The Saitama Seibu Lions took the Opening Day weekend series in Sendai against the Rakuten Eagles.
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Game 1: Tatsuya Imai vs Takahisa Hayakawa
Both teams struggled to score as the starters controlled the game. Even getting on base was a struggle with only a handful of hits allowed. It wasn't until the 8th inning, where Shuta Tonosaki had a timely off Hayakawa to plate Yuji Kaneko as the only run.
Imai dominated for six innings and had 11 strikeouts. It took an extra will to finish the 7th, but he got the ground ball needed when runners were on. He had an average velocity of 154 km/h (96mph) and even touched higher speed in the first two innings.
Both Hiroshi Kaino and Albert Abreu closed the 8th and 9th innings, respectively where the latter recorded his first save in NPB making his debut.
Lions 1, Eagles 0
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Game 2: Chihiro Sumida vs. Kosei Shoji
This one has one that of runners on base for the Lions as Franchy Cordero and Jesus Aguilar made big contributions and timely hits. Cordero had first blood with a hard double down the right field line to score Kaneko from first. Yuto Koga had a Modasho and eight out of nine Lions starters had at least one hit.
Sumida struggled out of the gate, but some clean 3rd and 4th innings were able to get him into the 6th before being pulled for his first win.
Game 3: Wataru Matsumoto vs Seiryu Uchi
The Lions jumped out to a 3-0 lead where Toshiki Abe had a brutal error misfielding a base hit. However, the Eagles responded in the bottom of the third as Abe redeemed his mistake by getting a hit with the bases loaded to tie it up.
Matsumoto would only last five innings as this would be a no-decision. The Lions had a chance in the 6th, but pinch runner Wataru Takamatsu was picked off by the catcher at second base.
Both teams squandered numerous chances including groundouts by Takeya Nakamura and Hideto Asmaura.
Hiroto Kobukata came through in the 11th inning as Ryota Itogawa was making his debut in relief. A sacrifice fly ended
Lions 3, Eagles 4 (11 innings)
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