The Hanshin Tigers, looking for a second straight Japan Series sweep, were swept on the first day of exhibition play. They fell 4-9 to the Yomiuri Giants on March 23 at Naha Cellular Stadium in Okinawa, Japan. Yomiuri is Hanshin’s opponent in the opening three-game series of the March 29-31 road trip.
Starting pitcher Masashi Ito was tagged for seven runs in the first inning. Yomiuri’s bats came alive against Ito in the first inning, with 12 batters collecting seven hits. After a shaky first inning, Ito settled down. He retired the side in order in the second and third innings. He threw 63 pitches against 18 batters.
Meanwhile, Yomiuri ace Shosei Dogo, who was named the opening day starter, 바카라사이트 pitched one inning of one-hit ball.
Ito turned pro after playing college and community baseball. He was a second-round pick in the 2021 Rookie Draft and became a Hanshin player. He has lived up to expectations, posting double-digit wins since his first year.
Last year, he pitched a full regulation inning for the first time and went 10-2 with a 2.39 ERA, helping his team win the championship. “I was surprised,” Okada said of Ito’s struggles in the first inning. He pitched well in the second and third innings, so I’m not worried.”
There were a few players who stood out in this game.
Yuasa Atsukida pitched the seventh inning. He faced eight batters in one inning, giving up two runs on four hits and one walk.
He gave up three consecutive singles to leadoff hitter Seiya Matsuhara, second baseman Rui Okoe, and third baseman Shinnosuke Yamase. With the bases loaded, he gave up an RBI double to No. 5 Ayumu Nakata. Nakata, who joined the team as a developmental player in 2023, has never made a first-team appearance.
Okada was furious. 안전 토토사이트 “From tomorrow, it’s the second team,” he said of Yuasa. Okada expressed his disappointment with Yuasa’s continued slump, saying, “I think he needs to start over. The ball is even worse than when he came back from the WBC last year.”
Yuasa is a key part of Hanshin’s bullpen. In 2022, he posted 43 holds (2-3, 1.09). Last year, he represented Japan at the WBC. He started the season as the closer last season, but was limited to 15 appearances due to injury. He was out since June, but returned for the Japan Series.
