The first week of interleague play is in the books. Just one rain-out and two ties (on back-to-back nights by the same two teams), but a whole lot of walk-offs and shutouts, as seems to have become the norm in NPB this season! Here is a breakdown of each series by scores, plus some notes that characterized them.
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters @ Hanshin Tigers: rain, 8-2, 6-0.
Fighters’ manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo, originally drafted by the Tigers in 1990, entered the stadium before the game on Wednesday wearing a Tigers’ uniform complete with his original number as a pro, 63.
Chiba Lotte Marines @ Yakult Swallows: 5-3, 3-3, 3-3.
Both tie games saw the Marines push the tying run across the plate in the ninth inning. Nothing was settled in extras.
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks @ Yomiuri Giants: 2-0, 0-1, 5-6.
The rubber match of this series saw former Hawks submariner Rei Takahashi get beaten up by his ex-mates, but then bailed out by his new ones, who scored six runs in the bottom of the third.
Saitama Seibu Lions @ Chunichi Dragons: 0-3, 1-0, 3-0.
Easily the lowest-scoring series in the first half of the week, as Hiroto Takahashi (Dragons), Chihiro Sumida (Lions), and Natsuki Takeuchi (Lions) shut out their opponents for the lion’s (dragon’s?) share of the match.
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles @ Yokohama DeNA Baystars: 1-6, 4-0, 6-5.
The Eagles withstood a two-home-run attack from Toshiro Miyazaki to take the rubber match. They also took advantage of a rare solid start from their rotation (Seiryu Uchi’s 5 shutout innings) on Wednesday
Orix Buffaloes @ Hiroshima Carp: 2-1, 0-14, 8-2.
Though the Buffaloes won the series on the strength of excellent pitching on Tuesday on Thursday, they got throttled in the middle game, as the Carp used 19 hits (only one of which was a home run) to produce runs in five separate innings.
Tigers @ Marines: 4-5x, 2-3x, 1-0.
The Marines stretched their undefeated streak to 15 games (11-0-4) by coming back in the ninth inning in two straight games, then walking both games off in extras. Their streak ended only because of stingy Tigers’ starter Hiroto Saiki, who threw a complete-game shutout on Sunday.
Baystars @ Fighters: 4-3, 4-3, 2-9.
The Baystars won each of the first two games in the final innings, with home runs off the bats of Tyler Austin and Shugo Maki making the difference.
Giants @ Lions: 4-1, 3-4x, 7-1.
Shosei Togo followed up last week’s no-no with seven innings of three-hit ball. Tomoyuki Sugano put up nearly the same line on Sunday (four hits in seven shutout innings) in a blowout win. The Lions avoided the sweep as all four of their runs on Saturday came against the Giants’ bullpen, including two runs in the bottom of the ninth.
Dragons @ Buffaloes: 1-2x, 2-1, 2-1.
Once again, the Dragons played in the lowest-scoring series. This time they came out on top, though they needed their very last inning in each of the wins to score the deciding run. The loss was – you guessed it – a walk-off.
Swallows @ Eagles: 3-5x, 2-8, 4-0.
For the first time all year, the Eagles put together a winning streak. They got it to four, but were unable to push it further, as the Swallows won a rain-shortened affair on Sunday to avoid getting swept. Still, they are firmly in last place in the Central.
Carp @ Hawks: 1-2, 0-2, 3-5x.
Though the Hawks won all three games, they lost their leader as slugger Yuki Yanagita went down with a knee injury that is expected to mean the end of his season. The final game of the series was walked off by Kensuke Kondoh on his second home run of the game.
And there you have it. Week 2 starts tomorrow and takes place entirely at the home ballparks of the Central League teams. PL pitchers, prepare to swing those bats! (Or just bunt!)
Enjoying Interleague: Marines (3-1-2), Hawks (4-2), Giants (4-2), Eagles (4-2)
Loathing Interleague: Tigers (1-4), Swallows (1-3-2), Carp (2-4), Buffaloes (2-4)
- NPB Standings
- Central League Hitting Leaders
- Central League Pitching Leaders
- Pacific League Hitting Leaders
- Pacific League Pitching Leaders
