Hanshin Tigers Dominate MLB Teams in Tokyo Series
Mar 16, 2025, 06:18 AM ET
TOKYO — The Hanshin Tigers have made quite the statement over the past two days in Japan, showcasing their prowess and proving that Japanese baseball is a force to be reckoned with. In a thrilling display of skill and strategy, the Tigers completed a two-game sweep over Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs, culminating in a 3-0 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday at the Tokyo Dome.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the fact that the Tigers managed to keep their opponents scoreless in both games. Daichi Ishii was the hero of the moment, recording the final out by striking out James Outman with a blazing 95 mph fastball, thus sealing 18 consecutive scoreless innings for the Tigers.
Hanshin manager Kyuji Fujikawa, speaking through an interpreter, expressed his delight, saying, “These two days were priceless.”
The Tigers’ offensive prowess was on full display when they faced two-time Cy Young award winner Blake Snell. In the fourth inning, the first two batters reached base, setting the stage for Teruaki Sato to launch a three-run homer into the right-field seats. The Tigers’ fan club erupted in celebration, a testament to the excitement and passion surrounding Japanese baseball.
On the pitching front, right-hander Hiroto Saiki delivered a masterful performance, throwing five dominant innings. He allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out seven batters. Saiki’s impressive outing included striking out Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to start the game and inducing a harmless popup from the slugger in the fourth inning.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had high praise for the Tigers, stating, “Really good ballclub. 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’s performance is no surprise, considering he was one of the best pitchers in Japan last season, finishing with a 13-3 record and a 1.88 ERA over 167 ⅔ innings. The Tigers themselves had a strong season, finishing with a 74-63 record, which secured them second place in Japan’s Central League.
The Tigers’ impressive run began with a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. In that game, 20-year-old lefty Keito Mombetsu was the star, throwing five perfect innings. The Cubs struggled to get on base, with Miguel Amaya finally breaking through with a single in the sixth inning.
Hanshin also showcased their speed and agility on the basepaths against the Cubs, going 3-for-3 on stolen base attempts. This further demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest level, as noted by Roberts, who said, “They clearly showed they can play at the top level.”
Japanese players have been making waves in MLB for decades, with legends like Ichiro Suzuki recently being elected to the Hall of Fame. This week’s Tokyo Series featured five Japanese players, including three on the Dodgers: Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki. The Cubs also boast Japanese talent with Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga.
The Tokyo Series has seen the Tigers and Yomiuri Giants face off against the Cubs and Dodgers in exhibition games. The Cubs and Dodgers are set to open the regular season against each other on Tuesday at the Tokyo Dome, adding to the excitement of this international baseball showcase.
In another matchup, the Cubs managed to defeat the Giants 4-2 on Sunday, providing a glimpse of the competitive spirit that defines this series.
- Hanshin Tigers sweep MLB teams in Tokyo Series
- 18 consecutive scoreless innings for the Tigers
- Impressive performances by Hiroto Saiki and Teruaki Sato
- Japanese baseball continues to shine on the global stage
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
