Some teams have a special “killer.
Hanshin Tigers left-hander Masashi Ito, 27, threw a perfect game against the Yomiuri Giants on April 1. He held the Yomiuri bats scoreless on four hits through the seventh inning in an away game at the Tokyo Dome. It was his third win of the season in 44 days, having not pitched since May 18 against the Chunichi Dragons.
There was a scoring threat in the bottom of the fourth inning. Singles to Yuto Akihiro, No. 3, and Takumi Oshiro, No. 5, put runners on first and third. The next batter, Adam Walker, flied out to right field. Retired Kazuma Okamoto, the No. 4 hitter, in order in three straight at-bats, including a swinging strikeout.
Has started 10 games this season, finishing nine with a quality start (six or more innings pitched, three earned runs or less). Started the season nearly a month late due to left shoulder soreness. By Day 1, he had pitched 68⅔ innings, just shy of the required 72 innings, with a 2.23 ERA. Not bad for a starter.
But there’s something that stands out.
In his two starts against Yomiuri this season, Ito has thrown 16 consecutive scoreless innings. He tossed a nine-inning shutout against Yomiuri on April 27 at Koshien Stadium. It was his only complete game this season. Two of his three wins this year have come against Yomiuri.카지노
He was also strong against Yomiuri last season. He had three wins against Yomiuri, two of which were complete games. He recorded his first professional complete game victory against Yomiuri on May 22 last year at Koshien Stadium.
In two years pitching for Yomiuri, he has five wins and three complete games. He allowed one run in 40 innings.
This is especially noteworthy because Yomiuri is Hanshin’s eternal rival. Ito threw six complete games last year, the most in both leagues.
On Day 1, Yomiuri ace Tomoyuki Sugano pitched seven innings of one-run ball, but was outdueled by Ito. Hanshin swept the series 3-0 to take a commanding lead in the Central League. They extended their lead over the second-place Yokohama BayStars to two games.