Two-time Pacific League strikeout leader Takahiro Norimoto continued amassing whiffs on Friday, when he struck out 12 over eight innings in the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles' 4-2 win over the Seibu Lions.
Norimoto (2-0), who brought his best fastball to the game, allowed two runs on six hits and two walks before a weekday afternoon crowd of 25,607 at Kobo Stadium Miyagi. A week earlier, Norimoto struck out 11 in his Opening Day start against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
"It's really easy pitching here, but I still want to pitch more economically," said Norimoto after his 140-pitch effort. "In situations where I wanted them, I was able to get swings and misses."