Source: Tigers Official Website
Hanshin Tigers reliever Robert Suarez and infielder Teruaki Sato were named Central League pitcher and hitter (respectively) of the month for May.
Suarez appeared in 12 games as the team’s closer, recording saves in nine games, including saves in seven straight mound appearances. He allowed just five hits all month, walked one, and had an ERA of 0.00, making him the ultimate closer. While the team’s overall ERA was 2.66 in April, it ballooned to 4.23 in May, but Suarez held his own all month. As of the end of May, he led the Central with 16 saves, and had an overall ERA of 0.38, helping the Tigers keep first place the entire month. He became the first Tigers pitcher since Yuki Nishi (September 2019) to win the award. As for foreigners, the last to do it was Randy Messenger (March/April 2018).
Sato played in all 19 games for the Tigers in May, recording 19 RBIs and 6 home runs to lead the team in both categories. He also had the top slugging percentage in the league at .630. He recorded seven clutch hits, according to NPB. Standing out above all was his grand slam on May 2 against the Hiroshima Carp, which was the first by a rookie making his debut in the cleanup spot. Also, he hit three home runs in a single game on May 28 against the Saitama Seibu Lions, becoming the first rookie in the CL since Shigeo Nagashima accomplished the feat back in 1958. He became the first Hanshin rookie since Shintaro Fujinami (August 2013) to win the award.
The last time the Tigers had two players of the month in the same month was September 2005, when Tsuyoshi Shimoyanagi (P) and Makoto Imaoka (IF) took home the honors in what is the team’s most recent pennant-winning season.
Suarez’s Comments
－ What are your thoughts about winning the Pitcher of the Month Award?
RS: It’s the first time I’ve ever won this kind of award, so I’m really happy. I still just want to keep on doing my best every game, though. That remains unchanged.
－ What do you think of your May numbers?
RS: I was able to make the most of the save opportunities I got, and I’m glad I was able to contribute to the team’s success.
－ What do you think has contributed to your success so far this year?
RS: I just keep trying to make today better than yesterday. I want to grow every day as a player and a person. I just want to keep this up and help the team win the championship.
－ The last time the team had a pitcher and hitter win the award in the same month was also the last time the team won the pennant in 2005.
RS: I’m happy to hear that. Sato is doing such an amazing job, too, and so hopefully the two of us can continue to make a difference as the team goes for the pennant this year.
－ What is your message for the fans?
RS: I want every game to be a special one for the fans who are watching us, so I’m going to continue to just do my best every day in games and in practice.
Sato’s Comments
－ What are your thoughts on winning the Hitter of the Month Award?
TS: If it means I contributed to the team’s success to the extent of winning this award, then I’m really happy.
－ What do you think of your May numbers?
TS: I feel like I have been able to make some adjustments when compared to Opening Day, but also my numbers show that I have found something to work on in practice following every game that we play.
－ You were placed in the cleanup hitter role as well. Looking back, how did that feel?
TS: If you ask me, nothing really changed. I mean, I still had the same job to do. I just did what I always do, but I definitely hope to be in the cleanup role again eventually.
－The last time the team had a pitcher and hitter win the award in the same month was also the last time the team won the pennant in 2005.
TS: Suarez is such a reliable pitcher. I just hope we can win the pennant this year like they did in 2005.
－What is your message for the fans?
TS: I’m doing my best to help the team win the pennant. I’m prepared to do what it takes and contribute to the team in any way I can.