Yakult Swallows and Yomiuri Giants hang on to tight 2nd and 3rd place in Central League NPB standings

The Hanshin Tigers continue to take the #1 spot in the Central League with 61 Wins and 44 losses.  But the Yomiuri Giants who have hung on to the #2 spot, has now dropped to #3 (52-43), while the Yakult Swallows has now moved to second place (51-40). It’s no doubt going to be a tight race between both clubs.

Meanwhile in the Pacific League, Orix Buffaloes who has been so dominant at #1, has no dropped to #2 (52-43), while the Lotte Chiba Marines move up to the #1 spot at 51-40. It’s no doubt tight race as the Rakuten Eagles are third at 50-47.

The biggest news is the demotion of Nakata Sho to the Yomiuri Giants 2-gun (minor league). Nakata was an infielder for the Nippon Ham Fighters who got into trouble after doing something violent to a colleague before the start of the exhibition match with DeNA at Hokodate Chiyogadai Park Baseball Stadium on August 4th. Nakata was ordered to leave the stadium and go home.

Nakata’s punishment was severe because he was a main player and also the face of the baseball team and must be a model for all players on the team. By August 19th, the Ham Fighters traded Nakata to the Yomiuri Giants.

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