The Hanshin Tigers are not leaving their opponents much room for error lately, so once DeNA BayStars pitcher Trevor Bauer allowed a run in the second inning of their game on Sunday in Yokohama, Hanshin was in the driver’s seat.
The Tigers only scored once more — an RBI single by starting pitcher Masashi Ito in the fourth — but that was all it took. Ito, who had two hits, went the distance, striking out three and walking one, in a 2-0 victory that helped the Tigers further dig their claws into the CL pennant race.
“My fastball was good and I was able to keep my breaking balls down,” Ito said after the game, according to the Tigers’ official website. “I’m also glad I was able to get a hit. “I’ve been able to win five straight games with the fielders helping me, and I want to keep going.”