Central 4 | 5 Pacific
----------------+----------------
(HT) Kanemoto 2 | 4 Cabrera (SL)
(HT) Arias 1 | 1 Johjima (FDH)
(CD) Fukudoma 1 | 0 Rhodes (OKB)
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Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
The scoring started with Hanshin's George Arias hitting a solo got against Kintetsu starter Iwakuma to lead off the second inning. Interestingly, Iwakuma, on the mound he calls home, is wearing his visitor's jersey this evening (July 15, 2003) as the Central League is calling Osaka Dome home. With so many Osakans rooting for the seven Hanshin starters, it certainly seems like the Pacific League park belongs to the Central League fans.
Anyway, the Central League's lead didn't last long. Tani (Orix) hit a one out solo home run to left to tie the game in the top of the third. But that was the extent of the Pacific League's offense until Seibu's Matsui hit a two-out solo shot to right in the top of the fifth to put the Pacific League up 2-1.
Rhodes led off the top of the sixth with a single to right. He traded that home run swing he used earlier (striking out) for a clean hit. Cabrera followed with a two run home run to put the Pacific League up 4-1. Looking good.
Then came "Lucky Seven," when the fans shoot off their jetto fusen, and the Central League start a come back. Ironically, it was the Giants who did the work, moving the overwhelming Hanshin fan crowd. Abe hit a one out single to right, then Takahashi brought the Central League to within one run with a two-run home run.
Things quieted down again, and we went into the bottom of the nineth with the score 4-3 in favor of the Pacific League. Furuta grounded out for out number one. Then up came Takahashi for his second at bat of the game. And he lines the ball off the glass behind the lower box seats in right field, game tying home run!
And that's where the game stood, a 4-4 tie. Takahashi, with his two home runs, swiped the MVP award from Cabrera. And with the total lack of any offense by either team, other than home runs, I think he deserved it.
Sorry I'm not able to give a play by play this year. I've been in seminars the past couple of days (getting home late), and have a number of things to do while trying to watch the game here at home. I don't envision being able to do play by play coverage for Game 2, either. Sorry.