TBNL: NPB reliever dominance, York wins the Atlantic League

The Hanshin Tigers will head into the NPB postseason (which begins Oct. 11) as the top team in the Central League, finishing the year with an 85-54 record. Part of the driving force behind their dominance this season has been a pair of record performances out of the bullpen.

24-year-old left-hander Masaki Oyokawa was crucial for the Tigers in his fifth season in the league. Oyokawa struck out 66 in 62.0 IP, while allowing just eight earned runs. His 0.87 ERA is the third-lowest mark for a reliever (with at least 50.0 IP) in league history in a single season.

His 28-year-old right-handed teammate, Daichi Ishii, was even more dominant in his 53.0 IP. Ishii allowed just one earned run all season (on April 5 against the Tokyo Giants) and finished the year with a 0.17 ERA, by far the lowest all-time. His 50.0 consecutive scoreless innings streak (which will carry into next season) is an NPB record. Just two players in MLB history have pitched a longer scoreless streak: Orel Hershiser (59.0 IP; Aug. to Sept., 1988) and Don Drysdale (58.0 IP; May to June, 1968).

Since his retirement, Ichiro Suzuki has remained a regular fixture around the Seattle Mariners. The legendary outfielder helps with coaching drills in spring training and has routinely been in the clubhouse before and after games. He and his wife still make Seattle their home.

The 51-year-old (he turns 52 later this month) donned a full Mariners uniform once again on Wednesday. Seattle played a six-inning scrimmage game to keep the players in game shape while they wait to see who they will face in the ALDS. Suzuki played right field, alongside Julio Rodriguez, in front of 5,000 fans who had paid $10 a ticket — with funds going to the Mariners Care Foundation, which mainly focuses on bringing baseball to communities in the Pacific Northwest.

Suzuki still maintains the workout regimen he was famous for during his playing days. He does so, in part, so he can remain a positive example during the annual tournaments he organizes and holds in Japan against a team of high school All-Star girls (former MLB players Hideki Matsui and Daisuke Matsuzaka also played in the game this year). Suzuki’s hope has always been to use the event to grow and promote women’s baseball in Japan.

It took five home runs to overcome a 3-0 deficit, but the York (PA) Revolution beat the High Point (NC) Rockers 7-4 on Wednesday, winning the best-of-five series to claim their second straight Atlantic League Championship.

Shayne Fontana, Kyle Martin, Caleb McNeely, Jaylin Davis, and Elvis Peralta hit the five homers for the Revolution. McNeely’s two-run shot in the fifth inning put them ahead for good. The 25-year-old went undrafted out of West Virginia University in 2023 and spent two seasons playing in independent leagues before getting a chance at affiliated ball with the Twins earlier this year. He hit just .197/.316/.299 in 177 PA with Minnesota’s Class-A affiliate before being released.

Left-hander Brendan Cellucci got the win in relief, while right-hander Nick Mikolajchak closed it out. Cellucci, 27, was a 12th-round pick by the Red Sox in 2019. He pitched to a 5.00 ERA with 350 strikeouts over 259.0 IP during his six seasons in the minors before Boston released him. Mikolajchak, 27, was an 11th-round pick by the then-Indians in that same draft. He posted a 3.08 ERA with 194 Ks over 181.1 IP before Cleveland opted to part ways.

The formerly independent 10-team Atlantic League (now considered one of MLB’s “Premier Partner Leagues”; i.e., a developmental league) has operated for 27 seasons.

During the Division Series games in Philadelphia, fans will be able to take on the “9-9-9 Challenge”. Drink nine beers, eat nine hot dogs, all during nine innings of play. Per Reddit, it’s meant to be a “more manageable” take on the challenge (swap full-size hot dogs and beers for fun-size franks and small pours). It’ll cost fans $54.99. This will prove to be either a marketing winfall or a total disaster.