Rain Once Again Keeps Hawks, Eagles From Taking Flight

The Hawks were somewhat lucky to get another rainout today because they have ducked Iwakuma not once, but twice. Since these games will be made up at the end of the season, maybe the Hawks duck Iwakuma entirely?

Either way, after gaining half a game on the Seibu Lions yesterday thanks to a 9-3 Fighters win, the Lions gained that half-game right back with a 4-3 win at Sapporo Dome today. That puts the Hawks 7.5 games behind the Lions for 1st place in the Pacific League, and the Hawks are still 1 game ahead of the Fighters for 2nd place.

The Hawks now head home to Fukuoka to play a short 2-game series against the Orix Buffaloes, then a 3-game series will ensue against the Lions for the weekend. With the Buffaloes 1.5 games out of a playoff spot, and needing to gain ground on the Lions, this is an important homestand for the Hawks.