Dodgers fall to Hanshin Tigers in Japan in final | College News
TOKYO — Maybe the Hanshin Tigers are baseball’s actual evil empire.
One day after the Japanese staff, which performs in the Nippon Professional Baseball league, shut out the Chicago Cubs in an exhibition contest on the Tokyo Dome, they did the identical Sunday with a 3-0 win over the defending World Series champion Dodgers — and their almost $400-million roster — in what was the Dodgers’ final tuneup earlier than their season-opening collection right here towards the Cubs.
The Tigers have been led by a very good begin from right-hander Hiroto Saiki, a six-year NPB veteran with a profession 2.41 ERA in the Japanese league. Over 5 scoreless innings, he struck out seven batters, beginning with the primary at-bat of the sport towards Shohei Ohtani. He didn’t give up a hit till the fifth inning, when Max Muncy led off with a single.
Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell delivers towards the Hanshin Tigers on the Tokyo Dome on Sunday.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
By that time, the Tigers had additionally surged out a 3-0 lead, courtesy of a fourth-inning blast from Teruaki Sato off of Dodgers starter Blake Snell — setting off a raucous celebration from the heavy contingent of Tigers followers that made the 2½-hour practice experience from Osaka.
Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts was complimentary of each Saiki and Sato, saying they each appeared like MLB-caliber gamers.
“They’ve clearly showed they can play at the top level,” he stated.
Snell, who was making his final spring outing earlier than a doubtless begin in the Dodgers’ home home-opener back at Dodger Stadium on March 27, began his day with three flawless innings, retiring his first 9 batters whereas placing out 5.
But in the fifth, he issued a leadoff stroll, surrendered a single, then threw an elevated two-strike fastball that Sato deposited into the right-field seats.
Tyler Glasnow completed the sport with three scoreless innings, giving up only one hit whereas placing out six.
For the Dodgers, nevertheless, the true focus got here earlier than the sport, when shortstop Mookie Betts, who’s questionable for the staff’s season-opening contests Tuesday and Wednesday as a result of of an sickness, went by means of pregame hitting and fielding drills.
On a number of events, Betts appeared fatigued taking ground balls. After the sport, Roberts acknowledged Betts “really showed some fatigue, understandably so” as he continues to recuperate from an sickness that has stored him out of spring motion since March 9.
Asked the probability that Betts is in the opening day lineup, Roberts didn’t sound optimistic.
“We’re really trying to be mindful of not just Opening Day but not putting him in harm’s way,” Roberts stated. “Not to put him in a position where he potentially could get hurt.”
Betts is anticipated to take part in the Dodgers’ off-day exercise Monday. But, Roberts famous, if he continues exhibiting indicators of fatigue, “I just don’t think the training staff would feel good about that.”
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