pounce
パシフィックリーグの西武ライオンズが息を吹き返し、お盆明けには首位をつかみました。JTの記事ではそれをpounceという動詞をつかって表現してありました。pounceは、動物や猛禽類が「急に飛びかかる」（"to make a sudden assault or approach"--Webster）という意味で、まさにライオンが獲物めがけて跳躍した様を彷彿させます（ちょっと親父ギャグ的ではありますが）。なお、この動詞が人に向けられたときには「（人の欠点・誤りなどを）責めたてる 」という意味にもなります。（Koyamamoto）
Lions pounce at right time to take control of Pacific League
By JASON COSKREY
All season the Seibu Lions have put the 'cats have nine lives' theory to the test, and so far the Pacific League's resident felines are still kicking.
On June 4, the Lions were 19-27-1 and in last place, 11 games behind the first place Chiba Lotte Marines, with an awful offense and a pitching staff that was somehow even worse.
Today, those same Lions are atop the standings with a shot at completing a run from basement to penthouse in the PL. The Lions have already pulled off one unlikely feat, becoming the fifth team to reach first place after being nine games below .500 at one point during a season, according to Nikkan Sports.
