The Tigers’ bullpen has to be enjoying the Golden Week holiday. Despite the team being slated to play nine games in nine days, the combination of Takumi Akiyama‘s complete game on Tuesday with Wednesday’s rainout means the pen had little to do the last little while. And with our big ace on the mound on Thursday, most of them were able to rest even more. The team got big production from one of their smallest players, while riding their biggest player’s right arm (and bat) to victory.
Starting Pitchers: Randy Messenger (4-1) vs. Katsuki Azuma (2-1)
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A leadoff double was followed by a Yamato sac bunt, and with two outs and a runner on third, Jose Lopez hit a double to the left-center gap.
Hanshin 0, Yokohama 1
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Kento Itohara led off the inning with a hit, and with two outs, Messenger singled, too. Hiroki Uemoto made sure both made their way home on a double to the wall in left center.
さすが上本のパンチ力！メッセのヒットに応えて逆転タイムリー！！！ #hanshin #虎テレ pic.twitter.com/3FpgaO8TKZ
— 阪神タイガース (@TigersDreamlink) May 3, 2018
Hanshin 2, Yokohama 1
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Oh, oh, Hiroki! Uemoto Hiroki! He did it again… Itohara and Shunsuke picked up singles, and Takashi Toritani earned an intentional walk to extend his ironman streak – imagine that, not having to face a pitch or stand in the field, but still getting credit for playing – to load the bases. Uemoto brought a couple of men home with a single through the left side of the infield. Messenger’s line: 7 IP, 115 TP, 6 H, 1 BB, 1 R, 6 K.
再びタイムリーで本日4打点！！！上本、最高だ！！！ #hanshin #虎テレ pic.twitter.com/QDcey6sIHl
— 阪神タイガース (@TigersDreamlink) May 3, 2018
Hanshin 4, Yokohama 1
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Kentaro Kuwahara gave up a leadoff double (to Yamato for his second hit of the day), then a couple of outs later, another double, and the lead was cut to two. But that was all. Despite walking one batter, Rafael Dolis shut down the game in the ninth, and the Tigers remain perfect against the BayStars this year.