Fukuoka Softbank Hawks 4

Tohoku Rakuten Eagles 11

Best of 3 Series: Fukoka 0 – 1 Tohoku

(Kleenex Stadium)

The Eagles absolutely destroyed the visiting Hawks in the first game of what could be an abbreviated series up in Sendai.

Iwakuma pitched a complete game for the home side, and the Tohoku offense pumped out four home runs on their way to a good ‘ole ass-whupping.

Fukuoka starter, Sugiuchi, found himself in trouble very quickly as he gave up a lead-off home run to start the game, and ended up surrendering a total of seven earned runs in an outing that lasted an out shy of three full frames.

Importantly, three of the four walks drawn by Tohoku batters either crossed home plate or factored in a run being scored. Also, all nine of Tohoku’s starters recorded at least one hit. Second baseman, Takasu, and left fielder, Nakajima, both had two-hit games including a home run each. First baseman, Seguignol, also hit a home run and recorded three of the team’s rbi’s.

Iwakuma allowed four runs (two earned) off of six hits in game one. He lasted a full nine innings and threw 132 pitches. He struck out seven and walked two.

Game two is slated for tomorrow evening at 1 PM and we should be seeing Fukuoka’s Houlton square off against Tohoku’s Tanaka.

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters 4
Orix Buffaloes 1

(Kyocera Dome)

Darvish went the distance in this first game of the best-of-three series between the Fighters and Buffaloes. He gave up one unearned run and clocked 139 pitches. The Buffaloes managed nine hits, and were gifted a wild pitch and two walks, but they also suffered 14 K’s. Darvish’s playoff ERA is a perfect 0.00 thus far.

Kondou (6.75 playoff ERA) started for Orix and gave up four earned runs in his five and one-third innings of work.

The bulk of the Fighters’ offense was on display during the top of the sixth when they plated three runs when five batters managed to reach base and three runs scored. Sledge also had a solo home run in the fourth.

The Buffaloes only run came on a Cabrera sacrifice fly in the bottom of th eighth.

The second game of the series is scheduled for tomorrow at Kyocera Dome.

Hokkaido leads Orix in this series 1-0.