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The Saitama Seibu Lions went 1-4 against the Softbank Hawks in Fukuoka. They currently have ea losing record at 17-18-1 and sit in fourth place in the Pacific League as a result of these games. Here is how it all happened:
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Game 1: Tatsuya Imai vs. Kodai Senga
The Lions had an early 4-1 lead, scoring off Senga. However, this didn't last long when Imai conceded three runs and the game was tied in the 5th, forcing him to leave early. As a team, they couldn't stop Akira Nakamura, who had four hits and five RBIs, with the game-winning hit being a bases-clearing double off Katsunori Hirai. The Hawks eventually pulled away to defeat the Lions 9-4.
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Game 2: Wataru Matsumoto vs. Tsuyoshi Wada
Wada struck out nine batters over 6+ innings in a game where the Hawks scored early. Matsumoto gave up early base hits, including a triple to Kenta Imamiya and three consecutive singles with two outs. Fumikazu Kimura hit a HR in the fifth inning, but it wasn't enough as the Hawks bullpen shut the offense down and the Lions lost 4-2.
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Game 3: Kaito Yoza vs. Yugo Bando
The Lions jumped on Bando early with two HRs from Tomoya Mori and a solo HR from Cory Spangenberg. With his back against the wall, Spangenberg was a single away from getting a cycle. Yoza successfully went five innings and Lions bullpen helped contribute to a 6-0 shutout victory.
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Game 4: Zach Neal vs. Nao Higashihama
The Lions scored early with HRs from Hotaka Yamakawa and Takeya "Okawari-kun" Nakamura for a 3-0 lead, but Neal couldn't keep it in the bottom of the 3rd when allowing four runs, including a flurry of base hits in that frame. Spangenberg tied the game in the 6th with a solo HR, but Neal failed to get a shutdown inning as Kenji Akashi hit a solo HR of his own. This run proved to be the difference as the Hawks winning 5-4 ended Neal's win streak of 13 consecutive decisions.
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Game 5: Keisuke Honda vs. Shuta Ishikawa
Ishikawa struck out 13 batters and threw a one-hitter, shutting out the Lions in dominant fashion. Ryoya Kurihara hit a three-run HR in the first inning off Honda for all thee offense Softbank needed. It would be Honda's third loss of the season, being defeated 4-0.
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Game 6: Kona Takahashi vs. Akiro Niho
While this game was scheduled for Sunday, it was called off shortly after the Hawks 4-0 win on Saturday. Veteran Yuya Hasegawa, who has been on the farm since early July, tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the Hawks players who've been in contact to take PCR Tests. Earlier in the week, a non-playing Hawks employee also tested positive, but play went on as this person didn't have close contact with players.
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Not the ideal week for the Lions, but it's almost expected to see everything go wrong at once. From being destroyed by Ishikawa to the pitching having trouble holding a lead, nothing is surprising when the team goes to Fukuoka.
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