New York – Major League Baseball’s crisis of the moment will be worth the short-term distraction, Commissioner Rob Manfred said on Wednesday, if the league’s effort restores balance to the product on the field. The league’s enhanced enforcement of foreign-substance usage by pitchers has made mandatory umpire checks a strange […]
Home runs power Buffaloes to 11th-straight winning decision
The Pacific League-leading Orix Buffaloes rode solo home runs from rookie Kotaro Kurebayashi, Olympic team member Masataka Yoshida and slugger Yutaro Sugimoto to beat the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters 3-1 on Wednesday and win their 11th consecutive decision. The win streak is the franchise’s longest since the Hankyu Braves managed […]
Shohei Ohtani gets no decision as Angels fall to Giants in 13 innings
Anaheim, California – Los Angeles Angels starter Shohei Ohtani did not factor into the decision in Wednesday’s 9-3 extra-inning loss to the San Francisco Giants, tossing more than 100 pitches for only the third time in his MLB career. Ohtani pitched six innings of one-run ball, giving up six hits […]
Know your news: Shohei Ohtani
How closely have you been following the MLB phenomenon that is Shohei Ohtani this stellar season? Step up to plate and show us your stuff, slugger. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing, you can help us get the […]
Padres’ Yu Darvish fastest MLB pitcher to get 1,500 strikeouts
San Diego – Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish struck out 11 and tossed six innings of one-run ball, setting an all-time Major League Baseball record and helping the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 on Monday. Darvish’s 11th strikeout was also his 1,500th major league strikeout and he […]
Shohei Ohtani named AL Player of the Week for third time
New York – Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani was named Player of the Week for the American League on Monday, claiming the Major League Baseball award for the third time in his career. Ohtani earned the honor for the June 14-20 period, hitting .296 with six home runs […]
Justin Smoak’s departure puts family issues in spotlight in NPB
Family was the dominant theme in NPB last week. The Japanese baseball world received some stunning news on Thursday, when it was revealed Yomiuri Giants infielder Justin Smoak was leaving the team, and Japan, in order to be with his family. Smoak, who was in his first NPB season, has […]
Shohei Ohtani moves into tie for MLB home run lead during Angels’ loss
Anaheim, California – Shohei Ohtani hit his 23rd home run of the season Sunday and is now tied with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the MLB lead, but the Los Angeles Angels still lost 5-3 to the Detroit Tigers in 10 innings. Ohtani tied the game at 3-3 in the fifth […]
Shohei Ohtani continues home run tear as Angels win
Shohei Ohtani continued his home run onslaught, helping lead the Los Angeles Angels to an 8-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night in Anaheim, California. Ohtani, who announced on Friday he would participate in the Home Run Derby during baseball’s All-Star festivities next month, has hit five home […]
Shohei Ohtani to contest Home Run Derby at MLB All-Star Game
ANAHEIM, California – Shohei Ohtani will enter this year’s Major League Baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, the Los Angeles Angels two-way star revealed Friday, becoming the first Japanese player to compete in the event. Ohtani made the announcement to fans on his Instagram account with a video showing several of […]