9 hours ago
Baseball: Chusei Mannami's 2-RBI double gives Fighters win over Lions
TOKOROZAWA, Saitama (Kyodo) -- Chusei Mannami hit a go-ahead, two-RBI double to give the Pacific League-leading Nippon Ham Fighters a 5-2 comeback win against the Seibu Lions as intraleague play resumed Friday.
Mannami broke a 2-2 deadlock with one out and the bases loaded in the top of the eighth inning at Belluna Dome, driving his first pitch from right-hander Hiroshi Kaino (2-3) to right field.
Nippon Ham starter Hiromi Ito (8-4) threw eight impressive innings, finishing with 12 strikeouts after allowing two early runs.
The Fighters tied the game with two runs in the fourth, including a home run from catcher-cum-outfielder Yua Tamiya, who started in left field.
Nippon Ham manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo credited his team's youthful vigor for its track record of winning close games this season against tough opponents.
"We have a slight advantage because we are young," he said. "It's a matter of physical strength.
