Yuki Yanagita scored two runs, highlighted by a solo home run, helping last year’s Pacific League champions, the SoftBank Hawks, secure their opening victory of the new season with a 5-1 win over the Nippon Ham Fighters, marking their first loss.
Left-handed pitcher Livan Moinelo from Cuba (1-0) assisted the Hawks in breaking their losing streak at the start of the season by pitching seven innings with only one run allowed, securing the victory at Es Con Field Hokkaido. He struck out six batters and gave up just two hits along with a walk and a hit batter.
Yanagita drove in a run with a single during the first inning. In the top of the second, Shuto Ukyo’s double and Akira Nakamura’s single contributed an additional run each for the Hawks. The Fighters managed to score their sole run in the bottom half when Yuki Nomura hit a solo homerun to left field.
Yanagita smashed a 2-0 fastball from Nippon Ham’s starting pitcher Hiromi Ito (0-1), sending it out of the park in center field during the fifth inning. At the same time, Kenta Imamiya hit a solo home run. Over five innings, Ito conceded five earned runs off nine hits and one walk.
I wanted desperately to secure our initial victory after losing the first three games," Yanagita stated. "Moinelo performed brilliantly, and I am certain he had the team’s success in mind as well. I plan to express my appreciation to him afterward.
In the Central League, the Chunichi Dragons broke the Yomiuri Giants' unbeaten streak with a 3-2 victory. The reigning Japan Series champions, DeNA BayStars, defeated the Hanshin Tigers 7-1.
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