Giants Fall Three Games Behind Hanshin After Third Straight Loss, Nine-Homer Series
The Giants lost to the Hanshin Tigers at Tokyo Dome on 13 May, marking their third consecutive defeat. The two teams entered the game tied for first place, but the direct matchup pushed the Giants three games behind Hanshin in the standings. Giants pitchers surrendered nine home runs over the three-game series, and the team finished with a 2-10 home record against Hanshin this season, losing the season series for a second straight year.
The Giants fell to the Hanshin Tigers at Tokyo Dome on 13 May, suffering their third consecutive defeat. The two teams entered the game tied for first place, and after this direct showdown, the Giants now trail Hanshin by three games in the standings. Over the three-game series, Giants pitchers were tagged for nine home runs, giving the team a 2-10 home record against Hanshin this season and a second consecutive year of losing the season series.
Acting manager Hideki Hashigami said after the game that the ballpark has characteristics that make home runs more likely, adding that opponents find it easier to go deep there. Starting pitcher Nishidate, who had given his team a two-run lead, allowed a solo home run to Sato in the fourth inning before surrendering a go-ahead two-run homer to Sakamoto, batting seventh, in the sixth. Nishidate said afterwards that he had hoped to maintain the lead and hand the game to the bullpen, but the result was regrettable.