There were two 2021 debuts that merited attention in NPB on Saturday.
One was the return of Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, who stepped back on an NPB mound for the first time since 2013. The other was a relief appearance by Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks pitcher Carter Stewart Jr. against the Seibu Lions at MetLife Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture.
Tanaka garnered most of the headlines, but Stewart’s first steps in NPB could have a greater impact in the long run.
Stewart was called upon to mop up in the ninth inning of the Hawks’ 7-1 win over the Lions. He threw 19 pitches, walked the first batter he faced, struck out two and topped out at 153 kph (95 mph) in a scoreless inning.
Joe Gunkel wins fourth game as Tigers continue to roll Sorry, but your browser needs Javascript to use this site. If you re not sure how to activate it, please refer to this site: https://www.enable-javascript.com/
Tigers players Joe Gunkel (right) and Yusuke Oyama pose after their win over the Swallows at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, on Sunday. | KYODO
KYODO Apr 19, 2021
Second-year Hanshin Tigers import Joe Gunkel allowed a run over six innings to improve to 4-0 as the Central League-leading Hanshin Tigers held off the Tokyo Yakult Swallows 10-7 on Sunday.
Gunkel struck out six while allowing a walk and five hits. He credited his teammates for his fourth straight win and the Tigers’ seventh straight.
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