Hanshin 1, at Yomiuri 3

TOKYO (Interstat) — In a season opener that defied pregame projections, the Yomiuri Giants capitalized on early power and a dominant pitching performance to defeat the Hanshin Tigers 3-1 on Friday night before a crowd of 42,111 at the Tokyo Dome. The Giants, installed as underdogs by both betting markets and statistical models, seized control immediately against Hanshin ace Shoki Murakami. Leadoff hitter Trey Cabbage, making his Yomiuri debut, launched Murakami’s first pitch of the bottom of the first inning over the right-field wall for a solo home run, electrifying the home crowd and setting an assertive tone. Yomiuri continued… Read more...