Hawks Win The Pacific League Pennant

While the Lions really lost about an hour ago, the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks didn't have to resort to backing into last place as they defeated the Chiba Lotte Marines as Chiba Marine Stadium to take their first championship in three years this evening (September 30, 2003).

I turned the game on in the third inning. Daiei had a 3-0 lead at the time, but not for long. Lotte just kept loading the bases up, and clearing the runners off. When the third inning finally ended, the Marines had turned the game around 3-6.

But two innings later, Minchey ran into the same problem Sugiuchi did, he couldn't get an out. His second baseman and center fielder running into each other to let the ball drop in (I think it was in a glove - but don't know who's) didn't help any. Daiei had given up six runs in the third, but got seven back in the fifth. Daiei took a commanding 10-6 lead.

Daiei continued to keep Lotte in check, and scored a few more run to go into the 9th up 13-6. But Lotte didn't go down easilly. With two outs, they rallied for four runs, coming as close as 13-10. But it wasn't enough as Satoh flew out to straight away center, allowing the Hawks to celebrate with a victory.

Congratulations Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. I do hope your yusho sale lasts until Saturday (when I do my regular grocery shopping at Daiei).