Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Hanshin Tigers sweep Cubs, Dodgers in shutouts

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Sunday, 16 March 2025 20:39

TOKYO -- For two days in Japan, it's the Hanshin Tigers who have looked like the class of the National League.

In another sign that Japanese baseball has never been better, the Tigers capped a two-game sweep over MLB clubs with a 3-0 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday at the Tokyo Dome.

Even more impressive, the Tigers didn't give up a run in either game. Daichi Ishii recorded the final out, freezing James Outman for strike three on a 95 mph fastball to cap 18 scoreless innings in a row.

"These two days were priceless," Hanshin manager Kyuji Fujikawa said through an interpreter.

Hanshin tagged two-time Cy Young award winner Blake Snell for three runs in the fourth inning when the first two batters reached base before Teruaki Sato smoked a three-run homer into the right-field seats, where a jubilant Tigers fan club erupted in celebration.

On the mound, right-hander Hiroto Saiki threw five dominant innings, giving up only one hit and one walk while striking out seven. Saiki struck out Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to start the game and coaxed a harmless popup from the slugger in the fourth.

"Really good ballclub," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I thought they played really good defense. They can handle velocity, good with the fastball. The starter [Saiki] had major league stuff. Good command, good split. And then Sato, he looks the part. He's a really impressive baseball player."

Saiki was one of the best pitchers in Japan last season, finishing with a 13-3 record and a 1.88 ERA over 167 innings. The Tigers had a 74-63 record last season, which was good for second place in Japan's Central League.

The Tigers started the two-game sweep with a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday after 20-year-old lefty Keito Mombetsu threw five perfect innings. No Cubs player reached base until Miguel Amaya smacked a single through the infield in the sixth that just got past the shortstop.

Hanshin also dominated on the basepaths against the Cubs, going 3-for-3 on stolen base attempts.

"They clearly showed they can play at the top level," Roberts said.

Japanese players have made a huge mark on MLB, particularly over the past three decades. Former Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki was recently elected to the Hall of Fame, and this week's Tokyo Series features five Japanese players, including 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 played exhibition games against the Cubs and Dodgers in Japan over the past two days as part of the Tokyo Series. The Cubs and Dodgers open the regular season against each other Tuesday at the Tokyo Dome.

The Cubs defeated the Giants 4-2 on Sunday.

Read 72 times

Soccer

Amorim defends Højlund despite scoring woes

Amorim defends Højlund despite scoring woes

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsRuben Amorim has insisted that Rasmus Højlund is not solely to blam...

Weekend review: Real Madrid still in title race, plus much more

Weekend review: Real Madrid still in title race, plus much more

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThroughout the course of the weekend, the LaLiga title race went fr...

Lewandowski (hamstring) in doubt for UCL semis

Lewandowski (hamstring) in doubt for UCL semis

EmailPrintBarcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is a major doubt for the Copa del Rey final and the C...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Rockets' defense 'good enough,' but offense lags

Rockets' defense 'good enough,' but offense lags

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- Silence enveloped the Houston locker room shortly after...

Butler's poise helps Dubs win Game 1 out of '1997'

Butler's poise helps Dubs win Game 1 out of '1997'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- Jimmy Butler sized up Alperen Sengun, milked the shot cl...

Baseball

O's give up 24 runs in 'embarrassing' loss to Reds

O's give up 24 runs in 'embarrassing' loss to Reds

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles began Sunday with right-hander C...

Padres' Arraez exits on stretcher after collision

Padres' Arraez exits on stretcher after collision

EmailPrintHOUSTON -- San Diego Padres designated hitter Luis Arraez was carted off after colliding w...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated