Unlucky streak …

Lions win 3rd straight, still in PL cellar

Takayuki Kishi looked like the pitcher of old and the Seibu Lions won their third straight for the first time since late May. The winnings streak, though, hasn’t done much to help them in the standings.

Seibu beat up on the Orix Buffaloes 9-1 at Seibu Dome on Monday, but the Lions are still in last place in the Pacific League.

A five-run first staked Kishi (3-2) to a big lead, and the righty, who has had arm trouble on and off since winning the Japan Series MVP award in 2008, worked six innings and held Orix to a run on four hits and three walks. He fanned seven before departing, and three relievers combined for three scoreless innings to close it out as the Lions won three of four from the Buffaloes.

Six consecutive Lions reached base in the first inning off Hiroshi Kisanuki (1-6), highlighted by Hiroshi Hirao’s two-run double. Hiroyuki Oshima also knocked in a pair with a single.

Hirao added an RBI single in the third, one of 13 Seibu hits, while Takeya Nakamura took over sole possession of the PL RBI lead, knocking in his 50th.

Both benches emptied in the sixth inning when Seibu’s Hiroyuki Nakajima was hit by a pitch. No punches were thrown but Lions skipper Hisanobu Watanabe had to be restrained.

EAGLES 5, FIGHTERS 3

Yuki Saito (2-2) lasted just four innings, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks as Rakuten topped Nippon Ham at Sapporo Dome.

Motohiro Shima had an RBI groundout in the second and added a run-scoring single in a three-run fourth as the Eagles dealt Saito his second loss in as many outings. The rookie righty was sent to the farm after a June 29 loss to Lotte in which he allowed four runs in seven innings and was ineffective again.

Kasuo Matsui had two hits, including and an RBI double, and Yosuke Takasu also had a pair of hits and drove in a run for the Eagles.

Recent addition Bobby Scales ripped his first homer with the Fighters in his fifth game.