The 2012 NPB draft is held. Only one team, the Nippon Ham Fighters, take the biggest name as Shohei Otani (timed at 99 mph in high school) is widely expected to go to the US, making it a wasted pick if he doesn’t sign; the Fighters will wind up signing Otani, however. On the other hand, four teams put in for Shintaro Fujinami, with the Hanshin Tigers winning the lottery. Three teams take Nao Higashima, with the Softbank Hawks getting his rights.

ByBaseball

The 2012 NPB draft is held. Only one team, the Nippon Ham Fighters, take the biggest name as Shohei Otani (timed at 99 mph in high school) is widely expected to go to the US, making it a wasted pick if he doesn’t sign; the Fighters will wind up signing Otani, however. On the other hand, four teams put in for Shintaro Fujinami, with the Hanshin Tigers winning the lottery. Three teams take Nao Higashima, with the Softbank Hawks getting his rights.

Three Giants pitchers – Madison Bumgarner, Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo – combine on a two-hitter as San Francisco shuts out Detroit, 2 – 0, in Game 2 of the 2012 World Series. The Giants play small ball, scoring their first run on a double play grounder in the 7th after a bunt single by Gregor Blanco loads the bases, and their second in the 8th on three walks and a sacrifice fly.

ByBaseball

Three Giants pitchers – Madison Bumgarner, Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo – combine on a two-hitter as San Francisco shuts out Detroit, 2 – 0, in Game 2 of the 2012 World Series. The Giants play small ball, scoring their first run on a double play grounder in the 7th after a bunt single by Gregor Blanco loads the bases, and their second in the 8th on three walks and a sacrifice fly.