NPB Highlights and Standings (week of June 1, 2003)
Central League
W L T Pct GB
36 17 1 .679 Hanshin Tigers
28 23 1 .549 7.0 Yomiuri Giants
27 26 0 .509 9.0 Chunichi Dragons
26 26 0 .500 9.5 Yakult Swallows
20 26 0 .435 12.5 Hiroshima Carp
16 35 0 .314 19.0 Yokohama BayStarsPacific League
W L T Pct GB
31 21 1 .596 Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
31 22 0 .585 0.5 Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes
28 24 1 .538 3.0 Seibu Lions
24 27 2 .471 6.5 Nippon Ham Fighters
22 28 0 .440 8.0 Chiba Lotte Marines
17 31 2 .354 12.0 Orix BlueWave
Daiei Hawks 5 - Orix BlueWave 4:
Three hits each by Tadahito Iguchi and Munenori Kawasaki slipped the Hawks past the BlueWave at Fukuoka Dome to preserve their slim half game lead in the Pacific League. Kazumi Saito (7-2) got the win yielding four runs and six hits in six innings. Matt Skrmetta picked up his 11th save of 2003. Mac Suzuki (0-2) gave up five runs in 1-2/3 innings for the loss in his second start in Japan.
Osaka Kintetesu Buffaloes 3 - Nippon Ham Fighters 1:
Ken Kadokura (3-0) struck out nine batters, allowing only one run and three hits in eight innings to beat the Fighters at Tokyo Dome. Toyohiko Yoshida finished for his third save of the year.
Chiba Lotte Marines 5 - Seibu Lions 4:
Kiyoshi Hatsushiba drove in two runs with a double in the seventh inning to lead the Marines over the Lions at Seibu Dome. Alex Cabrera and Kazuhiro Wada hit back to back home runs for Seibu in the sixth inning to temporarilly tie the game. Reliver Takashi Kawai (2-0) pitched 1-1/3 innings for the win. Masahide Kobayashi notched his 13th save of 2003.
Hanshin Tigers 5 - Chunichi Dragons 2:
Atsushi Kataoka hit an RBI single and lofted a solo home run to help defeat the Dragons at Koshien Stadium. Keiichi Yabu (5-2) claimed the victory allowing only two runs on seven hits in seven innings. Aussie Jeff Williams got his 17th save of the year, despite another shaky outing.
Hiroshima Carp 6 - Yomiuri Giants 2:
The Carp drove in four runs in the eighth inning to crush the Giants at Hiroshima Municipal Stadium. Andy Sheets contributed with an RBI double in that same inning that saw 10 Hiroshima batters come to the plate. Chris Brock (3-5) struck out five batters, yielding five hits and two unearned runs in eight innings for the victory. Giants' starter Gary Rath (2-1) gave up six earned runs in 7-1/3 inning with three balks (tied Japanese record with four others) to lose the game.
Yakult Swallows at Yokohama BayStars:
Rained out.
Nippon Professional Baseball - June 5, 2003
Central League
W L T Pct GB
37 17 1 .685 Hanshin Tigers
28 24 1 .538 8.0 Yomiuri Giants
27 27 0 .500 10.0 Chunichi Dragons
26 26 0 .500 10.0 Yakult Swallows
21 26 0 .447 12.5 Hiroshima Carp
16 35 0 .314 19.5 Yokohama BayStarsPacific League
W L T Pct GB
32 21 1 .604 Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
32 22 0 .593 0.5 Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes
28 25 1 .528 4.0 Seibu Lions
24 28 2 .462 7.5 Nippon Ham Fighters
23 28 0 .451 8.0 Chiba Lotte Marines
17 32 2 .347 13.0 Orix BlueWave
Hanshin Tigers 2 - Chunichi Dragons 1:
Hideki Irabu struck out 11 batters while yielding nine hits to beat the Dragons at Koshien Stadium. Teruyoshi Kuji drove in both runs for the Tigers with a second-inning triple and a sixth-inning bases loaded sacrifice fly. Motonobu Tanishige had Chunichi's only run, a homer with two down in the nineth.
[westbaystars: According to Nikkan Sports, Irabu now leads the league in wins (7), ERA (2.20), and strike outs (80). While with Lotte, Irabu lead the league in wins once and in ERA and strike outs twice each. If he can keep this up throughout the season, Irabu will be the first player to hold all three titles in both leagues.]
Hiroshima Carp 7 - Yomiuri Giants 6:
Junya Sakai gave up a sayonara home run to the Carp's Andy Sheets in the bottom of the ninth inning at Hiroshima Municipal Stadium.
Yakult Swallows 4 - Yokohama BayStars 3:
Ken Suzuki's first-inning two-run homer and fourth-inning one-run round tripper, both off of Yokohama starter Yuji Yoshimi (2-6), lifted the Swallows past the BayStars at Yokohama Stadium. Kevin Hodges (3-5) got the victory while striking out four batters and allowing three hits in seven innings. Takahiro Saeki and Katsuaki Furuki both hit solo homers off of Takatsu in the bottom of the ninth for Yokohama to bring them to within one run.
[westbaystars: Once again the BayStars failed to win three in a row. This was something like their fifth chance this season. Argh.]
Nippon Professional Baseball - June 6, 2003
Central League
W L T Pct GB
38 17 1 .691 Hanshin Tigers
28 25 1 .528 9.0 Yomiuri Giants
27 26 0 .509 10.0 Yakult Swallows
27 28 0 .491 11.0 Chunichi Dragons
22 26 0 .458 12.5 Hiroshima Carp
16 36 0 .308 20.5 Yokohama BayStarsPacific League
W L T Pct GB
32 21 1 .604 Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
32 22 0 .593 0.5 Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes
28 25 1 .528 4.0 Seibu Lions
24 28 2 .462 7.5 Nippon Ham Fighters
23 28 0 .451 8.0 Chiba Lotte Marines
17 32 2 .347 13.0 Orix BlueWave
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June 3, 2003