Hiyama, Arai lift Hanshin over Chunichi

Kyodo

Apr 5, 2008

NISHINOMIYA —
Pinch-hitter Shintaro Hiyama tied the game on an RBI single in the seventh inning and Takahiro Arai followed with a go-head single as the Hanshin Tigers came from behind to down the Chunichi Dragons 3-2 on Tuesday. Scott Atchison (2-0) pitched seven sharp innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out three with no walks in Hanshin’s first home game at the renovated Koshien Stadium. Kyuji Fujikawa gave up one run in the ninth but got Motonobu Tanishige to fly out after loading the bases with two out for his sixth save.

In another Central League game, Yokohama and Yomiuri tied 3-3 after 12 innings. In the Pacific League, Orix hammered Softbank 8-3, Seibu edged Lotte 4-3 and Nippon Ham beat Rakuten 8-7.

Yomiuri's Uehara sets sights on majors

Kyodo

Apr 4, 2008

TOKYO —
Yomiuri Giants right-hander Koji Uehara said Monday he wants to fulfill his dream of playing in the major leagues after meeting the requirements to become a free agent. ‘‘I haven’t seized the dream of playing in the major leagues. That is my ambition,’’ Uehara told a press conference. ‘‘I don’t have that much time left and I want to achieve that goal before I see out my career,’’ added the 33-year-old.Uehara qualified for free agency for the first time on Friday and is expected to formally announce his decision to exercise that option after the end of the season. Uehara has a 106-58 career record with a 2.97 ERA over nine-plus seasons with the Central League club. He took the loss in a 4-3 defeat to the Chunichi Dragons in his first start on Tuesday after returning to the rotation this season.

Sakamoto's slam powers Yomiuri in rout of Hanshin

Kyodo

Apr 7, 2008

TOKYO —
Hayato Sakamoto hit a grand slam to record his career first home run and Hiroshi Kisanuki pitched eight strong innings Sunday as the Yomiuri Giants romped 9-1 over the Hanshin Tigers to win their second game this season. Yoshinobu Takahashi gave Yomiuri a 2-0 lead with a two-run blast in the third and Sakamoto’s drive to the seats in left capped a six-run fifth at Tokyo Dome. Takahashi went deep to right again with a solo shot in the eighth for his fourth homer this season.

In other Central League games, Hiroshima routed Yokohama 17-3 and Chunichi blanked Yakult 6-0. In the Pacific League, Seibu edged Rakuten 4-3, Lotte beat Softbank 5-4 and Nippon Ham defeated Orix 3-2.