Kitayama’s 8 strong innings lift Fighters; Reyes hits 30th
On September 4, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters defeated Rakuten 5-3. Starter Wataru Kitayama went eight innings, allowing three hits and two runs to earn his 11th win (11-3), tying for the league lead. Reyes delivered a two-run 30th homer in the fifth, and Yanagawa closed with his 24th save (attendance 25,337).
Source: 日本野球機構
Takashima earns 6th win as Orix beats Lotte 3-1
On September 4 at Kyocera Dome, the Orix Buffaloes beat the Chiba Lotte Marines 3-1. Starter Takashima picked up his sixth win (6-4), and Machado recorded his 29th save. Orix’s bullpen preserved the late lead in front of 23,875 fans.
Source: 日本野球機構
Takemaru gets 9th win as Giants top Carp 3-1
On September 4 at Mazda Stadium, the Yomiuri Giants defeated the Hiroshima Carp 3-1. Starter Takemaru earned the decision for his ninth win (9-9), and Martinez closed with his 37th save. The game drew 27,566 spectators.
Source: 日本野球機構
Fukunaga’s early homer; Dragons and Swallows finish 1-1 (called)
On September 4 at Jingu, the Yakult–Chunichi game was ended as a called game due to poor field conditions, the official score 1-1. Chunichi’s Fukunaga opened the scoring with a first-inning solo (his 7th), while Yakult’s Nishimura hit a first-inning solo of his own. The contest was halted after the tenth inning (attendance 24,465).
Source: 日本野球機構
Hawks rout Lions 8-2; Maeda exits in 4th
On September 4 at Mizuho PayPay Dome, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks defeated the Saitama Seibu Lions 8-2. Suzuki Go earned the win (his second), and the Hawks poured in five runs in the seventh inning to seal the game. Starter Yugo Maeda left the game in the fourth inning. Attendance was 39,894.
Source: 日本野球機構
Tatsumi homers (12) but Eagles fall 3-5 to Fighters
On September 4, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles lost 5-3 to the Hokkaido Nippon‑Ham Fighters. Ryosuke Tatsumi hit a solo home run in the second for his 12th of the season, but Rakuten’s pitching could not contain the Fighters and starter Koja was charged with the loss. Attendance was 25,337.
Source: 日本野球機構
Ogata to start at Koshien on Sept. 5, eager for new-mound assignment
On September 4, DeNA announced that starter Takato Ogata is scheduled to start at Koshien against Hanshin on September 5. Traded to DeNA in May, Ogata has steadily taken the ball for his new club and said he looks forward to the assignment, aiming to stay focused and feed the team’s momentum in the tight standings.
Source: 日刊スポーツ
Kinoshita extends scoreless run to 12 games, bolstering Tigers’ bullpen
An article dated September 4 reports that Rito Kinoshita entered in the eighth inning and struck out the side to preserve the game, extending his scoreless streak to 12 appearances. Along with the Tigers’ bullpen, Kinoshita’s consistency is helping Hanshin protect leads as they pursue the pennant (article reports the club’s continuing push).
Source: 日刊スポーツ