The Saitama Seibu Lions took two out of three against the Softbank Hawks to be in first place on percentage points. It was the first series after the NPB All Star break.
Another Ikusei Promotion
While the All-Star break was ongoing, the Lions promoted P Yuto Akagami from the ikusei roster. In 18 ni-gun games, he had a 2.03 ERA in 48.2 innings of work, recording two saves and a 3-1 record.
He is the fourth ikusei promotion of 2022 following Natsuo Takizawa, Yuya Hasegawa, and Daichi Nakaguma. Originally the first ikusei draft pick by the Lions in 2020, he was part of the same class which included Yoshinobu Mizukami. He will wear No. 67.
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Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
The Lions scored early and often off Kodai Senga which included a HR from Hotaka Yamakawa and Brian O'Grady. Their bullpen came through again with a decent outing from Tatsuya Imai.
Timely hits in the second game had the offense spread around, including an RBI double from Sosuke Genda off Tomohisa Ozeki. Eight of the nine starting Lions had a base hit, but it was the pitching gem from Kaito Yoza which led to the first complete game shutout by any starting pitcher this season. It was the first shutout of his career.
A sweep was unable to happen as the Lions couldn't cash in on early opportunities despite scoring first. Dietrich Enns couldn't reach five innings as he gave up a HR to Yurisbel Gracial and multiple timely hits.
Lions 5 Hawks 2
Lions 6 Hawks 0
Hawks 4 Lions 2
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This was a fine series win by the Lions with the Game 1 win over Kodai Senga. They also did it without Tatsushi Masuda, who will return later this week from COVID-19. Let's hope the momentum keeps going in the next series, though the Orix Buffaloes were the hottest team in July.
One thing clear in the observations from this week was the level of confidence from the bats.
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