Seibu Pitcher Sugai Suffers Third Straight Loss as Team Drops to Last Place
The Seibu Lions fell to last place in the Pacific League after suffering their third consecutive loss, marking the first time this season they have lost three games in a row. In a match against the Orix Buffaloes on April 16, 2026, at Kyocera Dome, starting pitcher Shinya Sugai struggled significantly. Despite an early lead provided by a timely hit from catcher Taiga Kojima in the fourth inning, Sugai allowed three runs and six hits before being removed after throwing 88 pitches. He admitted to pitching too cautiously and failing to secure strikes effectively. Manager Fumiya Nishiguchi expressed disappointment but emphasized the need for the team to mentally reset and switch gears. The Lions are now preparing for a crucial three-game series against the Nippon-Ham Fighters in Hokkaido, starting April 17. Nishiguchi acknowledged the strength of the upcoming opponent but stressed the importance of making a solid transition to stop the losing streak and improve the team's standing.
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Seibu Pitcher Sugai Suffers Third Straight Loss as Team Drops to Last Place
The Seibu Lions fell to last place in the Pacific League after suffering their third consecutive loss, marking the first time this season they have lost three games in a row. In a match against the Orix Buffaloes on April 16, 2026, at Kyocera Dome, starting pitcher Shinya Sugai struggled significantly. Despite an early lead provided by a timely hit from catcher Taiga Kojima in the fourth inning, Sugai allowed three runs and six hits before being removed after throwing 88 pitches. He admitted to pitching too cautiously and failing to secure strikes effectively. Manager Fumiya Nishiguchi expressed disappointment but emphasized the need for the team to mentally reset and switch gears. The Lions are now preparing for a crucial three-game series against the Nippon-Ham Fighters in Hokkaido, starting April 17. Nishiguchi acknowledged the strength of the upcoming opponent but stressed the importance of making a solid transition to stop the losing streak and improve the team's standing.
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