NPB/ Giants frustrate Dragons again, secure playoff spot

October 17, 2011

Alex Ramirez belted a three-run home run as the Yomiuri Giants grilled the Central League-leading Chunichi Dragons 12-4 on Oct. 16 to secure a spot in the CL postseason playoffs that gets under way on Oct. 29.

Ramirez hit a home run in the fourth inning off Chunichi starter Daisuke Yamai to give the Giants a 7-0 lead, marking the fourth game in a row that the Giants slugger has gone deep.

The Dragons, who are a win away from clinching the league pennant, suffered three straight losses to the Giants.

Meanwhile, the Hanshin Tigers announced on Oct. 16 that manager Akinobu Mayumi will resign his post at the end of the season.

In the Pacific League, Masahiro Tanaka hurled a nine-inning shutout as the Rakuten Eagles defeated the Nippon-Ham Fighters 2-0 at Sapporo Dome.

This was Tanaka's 19th victory of the season to lead the PL. He also leads the PL with a sparkling 1.27 ERA.

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Dragons pitcher Daisuke Yamai looks on in frustration after giving up a three-run homer to Alex Ramirez in the fourth inning at Tokyo Dome on Oct. 16. (Minako Yoshimoto)

Dragons pitcher Daisuke Yamai looks on in frustration after giving up a three-run homer to Alex Ramirez in the fourth inning at Tokyo Dome on Oct. 16. (Minako Yoshimoto)

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  • Dragons pitcher Daisuke Yamai looks on in frustration after giving up a three-run homer to Alex Ramirez in the fourth inning at Tokyo Dome on Oct. 16. (Minako Yoshimoto)