eagles. Through games on May 29, the Lions are currently one game behind the Softbank Hawks and 1/2 game behind the Rakuten Eagles for the Pacific League Pennant.

Here is how it all happened:

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The first game from Okinawa had Ken Togame facing Nao Higashihama, where the latter is a local native. Takumi Kuriyama hit a two-run HR in the second inning. Yurisbel Gracial responded with a solo HR, but Shuta Tonosaki and the Lions scored two more from a timely hit and a bases-loaded walk in the 5th.

After the Hawks brought the team within one run, Hotaka Yamakawa hit a three-run HR in the 7th inning to make it 7-3. Togame would go six innings with only one run given up.

Each run mattered, because a passed ball by Tomoya Mori and error gave the Hawks two more runs in the 8th, while Tatsushi Masuda struggled in the 9th. Masuda allowed one run and it could have been more with the bases loaded, but a foul out and strikeout closed the door as the Lions won their second straight.

Lions 7, Hawks 6

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The second and final game in Okinawa featured Kona Takahashi and Kotaro Otake. Both teams traded runs in the first three innings, but the Lions took control in the 4th after one in the top of the frame. With consecutive hits, Kuriyama hit a timely to tie it at 2-2 and an error by Kenji Akashi made it 3-2. Sosuke Genda made the Hawks pay with another timely hit for a two-run lead.

A two-out rally and a sacrifice fly gave the Lions two more runs to seal this one. Takahashi went seven innings and allowed two runs through it all, making it his second straight win against the Hawks in as many games played.

Lions 7, Hawks 3

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The week shifted back home to Tokorozawa as the Fighters came in with Takayuki Kato against Daiki Enokida. This one had high scoring affair with both starters giving up several runs./The difference maker was the Lions bullpen, pitching four scoreless frames after the 5th inning while Shuta Tonosaki was a single short of a possible cycle.

The Lions scored five runs in the fifth inning to break it open with Tonosaki hitting a two-run HR and a timely hit from Sosuke Genda.

Lions 10, Fighters 5

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Johnny Barbato took the mound for the Fighters against Shinsaburo Tawata. This was another ugly game for both sides as the starters wouldn't last. The Lions jumped out to a 5-0 lead with two of them being solo HRs by Shogo Akiyama. Tawata coughed it up quickly and the game was tied in the 4th. A bases-loaded walk in the 7th inning from Takeya "Okawari-kun" Nakamura was the game-deciding run as the Lions win streak went to five straight. Tawata was deactivated after the game.

Lions 7, Fighters 5

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The final game had Wataru Matsumoto against Naoki Uwasawa. This one had the Lions blowing a 4-0 lead and the bullpen couldn't keep it tied. Katsunori Hirai allowed too many base runners to make it 4-4, while Kensuke Kondo broke the tie in the 8th as Matsumoto had a no-decision. A late run from the Lions was not enough as the win streak was snapped.

Fighters 6, Lions 5

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The Lions went back on the road with two special games in the Tohoku region. The first one took place in Iwate prefecture with Takahiro Shiomi against Tatsuya Imai. Two home runs came from Yamakawa and Akiyama for a 2-0 lead.

Imai looked like he was cruising through five innings without a hit allowed, but Hideto Asamura broke it up and Jabari Blash hit a three-run HR to turn the tables. The Lions couldn't overcome this late deficit as the losing streak reached two.

Eagles 7, Lions 2

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The final game of this series took place in Hirosaki, Aomori as Ken Togame faced Yuya Furukawa. This one had the Lions jump out to a 2-0 lead with timely hits from Akiyama and a sacrifice fly from home-town native Shuta Tonosaki.

The Eagles cut the lead in half in the third off a hit by "Ginji" Akaminai, but Togame was lights out by going six innings and allowing only one run. Hotaka Yamakawa had a solo HR in the 7th and a timely hit from Okawari-kun sealed it as it was a split in Tohoku.

Lions 4, Eagles 1

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This week was solid with the sweep in Okinawa. If anything, the Lions are right in the thick of a hunt and should stay there barring no injuries.The only concern is Tawata being off to a bad year, but let's hope his time in ni-gun improves.

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