Japanese Baseball Oct 1, 2013

Eagles' Tanaka improves to 23-0 in magical season

As if on cue, the Pacific League pennant winner Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles came through for right-hander Masahiro Tanaka — and big. After being held scoreless in three consecutive games since clinching the PL title on Sept. 26, the Eagles erupted with a six-run ...

Baseball | SPORTS SCOPE Sep 30, 2013

Another challenge awaits Rakuten

by Jason Coskrey

Clinching the Pacific League pennant a little early gave the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles a chance to really enjoy the moment. Ace Masahiro Tanaka, 22-0 this season, was on the mound for the last inning of the PL pennant race on Sept. 26 at ...

Japanese Baseball | NPB NOTEBOOK Sep 29, 2013

Few issues left in play as season nears finish

by Jason Coskrey

Nippon Professional Baseball has crowned its 2013 league champions and most of the spots in the Climax Series have already been spoken for. Even so, there are still a number of questions remaining and storylines to be wrapped up as the season enters the ...

Japanese Baseball Sep 26, 2013

Eagles clinch first Pacific League title

In a game of high drama, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles clinched their first Pacific League pennant on Thursday night in a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Seibu Lions.

Japanese Baseball | NPB NOTEBOOK Sep 22, 2013

Home run king Balentien nearing another conquest

by Jason Coskrey

Wladimir Balentien has hit more home runs than any NPB player has ever hit in a single season and through Sunday had 13 games left to add to his record total which stood at 58. As if Balentien’s year wasn’t already impressive enough, the ...

Japanese Baseball Sep 6, 2013

Tanaka tosses complete-game victory, raises record to 20-0

Masahiro Tanaka equaled the mark for Japan’s longest winning streak within a single season as he improved to 20-0 on Friday in the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles’ 3-2 win over the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. The 24-year-old Eagles ace has won 24 consecutive decisions ...

Japanese Baseball Aug 30, 2013

Eagles' Tanaka improves to 19-0 on season, wins 23rd straight decision

Masahiro Tanaka allowed three runs in seven innings on Friday to win his 23rd consecutive decision as the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles defeated the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks 11-6. Tanaka (19-0) surrendered seven hits and issued two walks, while striking out six. He went into ...

Japanese Baseball Aug 23, 2013

Eagles ace Tanaka improves to 18-0

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles right-hander Masahiro Tanaka won his 22nd consecutive decision Friday, extending his own Japanese pro baseball record dating back to Aug. 26, 2012. Tanaka, 24, improved to 18-0 on the season after pitching seven shutout innings to open Pacific League leader ...

Japanese Baseball Aug 16, 2013

Eagles' Tanaka sets NPB record by winning 21st straight decision

by Jason Coskrey

Masahiro Tanaka’s winning streak has come a long way since his loss to the Seibu Lions last season. Back on the mound where he last tasted defeat, Tanaka brought the streak around full circle, just in time to write his name in the record ...

Japanese Baseball Aug 15, 2013

Status of posting system may put Tanaka in limbo

by Jason Coskrey

Masahiro Tanaka figures to be one of the most intriguing NPB exports if the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles decide to post the star right-hander after the season. It’s widely believed Tanaka will request to make the move to the major leagues, and that Rakuten ...

Japanese Baseball Aug 12, 2013

Eagles to ask Tanaka to stay for 2014

The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles will ask their ace Masahiro Tanaka to put off a likely move to the major leagues and stay for another season, team president Yozo Tachibana said Monday. “We will, of course, ask him to play for us next year,” ...