===
The Saitama Seibu Lions currently sit in second place of the Pacific League while trailing one game behind the Softbank Hawks for first place. They've been one of the hottest teams in NPB since Interleague play concluded with a 13-5 record.
===
Another ikusei promoted
Shinya Hasegawa became the second promoted player from Ikusei this season on July 2. He even earned a hero interview and had a key base hit in Sendai against the Eagles as he's started a handful of games..
===
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
The Lions had two individual milestones reached with good pitching performances by the bullpen, Dietrich Enns and Wataru Matsumoto. By holding the Fighters to two runs in both games, it was a streak of 12 consecutive outings where the opponent scored 3 runs or less, a first since 1965.
Takumi Kuriyama also had his 1,000th career hit inside Belluna Dome, the most hits in one stadium in Lions history.
Tomoya Mori also had a modasho where he was a home run short of a cycle. He ended up walking on his fourth at-bat.
Lions 5 Fighters 2
Lions 6 Fighters 2
===
Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
Tatsushi Masuda had his first blown save of the year when he was one strike away from closing out a game. With two runners on base, Akira Nakamura took a high pitch into the outfield for a timely, two-RBI game-losing hit.
The Lions were also held to one hit against Shuta Ishikawa in the following game.
Hawks 3 Lions 2
Hawks 3 Lions 0
===
Orix Buffaloes
The Lions were able to squeak two wins in extra innings as the bullpen outdueled the opposition. Kaima Taira conceded thing runs, but "Aito" Takeda had the winning solo HR in one game.
A combination of a triple from Sosuke Genda and timely hit from Tomoya Mori took the second game as Takeru Sasaki got the win. Tatsuya Imai made his long awaited return to the ichi-gun and he gave up three run, mostly to Yutaro Sugimoto.
Hatushiko Tsuji also reached his 400th career win as manager.
Lions 5 Buffaloes 4
Lions 5 Buffaloes 4
Buffaloes 6 Lions 2
===
Rakuten Eagles
The Lions made a statement with a sweep of the Eagles for the second time in two weeks. Hotaka Yamakawa hit multiple home runs while Jantzen Witte also hit one and Brian O'Grady had a game winner as well.
It was a series where the Lions bats came alive against the Eagles bullpen and Takahisa Hayakawa. With this sweep in Sendai, the Lions moved into second place.
===
From a baseball standpoint, the Lions offense has looked better with this group of unknowns. Some of the random contributions have had someone else step up beyond Yamakawa, who won the fan vote for the All Star game.
That being said, there is concern for this bullpen being overworked for the second half. Remember that Katsunori Hirai's arm was shot in 2019 and couldn't recover. As a fan of the Oakland A's, this occurred in 2021 when the bullpen had no gas in the tank left by the time it was August.
We also want to take this time in remembering former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated in Nara this past week. A tragic moment for a person who a leader with pride for the country and encouraging growth. Our condolences go out to those who knew him closely.
===
Follow us on Twitter @GraveyardBall
No comments:
Post a Comment