CHIBA — Injuries have kept Tohoku Rakuten pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma from making much of an impact on the mound this season. After missing most of the year, and a chance to play in the All-Star game on his home field, Iwakuma was back on the mound Tuesday and made a big impact against the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Hanshin Tigers catcher Akihiro Yano hits a game-winning single to break a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning
against the Yakult Swallows on Tuesday at Koshien Stadium. The Tigers won 4-3.
KYODO PHOTOThe Eagles hurler pitched six solid innings and was backed by Rick Short's three-RBI day as Rakuten beat Lotte 11-7 at Chiba Marine Stadium.