From our Daily Sports column (Japanese) / デイリースポーツオンラインの連載コラムから So the 2022 season hasn’t started as anyone has expected. I mean, the 0-9 record is the worst start in Central League history – that’s 73 seasons times six teams, for those keeping track at home. Many people have lamented the loss of Robert Suarez and the…
The news has been fairly plentiful in the past couple of weeks while I have been taking an extended break from the updates. We’ll stick to the basics here. First and foremost, the Tigers have decided not to renew the contracts of two foreigners: outfielder Jerry Sands and reliever Jon Edwards. Both joined the team…
Must-win games do not mean the same as can’t-lose games. With this being the Tigers’ final chance to gain ground on the Swallows without leaning on another team, they needed this one. Joe Gunkel pitched 7 ⅔ masterful innings of shutout ball, and received solid backing from set-up man Suguru Iwazaki and closer Robert Suarez…
After losing by the long ball last night, Tigers’ pitchers Masashi Itoh and Robert Suarez kept the Carp off the board and under complete control. Meanwhile, Teruaki Sato picked up his first extra-base hit in forever, scored the team’s first run, and Takumu Nakano provided solid defense and chipped in with a hit and a…
The Yomiuri Giants are in a bit of a slump. That’s putting it nicely, as they have now fallen to .500 on the year, and while it is still mathematically unlikely, they could miss the playoffs still. Their losing streak is 8 (with two ties thrown in the middle) and their star leadoff guy saw…
Yuki Nishi really did not have his best stuff tonight. He did not have his health, either, it seems. After giving up two runs and recording only five outs, he left the game and was replaced by Kosuke Baba. Then Masashi Itoh. Then Raul Alcantara. All the relievers did a good job, allowing just one…
What a close game. The Tigers had a couple of great chances that went for naught, but put up a two-spot early and got solid pitching from starter Koyo Aoyagi (career-high 12 wins) and closer Robert Suarez (first in NPB to 40 saves this year). They also won the season series against the Yomiuri Giants…
Every game is a must-win, and every single play by every single player is important. The Tigers got just enough out of their hitters (five hits and two runs), and despite a couple of defensive miscues, also got some fine defense when needed. Holding onto a 2-1 lead through the top of the seventh, they…
Yuki Nishi is definitely not having his best season by any means. He managed to get through six innings without surrendering a run, though, and the trio of Raul Alcantara, Suguru Iwazaki and Robert Suarez kept the bagels coming. Meanwhile, Mel Rojas Jr hit a towering home run in the top of the fourth, and…
After crunching the numbers a little, it has become apparent that the Tigers really need some help from everyone who is facing the Swallows. That, and they need to keep on winning. They got off to a hot start, with four hits and a walk accounting for a four-spot in the first inning. This included…