Somehow, upon the resumption of league play after interleague, NPB’s schedule lined up in such a way that the showdowns in both leagues featured 1 vs 2, 3 vs 4, and 5 vs 6. Let’s look at each series briefly, with more focus where it belongs (on teams higher in the standings).
Hanshin Tigers @ Yokohama DeNA Baystars
The Tigers were riding a 10-game losing streak in regular season games in Yokohama before the weekend started, and left town with a 13-game skid. Shota Imanaga went the distance on Friday, allowing just a solo home run in the ninth as the ‘Stars prevailed 3-1. On Saturday, Katsuki Azuma did him one better, shutting out the Tigers the entire game to help his team to a 2-0 victory. On Sunday, Trevor Bauer did enough (6.1 IP 3 R) to give his team a shot at a sweep, and the bats provided enough support to take the game, 5-3. The Baystars find themselves in first place for the first time in over 7 weeks.
Orix Buffaloes @ Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Kohei Arihara won his second straight start, allowing just one run in eight innings. Meanwhile, his fielders picked apart Yoshinobu Yamamoto, knocking him out after six innings (and four runs). The Hawks won comfortably, 7-1. On Saturday, with the game knotted at two in the ninth, Akira Nakamura knocked a single to left to bring home the walk-off run. Then, the unthinkable happened on Sunday. Despite defeating the Hawks 4-2 on the strength of Sachiya Yamasaki’s left arm, the Buffaloes dropped a spot in the standings (to third place). This is because…
Nippon-Ham Fighters @ Chiba Lotte Marines
The Marines (.5762) won two of three against the Fighters, and thanks to their four ties, they have a higher win percentage than the Buffaloes (.5757), despite finding themselves a half-game behind them. The Fighters won the Friday tilt, beating the second-best pitcher on the Marines staff (Atsuki Taneichi). The Marines walked off Saturday’s match (3-2) and hung on to win 6-5 on Sunday, despite giving up two 9th-inning runs.
Yomiuri Giants @ Hiroshima Carp
The Giants took Friday’s tilt, 5-3, thanks in part to Kazuma Okamoto’s NPB-leading 18th home run. The Carp exacted their revenge on Saturday, winning 3-1, and took the series (and third place) on Sunday in a 3-2 victory that saw Matt Davidson hit his first home run since May 3.
Saitama Seibu Lions @ Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
The Eagles had such great momentum until the rainout make-up games they played earlier in the week – they dropped back-to-back games to the Swallows and Dragons. Their losing ways continued in this series, as they lost on Friday 5-4, Saturday 1-0, and Sunday 5-2. They are back in last place.
Tokyo Yakult Swallows @ Chunichi Dragons
These two teams kept leapfrogging each other for last in the Central. The Dragons fell into last on Tuesday when the Swallows beat the Eagles but drew even with the Swallows on Wednesday by downing those same Eagles. Then they returned to the cellar on Friday, getting shut out 0-4. They drew even on Saturday by winning 3-1, and pulled themselves out at week’s end by stifling the Swallows, 5-1.
And there you have it. Just three weeks until the all-star break!
