===
The Saitama Seibu Lions had another successful week going 5-1 against the Orix Buffaloes and Rakuten Eagles on the road. They retained second place while trailing the Softbank Hawks by one game for the Pacific League Pennant.
Here is what happened:
===
Orix Buffaloes (from Kobe)
Zach Neal won his eighth consecutive decision and the Lions continued their streak of 10 wins in games that he started since June 20. By going 6.1 scoreless innings, Neal continued his strong form. Takeya "Okawari-kun" hit a two-run HR in the first and three runs came in the 9th as insurance for what was a comfortable Lions win.
Lions 5, Buffaloes 1
===
Shuta Tonosaki's two HRs was enough in the Lions second game against Orix. Daiki Enokida went six innings with only two runs allowed while Kaima Taira, Shogo Noda and Yasuo Sano took the late innings. Okawari-kun padded his league-record of career grand slams by hitting one in the 8th inning for his 19th.
Lions 10, Buffaloes 2
===
Wataru Matsumoto went six innings with only two runs allowed. He also recorded nine strikeouts. Offensively, Tonosaki hit another HR, but a bases-clearing double by Okawari-kun sealed the deal in this one.
Lions 7. Buffaloes 3
===
Rakuten Eagles (Sendai)
Tatsuya Imai struggled in Game 1 and allowed four runs, including a two run HR to Jabari Blash. Five runs in the third inning was all the offense the Lions would receive with a grand slam by Okawari-kun, his 20th of his career.
When Imai left, it was a one-run game in the 6th inning as the bullpen shut the door with Tsubasa Kokuba, Ryuya Ogawa, Kaima Taira, Shogo Noda, Katsunori Hirai and Tatsushi Masuda combining for four shutout frames.
Lions 5, Eagles 4
===
Kona Takahashi struggled in Game 2 after the Lions had a 2-0 lead. Hiroaki Shimauchi's timely hits gave the Eagles the lead for good with the Lions pitcher leaving the game after six innings. Takahashi was also deactivated with an elbow injury.
The Lions had a bases-loaded chance in the top of the 9th, but only Sosuke Genda could get a timely hit as they came up short in the loss.
Eagles 5, Lions 3
===
Keisuke Honda had a decent 5.2 innings, but a back-breaking two-run HR by Blash forced a no-decision for the Lions pitcher. Okawari-kun had a timely gapper in the first inning for two runs.
With squandered chances on both sides, the Lions defense had to save their pitchers with Genda making plays on the infield. Hotaka Yamakawa's gapper in the 8th inning with two outs had the game-deciding run reach home plate and Masuda escaped the 9th with a liner as two runners were on base.
Lions 3, Eagles 2
===
This was another good week taking care of business in Kansai while also pulling out some tough wins in Sendai. It was uncharacteristic to not score against the Eagles, but both sides are playing meaningful baseball and it's huge the Lions came out on top in one-run affairs.
The showdown against the Hawks is now set, where only a sweep or two wins and a tie would put the Lions in first place. Their work is cut out for them.
===
Follow us on Twitter @GraveyardBall
No comments:
Post a Comment