Yurisbel Gracial scores two runs in Halcones de SoftBank victory

November 21, 2020

Yurisbel Gracial connected two singles in four at-bats this Saturday and scored on a pair of occasions to contribute to the SoftBank Hawks' victory over the Yomiuri Giants (5-1), in the first game of the Japan Series, held at Kyocera Dome in Osaka.

The Caribbean player, named most valuable player of the event last year, left his initial average at .500 and defensively handled left field securely.

His teammate and compatriot Alfredo Despaigne added a single in four plate appearances to place his initial average at .250.

Meanwhile, fellow Cuban Liván Moinelo allowed no hits nor runs and struck out three opponents in a relief inning to maintain his ERA at 0.00.

Ryoya Kurihara, SoftBank's right fielder, was the offensive star of the game, after hitting a home run and a pair of doubles in three at-bats, and driving in the first four runs. His average finished at 1.000.

Infielder Akira Nakamura produced the fifth run of the game with a single to left field in the opening of the eighth inning.

Yomiuri's only run came courtesy of a sacrifice fly by American Zelous Wheeler in the closing of the ninth inning.

Right-hander Kodai Senga earned the victory after allowing just three hits without runs in seven solid innings, in which he struck out six opponents and issued three walks. His ERA finished at 0.00.

Also right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano took the loss after allowing four runs and six hits in six complete innings. His ERA finished at 6.00.

The second game of the Series will be held on Sunday at the same venue.