
Baseball: Masuda, Yamasaki lead Giants past Carp
KANAZAWA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Riku Masuda drove in two runs with a homer and a double to back a solid outing by Iori Yamasaki as the Yomiuri Giants beat the Hiroshima Carp 4-1 on Wednesday.
Solo home runs by Masuda and Trey Cabbage turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 Yomiuri lead in the bottom of the first inning. Masuda also made it 3-1 with an RBI double in a two-run seventh at Ishikawa Prefectural Stadium.
Yamasaki (6-1) held the Carp to one run in 6-1/3 innings, striking out seven.
Raidel Martinez picked up his 19th save. Daichi Osera (2-3) took the loss.
Among Wednesday's other games, Ukyo Shuto hit a walk-off double to give the SoftBank Hawks a 2-1 win over the Pacific League-leading Nippon Ham Fighters. The Seibu Lions blanked the Rakuten Eagles 6-0.

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Kyodo News
2 days ago
- Kyodo News
Baseball: Hideki Matsui pays final respects to Nagashima at private viewing
KYODO NEWS - 15 hours ago - 18:04 | Sports, All Former Yomiuri Giant and New York Yankee Hideki Matsui visited the home of Shigeo Nagashima on Wednesday to offer condolences following his former manager's death a day earlier. The 50-year-old Matsui had joined Yomiuri after Nagashima -- affectionately called "Mr. Giants," "Mr. Pro Baseball," or oftentimes just "Mister" -- secured negotiating rights to the slugger in the 1992 draft, soon after returning to management. "The biggest thing is gratitude. Without getting to meet him, baseball player Hideki Matsui would have spent a totally different baseball career," Matsui, who had last met Nagashima in early January, said being given the opportunity to see him in repose at his home. "He drew me at the draft. He taught me precious things through his practice swings." Matsui, who currently resides in the United States, flew back to Japan and made the visit early Wednesday morning, staying at the home for over two hours. "I spent the time recalling many memories. I felt as if his mind was still there and he would open his eyes at any moment," said Matsui, who developed into one of the most feared sluggers in Japan under Nagashima's enthusiastic guidance. A charismatic figure, Nagashima rose to stardom during Japan's era of rapid economic growth, helping Yomiuri win nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965. He was the CL batting champion six times, the home run king twice and the RBI leader and the CL MVP five times each. As Giants manager, he won five pennants, including two Japan Series titles, over 15 seasons spanning two stints before leaving the role in 2001. Matsui, nicknamed "Godzilla," won the CL MVP three times and hit 332 home runs for Yomiuri, claiming the CL pennant three times under Nagashima in 1994, 1996 and 2000 and the Japan Series twice in 1994 and 2000. "We've shared many moments, and I feel I'm a really fortunate person," Matsui said. He joined the Yankees in 2003 and had 175 homers over 10 seasons in the majors, becoming the first Japanese player to win the World Series MVP in 2009 when he hit three homers. Nagashima and Matsui both received the People's Honor Award in 2013, bestowed by then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for outstanding achievements in sports, entertainment and other fields. "We made a promise when he was alive," Matsui said without giving away any details. "I want to fulfill that promise." On Tuesday, MLB offered its condolences on X, saying, "We are saddened by the passing of Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima," alongside a photo and a summary of his career achievements. Former Seattle Mariner and U.S. Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki told Kyodo News that Nagashima's impact is unrivaled. "The reason why people above a certain age wanted to become a baseball player was because of Mr. Nagashima's performance, which was always cool," he said. "His service in letting people know about baseball is immeasurable." "More than anything, he had a dignity nobody could imitate." Related coverage: Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima dead at 89 Tributes to Nagashima pour in from Japanese sports world


The Mainichi
2 days ago
- The Mainichi
Baseball: Fujioka, Ishikawa lift Marines to victory over Giants
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Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Baseball Stars, Mourners Pay Tribute to Yomiuri Giants Legend Shigeo Nagashima; Former Pro Hideki Matsui Pays Respects on Return from U.S.
The Yomiuri Shimbun Hideki Matsui stands before reporters after a condolence visit in Tokyo on Wednesday. Former professional baseball player Hideki Matsui on Wednesday visited the home of his mentor Shigeo Nagashima, the Yomiuri Giants lifetime honorary manager who died the previous day. Matsui, 50, who returned from the United States early in the morning, spent about two hours paying his respects to Nagashima, who was known as 'Mr. Pro Baseball.' 'I was shocked to hear that he had passed away,' Matsui said. 'I felt as though he had willpower and would open his eyes at any moment.' Matsui joined the Yomiuri Giants in 1993. Through one-on-one batting and other practice sessions with Nagashima, who was the team's manager at the time, Matsui became one of the most powerful hitters in professional baseball. Their mentor-mentee relationship continued even after Matsui joined the New York Yankees in 2003, laying the foundation for his impressive achievements, including hitting a combined 507 career home runs in Japan and the major leagues. He also won the World Series MVP award in 2009 with the Yankees. In 2013, Matsui received the People's Honor Award together with Nagashima. Mourners sign condolence book The Yomiuri Shimbun Mourners sign a condolence book for Shigeo Nagashima at the Giants Town Stadium in Inagi, Tokyo, on Wednesday. Mourners signed a condolence book for Nagashima at the main square of the Giants Town Stadium in Inagi, Tokyo, on Wednesday. Items such as a baseball uniform he wore during his prolific career and his cherished bat and glove were on display alongside photos at the memorial site set up at the new venue of the Yomiuri Giants' farm team. When the site opened at 9 a.m., about 30 people who had been waiting outside lined up to sign the book, with some shedding tears. 'He was a hero from my youth who gave me strength and encouragement at key moments in my life,' a 75-year-old from Nerima Ward, Tokyo, said. Signing of the condolence book will also be possible on Thursday.