The Saitama Seibu Lions opened the 2023 season taking one out of three games from the Orix Buffaloes. They are above the Chiba Lotte Marines in the standings as they have avoided last place through the opening weekend.
Kona Takahashi and Kaima Taira both had quality starts going at least seven innings. Unfortunately, Opening Day was a disaster as they blew one in front of a sold out crowd.
It looked like Aito Takeda had the winning solo HR in the bottom of the 8th inning, but Minato Aoyama was called to make his debut in a closing situation for the 9th. With one out left, former Lions catcher Tomoya Mori hit a solo HR to tie it.
In the Top of the 10th, Jesus Tinoco gave up the losing HR on his first pitch to Yuma Mune and the Lions failed to score with runners on base all game. They stranded the walkoff runs on base for the 9th and 10th innings while squandering chances earlier.
However, manager Kazuo Matsui's decision to not use Tatsushi Masuda was vindicated as he was tattooed for three runs on five hits in mop up duty for Saturday's game. The 9-2 loss was mostly a struggle for Dietrich Enns, who gave up a HR to Yutaro Sugimoto. On offense, the Lions also has 12 hits, but stranded several runners off Sachiya Yamasaki.
The final game saw better success with seven strong innings from Kaima Taira, making his starting debut.
Both teams traded solo HRs with David MacKinnon recording his first in NPB. It took a chance in the bottom of the 8th for the Lions to score as Shohei Suzuki hit a gapper down the RF line to plate two runs and eventually scored on a passed ball.
Aoyama was given the nod to close again and did it stranding two runners for the first win of the season and for manager Matsui.
The closing bullpen is a short term concern with Aoyama being thrust in there. It's going to be something to monitor as the season goes on and how Matsui decides to use his pitchers.
From what we could decipher, it was a predetermined decision to have Aoyama as the closer.
Offense is still a problem, hoping for stability in the outfield. Can only hope Mark Payton has a better series ahead too, as he struggled in the leadoff position.
Will also need to take this time to announce I will be on vacation in April and won't have anything written for the next few weeks.
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