On March 16, 2025, the Hanshin Tigers showcased their prowess by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-0 at the Tokyo Dome, marking yet another impressive performance as they gear up for the upcoming season. This preseason game saw Koki Sato, the 26-year-old infielder, shine brightest as he crushed a game-winning three-run homer off Dodgers' left-handed pitcher Blake Snell, who has been awarded the prestigious Cy Young Award twice.
The game began with both teams being held at bay until the fourth inning, where the tide turned dramatically. Prior to Sato's electrifying at-bat, the Dodgers' Snell had dominated the Tigers' lineup, tossing effective pitches and keeping the score leveled. Yet, following walks to Tigers’ players Kiyotaka Nakano and Koji Chikamoto, Sato stepped up to the plate.
With the pressure mounting, Sato faced Snell, who threw him a high inside fastball clocked at 95 mph (approximately 153 kph). Sato managed to connect with the pitch, driving it deep to right-center field, eliciting roars of excitement from the crowd as the ball sailed over the wall.
After hitting the homer, Sato expressed his exhilaration, stating, “I was thrilled to deliver such great results,” highlighting how the home run filled him with confidence. He had carefully studied Snell's pitching prior to their matchup, reviewing footage to prepare for the encounter. “Today, I think I did well responding to fast pitches. I feel like I added one more tool to my batting skills,” he reflected.
While Sato garnered the spotlight, the game was also defined by outstanding pitching from Hanshin’s starter, Hiroto Ozaki, who yielded only one hit throughout five innings. He struck out seven and even managed to silence the Dodgers’ rising star, Shohei Ohtani, who went hitless against him, concluding the game with two at-bats: one ended with strikeout and the other with a harmless flyout.
Hanshin's manager, Fujikawa, praised his team's performance, emphasizing the significance of the two preseason games against major league teams. “This performance can set the tone for our season,” he noted, expressing pride over the collective effort, particularly the pitching staff's ability to execute its game plan effectively.
Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Snell’s earlier success but pointed out his struggles in the fourth when walks led to the pivotal home run. “Snell had great command initially, but he lost control, and it cost us,” Roberts commented, reinforcing the balance between pitching excellence and the unpredictability inherent to baseball.
This game is part of the MLB Tokyo Series, which will continue with the Dodgers facing the Cubs later this month at the Tokyo Dome on March 18 and 19. The thrill from Hanshin's victory resonates strongly with fans, who celebrated the team's capability to compete against MLB talent. The strength shown by Sato and the pitching staff bodes well for the team’s ambitions this season.
Indeed, this victory over such a formidable opponent has not only validated Hanshin’s preparations but also sets optimistic expectations for the forthcoming league season. It underscored the team's ability to thrive under pressure and highlighted the growth of players like Sato who are ready to take on more significant roles.
Overall, this preseason matchup served as a captivating prelude to what promises to be another exciting season for the Hanshin Tigers, creating renewed hope among their fanbase as they look to reclaim dominant standing within Japanese baseball.