2022 Seibu Lions Weekly Digest: Struggles in Naha

 

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The Saitama Seibu Lions had a fruitless week away from home, going 1-4 against the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

As a result, they've fallen into B-class behind the Orix Buffaloes. Most of this week was summed up by a lack of hitting, but Kaima Taira failed to close a game in Okinawa against the Hawks where he allowed multiple runs in the 9th inning. 

Otherwise, the Lions offense wasn't there. Dietrich Enns was the bright spot on the Sunday game against the Fighters, earning his 3rd win.

Right now, this isn't a good team with a one man offense in Hotaka Yamakawa.

Brian O'Grady will return for interleague play, but this team is too frustrating to take seriously. 

Game 1: Hawks 5 Lions 1

Game 2: Hawks 3 Lions 2

Game 3: Fighters 5 Lions 3

Game 4: Fighters 4 Lions 0

Game 5: Lions 3 Fighters 0

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2022 Seibu Lions Weekly Digest: Rookie makes early impact after no-hitter

 

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The Saitama Seibu Lions went 2-2 combined against the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks and Rakuten Eagles. They remain in A-class ahead of the Orix Buffaloes and are one game above .500.

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Roster moves

Before the games even started, the Lions made multiple transactions for the week.

-Brian O'Grady left the team for the States to witness the birth of his daughter. The Lions called up Seiji Kawagoe. 

-Venezuelan OF Romer Cuadrado was signed to an ikusei contract. He is the first foreigner in franchise history to be on a developmental deal.  Cuadrado made it as high as AA with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization before he was let go after 2021. Most recently, he played in his home Venezuelan league for the winter.

-The Lions promoted ikusei Natsuo Takizawa and even called him up to the ichi-gun immediately as Sosuke Genda was injured. Takizawa is the first developmental player to earn a promotion from the Lions 2021 Ikusei draft class. 

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Fukuoka Softbank Hawks

The first game was scheduled for Miyazaki, however it rained out, only leaving some entertainment in the mud from Kakeru Yamanobe and Haruka Yamada.

As the series went to Fukuoka, the Lions made history for all the wrong reasons. 

Nao Higashihama threw a no-hitter in under 100 pitches allowing only walks to Takeya Nakamura and Hotaka Yamakawa. It was the first time the Lions were no-hit since Narciso Elvira in 2000.  

Chihiro Sumida didn't pitch poorly, but he allowed two runs in the third with timely hits from Kenta Imamiya and Yuki Yanagita for the only scoring of the game. 

Hawks 2 Lions 0

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Rakuten Eagles

Kona Takahashi had another quality start which meant his fourth consecutive win. It took a comeback by the Lions as two key runs came in the 6th inning, including a HR from Nakamura.

The Lions took the second game with a miraculous four-run 7th inning rally sparked by a two-run triple from Takizawa. He later advanced home on a wild pitch, which was a lead the bullpen wouldn't relinquish. Takizawa was a hero interview for the first two games

This magic ran out in game three as the team squandered multiple chances and couldn't sweep the Eagles. 

Game 1: Lions 3 Eagles 2

Game 2: Lions 5 Eagles 4

Game 3: Eagles 3 Lions 1

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It wasn't he greatest week, but at least the team recovered from being no-hit in Fukuoka. No idea how long Takizawa will be with the ichi-gun, but he already did more in 2022 than most would expect. 

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2022 Seibu Lions Weekly Digest: Yamakawa's resurgence continues in Golden Week

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The Saitama Seibu Lions had a successful 4-2 week against the Chiba Lotte Marines and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters for the homestand and Golden Week holiday. 

With these wins, the Lions are in A-class with a 3.5 game lead on the Orix Buffaloes. 

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Chiba Lotte Marines

The Lions took two out of three with quality starts from Kaito Yoza and Shunsuke Sato. Hotaka Yamakawa had two home runs in the series and Takeya Nakamura hit his first of the season in Game 3.

Yuto Koga made his debut on Thursday and called a good enough game for a shutout. 

In Wednesday's loss, Wataru Matsumoto struggled as he couldn't last three innings.  

Game 1: Lions 4 Marines 2

Game 2: Marines 7 Lions 5

Game 3: Lions 7 Marines 0

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Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

The Lions were aided by more offense from Yamakawa with multiple home runs, including a 2-HR game as the only offense for Sunday's win. 

Kona Takahashi had another strong outing while Dietrich Enns picked up his second win of the season with a six inning performance. 

Saturday's loss had Tetsuya Utsumi reach the career milestone of 2,000 innings pitched as he ended up with a no decision due to a lack of run support. 

A costly accident had Sosuke Genda injure his foot when a foul tip made hard contact off of it. Rookie Seigo Nakayama was called up and his fielding mistakes were a reason for the only loss of this series. 

Game 4: Lions 5 Fighters 0

Game 5: Fighters 3 Lions 2

Game 6: Lions 5 Fighters 1

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This team can be both fun and frustrating at the same time with Yamakawa carrying this offense for most part. 

Let's hope Genda isn't out for long. For a half-full glass, the pitching and Yamakawa are bright spots, yet the hitting is still abysmal for half-empty reasons. 

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2022 Seibu Lions Weekly Digest: Masuda's milestone keeps team in hunt

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The Saitama Seibu Lions went 3-3 against the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks and Orix Buffaloes during a six-game road trip in West Japan. 

They sit at 14-15-1 just a half-game out of A-class behind the Orix Buffaloes. It was also a milestone week for Tatsushi Masuda in career saves. 

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Game 1: Shunsuke Sato vs. Shunta Ishikawa

Sato could only last six innings before giving up a runner in the 7th with only two earned runs. Yurisbel Gracial hit a two-run HR off Katsunori Hirai as the Hawks pulled away.

The Lions stranded multiple runners on base, including a situation when Haruka Yamada was up and the bags were loaded, but it resulted in a groundout. 

Hawks 3 Lions 0

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Game 2: Wataru Matsumoto vs. Kazuki Sugiyama

Hotaka Yamakawa hit two HRs and Brian O'Grady added another as the Lions scored early and often against the Hawks.

Matsumoto went seven innings with only one run allowed, five strikeouts and two walks. 

With Yoshinobu Mizukami and Tetsu Miyagawa off the roster due to COVID-19, Keisuke Honda was called up and closed the game in the 9th.

Lions 8 Hawks 2

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Game 3: Burch Smith vs. Colin Rea

Smith left the game after 1.1 innings due to discomfort in his right arm. With the bases loaded and Kaito Yoza entering the game, he forced two flyouts on Masaki Mimori and Isami Nomura to get out of a jam.

Hotaka Yamakawa hit a three run HR in the first inning and the Lions bullpen was able to hang on with 7.2 innings of combined work. 

Yoza earned his first win of the year going 3.2 innings after Smith's departure. 

Lions 4 Hawks 2

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Game 4: Kona Takahashi vs. Jacob Waguespack

Takahashi threw eight shutout innings, but couldn't earn the win with zero run support. The Lions had seven hits and even loaded the bases on walks for an inning, but the bullpen of Orix kept runs off the board when it mattered. 

Waguespack threw five innings in a close contest.  It came down to the 9th inning with Kaima Taira on the mound as he walked two batters and only recorded a single out. Yuma Mune delivered the only timely hit of the night in a walkoff.

Buffaloes 1 Lions 0

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 Game 5: Sachiya Yamasaki vs. Chihiro Sumida

Masataka Yoshida had two solo HRs as the Lions continued to fail scoring with runners on base. Sumida went six innings with only two runs allowed, but had a no decision.

Shoya Makino had his first extra base hit while Ryota Kawano had his first hit and RBI in NPB, but it wasn't enough as multiple chances were botched again.

Buffaloes 3 Lions 2

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Game 6: Taisuke Yamaoka vs. Dietrich Enns

This was another pitcher's duel as both starters only allowed one run and stranded plenty of base runners. Enns was able to walk the tight rope going seven frames. As the Lions couldn't get a timely hit, Haruka Yamada hit a sacrifice fly in the second inning.

It wasn't until the top of the 9th when Hotaka Yamakawa hit a solo HR to break the 1-1 deadlock. The bullpen still had drama as Kaima Taira had a bases loaded jam before escaping with a grounder.

Tatsushi Masuda earned his 150th career save the hard way, stranding two runners in scoring position and getting a flyout for the milestone.

Lions 2 Buffaloes 1

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It wasn't pretty, but a split is better than a 2-4 record with a sweep in Osaka as Japan enters golden week. 

Masuda and Taira had shaky outings, but it wasn't the worst scenario. The offense still can't hit away from Yamakawa, but the starting pitchers were amazing this week. 

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Akiyama could find a chance with the Padres, MLB

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Shogo Akiyama signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on Saturday. The Saitama Seibu Lions were reported to give him an offer which he turned down. 

The Padres have lacked depth in the outfield due to health reasons as Wil Myers went to the injured list while there has been a scramble of Jose Azocar, Matt Beauty, Trent Grisham, Jurickson Profar and Trayce Thompson.

Prior to Thompson recently being called up, all other Padres healthy outfielders are hitting under .250. 

Previously, the Padres had Lions OF Brian O'Grady on the roster due to a KBO team showing interest, forcing their hand in promoting him to the MLB level. 

General Manager A.J. Preller has been known to sign players from Japan, including Pierce Johnson, Nick Martinez and Robert Suarez. He also targeted Seiya Suzuki, who eventually signed with the Chicago Cubs. 

Preller was an apprentice with the Texas Rangers under GM Jon Daniels, who was also known to sign players from both NPB and KBO. 

For Akiyama, he needs a fresh start for a team that had too many outfielders and no opportunity in Cincinnati. The front office and scouts who liked him left after one season. 

The Padres could have an opening soon if someone in the outfield becomes ineffective. It will be up to Preller if and when he gets an opportunity in San Diego. 

Akiyama will likely begin his minor league assignment in El Paso AAA where O'Grady spent a fraction of 2021. However, this outfield shuffle from San Diego should present a chance for him to play in MLB again. 

The Padres were already struck in the offseaon when Fernando Tatis Jr. Was injured in a motorcycle accident. 

While the team is current 14-7 through April 29, most critics will mention they're winning against weaker competition up to this point. 

Last year, the Padres had a second half collapse and ended up finishing under .500, nowhere close to the contention they were expected be. 

Akiyama will need to be patient for that opportunity, but it should come based on the organization needing depth and being desperate for someone in the outfield.

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2022 Seibu Lions Weekly Digest: Burch Smith wins debut

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The Saitama Seibu Lions went a combined 4-1 against the Chiba Lotte Marines and Rakuten Eagles in a five game homestand.

With this winning week, they made it to A-class as they sit in third place through Sunday's games. 

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Game 1: Burch Smith vs. Kazuya Ojima

"Aito" Takeda hit a three-run home run and the Lions had no trouble after that. 

Making his ichi-gun debut, Smith threw seven no-hit innings in 96 pitches with five strikeouts and only one walk in the fourth. He even picked off Shuhei Fukuda, the only base runner he allowed. 

The Lions pulled Smith and put in Kaima Taira for the eighth inning.  Tsuyoshi Sugano broke up the no-hitter in the 8th with one out, but the Lions held on for a shutout win.

Lions 4 Marines 0

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Game 2: Wataru Matsumoto vs. Minabu Mima

Both pitchers didn't allow a hit through six innings. Sugano broke up the bid from Matsumoto with the latter leaving the game in the middle of the 7th. Yoshinobu Mizukami came in with inherited runners and forced a comebacker to get out of the jam.

Hotaka Yamakawa broke up the bid from Mima in the bottom of the 7th and after a bunt moved pinch runner Shohei Suzuki into scoring position, Nien Ting Wu delivered with a gapper to send him home and break the deadlock. 

Suzuki was forced to bat in the 8th and nearly scored from home plate on an error, but had a two-RBI hit to put the game away. Taira and Tatsushi Masuda had little trouble in the bullpen as Mizukami earned his first career win.

Lions 3 Marines 0

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Game 3: Kona Takahashi vs. Takahisa Hayakawa

Kona Takahashi threw eight shutout innings with three walks and three strikeouts resulting in a gem. 

Hotaka Yamakawa hit a solo HR in the fourth inning and was hit by a pitch later with the bases loaded. 

With this shutout win, it was the first time the Lions have thrown three consecutive shutouts since 1993.

Lions 3 Eagles 0

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Game 4: Chihiro Sumida vs. Hideaki Wakui

Timely hits from Haruka Yamada and Yuji Kaneko gave the Lions a 2-0 lead they couldn't hold. 

Sumida was struggling in the fourth inning and the Lions took him out when Ryosuke Tatsumi tied the game at 2-2 with a double. With the bases loaded and Tetsu Miyagawa pitching, Hiroto Kobukata had a timely hit and the Lions never recovered. 

Ken Togame gave up multiple home runs in mop up duty to ice the game. It was the third consecutive loss for Sumida. 

Eagles 7 Lions 3

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Game 5: Dietrich Enns vs. Ryota Takinaka

The Lions cashed in with a four-run 2nd inning which included a two-run HR from Sena Tsuge and timely hit by Yamada. 

Enns was pulled in the fifth inning as the bullpen was forced to carry the team, but they escaped most jams. Yoshinobu Mizukami was able to strike out two batters with runners on base as he earned his hold the hard way.

Nien Ting Wu had a three-hit game with three RBIs and two of them coming late to seal this game and series.

Lions 6 Eagles 3

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This was a week where the pitching was promising for the most part. It's good to see Yamakawa, but the offense is still flawed.

Power threats aren't exactly there. That being said, it's a productive week. Have to also hope Brian O'Grady can rebound after a slow week.

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2022 Seibu Lions Weekly Digest: Whipped

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The Saitama Seibu Lions went 2-3 against the Fighters and Buffaloes this week and they currently sit in fifth place of the Pacific League with a 7-11-1 record. 

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Game 1: Shunsuke Sato vs. Takayuki Kato

Kato threw 6.2 shutout innings and held the Lions to four hits. Sato allowed timely hits to Renato Nunez and Go Matsumoto before he lasted five innings in an otherwise lackluster game.

Fighters 3 Lions 0

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Game 2: Wataru Matsumoto vs. Kazuaki Tateno

Brian O'Grady had multiple timely hits and the Lions held on to a one run lead as W. Matsumoto went seven innings with three runs allowed.

In a dramatic 9th inning, Tatsushi Masuda had two runners on base thanks to an error by Sosuke Genda.

He stuck out Nunez and Chusei Mannami flew out to end a close game.

Lions 4 Fighters 3

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Game 3: Kona Takahashi vs Sachiya Yamasaki

Takahashi went six innings with only one run allowed for his first win of 2022. 

A fifth inning barrage of hits gave the Lions four runs capped off by a two-run double from Brian O'Grady. 

Shuta Tonosaki added a two-run double in the 8th to erase any doubts on this game as the Lions won their 2nd straight. 

Lions 6 Buffaloes 1

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Game 4: Chihiro Sumida vs. Taisuke Yamaoka

Sumida gave up three runs, including a two-RBI hit to Shuhei Fukuda in the 5th inning which is all the Buffaloes needed. 

The Lions had their threat in the first inning as well as multiple doubles having runners on base in other frames, but Yamaoka buckled down when it mattered most. 

Offense was flat once Orix put their bullpen in the game.

Buffaloes 3 Lions 0

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Game 5: Dietrich Enns vs. Soichiro Yamazaki

Both starters couldn't last five innings as the bullpen decided this one. Masataka Yoshida hit a two-run HR off Enns in the fourth to tie it.

Kodai Sano and Yoshida had timely hits in the 5th and 6th innings to give Orix the lead for good. 

Brian O'Grady and Aito has Solo home runs, but the lack of situational hitting doomed the Lions offensively. Takeya Nakamura had one last chance in the 8th before he struck out as the Lions lost the series.

Buffaloes 4 Lions 3

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Hotaka Yamakawa is slowly coming back, but he couldn't return soon enough with how this offense struggled without him.

Can only hope he returns soon, otherwise the pitching is middle of the road. 

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