Ohtani mashes massive homer in Tokyo (0:52)
Shohei Ohtani belts a protracted two-run homer to proper subject within the third inning to provide the Dodgers a 4-0 result in the delight of roughly 42,000 followers in attendance. (0:52)
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Mar 16, 2025, 06:18 AM ET
TOKYO — For 2 days in Japan, it is the Hanshin Tigers who’ve seemed like the category of the Nationwide League.
In one other signal that Japanese baseball has by no means been higher, the Tigers capped a two-game sweep over MLB golf equipment with a 3-0 win towards the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday on the Tokyo Dome.
Much more spectacular, the Tigers did not quit a run in both sport. Daichi Ishii recorded the ultimate out, freezing James Outman for strike three on a 95 mph fastball to cap 18 scoreless innings in a row.
“These two days have been priceless,” Hanshin supervisor Kyuji Fujikawa mentioned by way of an interpreter.
Hanshin tagged two-time Cy Younger award winner Blake Snell for 3 runs within the fourth inning when the primary two batters reached base earlier than Teruaki Sato smoked a three-run homer into the right-field seats, the place a jubilant Tigers fan membership erupted in celebration.
On the mound, right-hander Hiroto Saiki threw 5 dominant innings, giving up just one hit and one stroll whereas hanging out seven. Saiki struck out Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to begin the sport and coaxed a innocent popup from the slugger within the fourth.
“Actually good ballclub,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned. “I assumed they performed actually good protection. They will deal with velocity, good with the fastball. The starter [Saiki] had main league stuff. Good command, good break up. After which Sato, he appears to be like the half. He is a extremely spectacular baseball participant.”
Saiki was among the best pitchers in Japan final season, ending with a 13-3 file and a 1.88 ERA over 167 ⅔ innings. The Tigers had a 74-63 file final season, which was good for second place in Japan’s Central League.
The Tigers began the two-game sweep with a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday after 20-year-old lefty Keito Mombetsu threw 5 excellent innings. No Cubs participant reached base till Miguel Amaya smacked a single by way of the infield within the sixth that simply received previous the shortstop.
Hanshin additionally dominated on the basepaths towards the Cubs, going 3-for-3 on stolen base makes an attempt.
“They clearly confirmed they will play on the prime stage,” Roberts mentioned.
Japanese gamers have made an enormous mark on MLB, significantly over the previous three many years. Former Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki was just lately elected to the Corridor of Fame, and this week’s Tokyo Sequence options 5 Japanese gamers, together with three on the Dodgers with Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.
Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga play for the Cubs.
The Tigers and Yomiuri Giants have performed exhibition video games towards the Cubs and Dodgers in Japan over the previous two days as a part of the Tokyo Sequence. The Cubs and Dodgers open the common season towards one another Tuesday on the Tokyo Dome.
