2007 PL Climax Series Stage 2 Game 2
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Re: 2007 PL Climax Series Stage 2 Game 2
[ Author: westbaystars | Posted: Oct 14, 2007 4:59 PM
| YBS Fan
]
I wasn't able to get home before the third inning, but I have logged the game from the bottom of the third on.
People joined the chat room and left without saying anything. I don't tend to give salutations to people knowing that many would rather just see what's going on without participating. That's fine with me. But if you do have a question or comment, please go ahead and and ask/tell. I will reply as best as I can.
Pitching match ups for tomorrow night have been announced. Glynn will be throwing for the Fighters while Watanabe will take the mound for the Marines. I anticipate this to be a very tight game.
Now, the game log for the 2007 Pacific League Climax Series Stage 2 Game 2:
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2007/10/14
CHATROOM 2007 Pacific League Climax Series/Stage 2 Game 2
14:05 westbaystars: I just got back home, an hour into the game.
14:05 westbaystars: We're in the bottom of the third inning, Lotte winning 4-1.
14:07 westbaystars: And right away Morimoto hits one up the right field line.
14:07 westbaystars: The right fielder gets the ball out of the corner, and Hichori is rounding second!
14:07 westbaystars: The throw back is *not* in time! Triple by Morimoto.
14:08 westbaystars: Runner at third, one out.
14:08 westbaystars: That brings up Tanaka.
14:10 westbaystars: After fouling off a 2-2 pitch, Tanaka goes down swinging at a pitch low and over the inside part of the plate.
14:10 westbaystars: Two outs, runner at third, Inaba coming to the plate.
14:11 westbaystars: And the center field camera starts bouncing with the crowd.
14:11 westbaystars: I'm worried about the fans bringing the stadium down with just the right rythem.
14:12 westbaystars: Oh, and it's Hiroyuki Kobayashi on the mound for the Marines.
14:14 westbaystars: After Inaba fouls off a couple full count pitches, he grounds the ball right to the shortstop, playing near the ...
14:14 westbaystars: ... second base bag.
14:14 westbaystars: The throw to first is in time, and the side is retired.
14:14 westbaystars: So the Fighters fail to make anything out of a 1-out triple.
14:14 westbaystars: At the end of three complete, the Marines lead this one 4-1.
14:14 westbaystars: ---
14:15 westbaystars: Top of 4th
14:15 westbaystars: ---
14:16 westbaystars: Hori leads off the fourth inning for the Marines.
14:16 westbaystars: He has one hit this afternoon.
14:17 westbaystars: Oshimoto is pitching for the Fighters.
14:18 westbaystars: Starter Masaru Takedag was replaced after just two innings.
14:19 westbaystars: Actually after 1 and 2/3rd innings.
14:20 westbaystars: Strike out.
14:20 westbaystars: That brings up Imae, who flew out to right his first at bat.
14:21 westbaystars: And he's swinging at the first pitch, lining it through the right side, base hit.
14:21 westbaystars: One out base runner for Lotte.
14:21 westbaystars: That brings us to the top of the order in Tsuyoshi.
14:23 westbaystars: And Tsuyoshi watches strike three go by on the outside corner.
14:23 westbaystars: Two away, runner at first.
14:24 westbaystars: That brings up Hayakawa, 1 for 2 so far this afternoon.
14:29 westbaystars: Hayakawa grounds the ball back to Oshimoto.
14:29 westbaystars: Oshimoto fields the ball and throws to first for the final out of the inning.
14:30 westbaystars: Score remains Marines 4 - 1 Fighters.
14:30 westbaystars: ---
14:30 westbaystars: Bottom of 4th
14:30 westbaystars: ---
14:31 westbaystars: Number four batter Seguignol leads off the bottom of the fourth for the Fighters.
14:32 westbaystars: He struck out his first at bat.
14:32 westbaystars: And goes down swinging again, on a low and away pitch.
14:32 westbaystars: One out.
14:33 westbaystars: That brings up catcher Takahashi.
14:33 westbaystars: Takahashi also struck out his first at bat.
14:33 westbaystars: And is in the hole quickly, 2 strikes, no balls.
14:34 westbaystars: Kobayashi then throws three pitches low and away, taken by Takahashi.
14:34 westbaystars: And the shobu pitch is just a little low, ball four.
14:35 westbaystars: And it looks like Kobayashi hurt his leg on that delivery.
14:35 westbaystars: Kobayashi is limping off the field, his right (back) leg looks tender.
14:36 westbaystars: Bobby went to the bull pen early yesterday as his starter was struggling.
14:36 westbaystars: I think he wanted a bit more out of his starter today.
14:37 westbaystars: Speculation is that Kobayashi is getting taped up and will return.
14:38 westbaystars: There is somebody throwing in the Marines' bull pen now.
14:39 westbaystars: Kobayashi has come out of the trainer's room and is heading toward the mound.
14:39 westbaystars: He's going to throw a couple of pitches to see if he's OK or not.
14:39 westbaystars: He's thrown 63 pitches so far.
14:40 westbaystars: He's thrown one pitch, but doesn't look OK.
14:40 westbaystars: He looks like he's in pain.
14:40 westbaystars: He wants to continue, but it doesn't look like his body will let him.
14:41 westbaystars: Takagi has been annouced as the new pitcher.
14:41 westbaystars: But it's taking a long time for him to appear.
14:43 westbaystars: Takagi threw 2/3rds of an inning yesterday, throwing to 4 batters.
14:45 westbaystars: Takagi will be facing pinch hitter Kawashima with a runner at first and one out.
14:45 westbaystars: Takagi's first pitch is in at Kawashima's feet, just over their tops.
14:46 westbaystars: A quick reaction by Satozaki keeps the ball from going to the backstop.
14:46 westbaystars: The next pitch is lifted to right field where Saburo takes a couple steps in and makes the catch.
14:47 westbaystars: Koyano follows.
14:47 westbaystars: And he also lifts the ball to right field.
14:47 westbaystars: Saburo takes a few steps back this time, and the side is retired.
14:48 westbaystars: While the Fighters fail to score, Kobayashi is taken out with what may be a pulled hamstring.
14:48 westbaystars: Top of 5th
14:48 westbaystars: ---
14:49 westbaystars: DH Takahara leads off the fifth for the Marines.
14:50 westbaystars: No, it's Watson pinch hitting.
14:51 westbaystars: Watson lifts the ball to left field.
14:51 westbaystars: Left fielder Kudoh takes two steps back, then one forward, to make the catch.
14:51 westbaystars: One down.
14:54 westbaystars: Saburo goes deep to left.
14:55 westbaystars: The left fielder looks up. Haittaaaaaaaaaaa!
14:55 westbaystars: It's so quiet, it was hard to tell if the ball was going out or not.
14:56 westbaystars: Oshimoto is done after 11 batters, 53 pitches.
14:56 westbaystars: And Lotte leads this one by a score of 5-1.
14:57 westbaystars: Hagiwara is called in to pitch.
14:58 westbaystars: He'll be facing Satozaki and Ortiz coming up next.
14:59 westbaystars: Satozaki hit a gyakuten 2-run homer his first at bat in the second.
14:59 westbaystars: Then he struck out in the third.
15:01 westbaystars: Satozaki grounds the ball up the middle, just left of the second base bag.
15:01 westbaystars: But Kaneko has him shaded toward second.
15:01 westbaystars: Kaneko bobbles the ball, grabs it, and throws Satozaki out.
15:02 westbaystars: Ortiz, who followed Satozaki's home run in the second with a homer, comes up next.
15:03 westbaystars: Hagiwara trying to strike Ortiz out on three pitches, but Ortiz hits the third pitch foul and out of play to the ...
15:03 westbaystars: ... right side.
15:03 westbaystars: The fourth offering, swung on and missed! Strike three.
15:03 westbaystars: That retires the side for the Marines here in the fifth.
15:03 westbaystars: But not before they ad another run, this one a solo home run by Saburo.
15:04 westbaystars: After 4 1/2 innings, Lotte extends their lead to 5-1.
15:04 westbaystars: ---
15:04 westbaystars: Bottom of 5th
15:04 westbaystars: ---
15:07 westbaystars: After failing to hit a safty bunt, Inada hits a half liner to short for out number one.
15:07 westbaystars: Kaneko follows grounding out to third.
15:07 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
15:07 westbaystars: And that brings us back to the top of the order in Morimoto.
15:08 westbaystars: Hichori hit a triple his last at bat.
15:09 westbaystars: Hichori hits a line drive to Ortiz at first base.
15:09 westbaystars: But the ball hits off the base of Ortiz's glove, and hits him in the face, then roles into foul territory.
15:09 westbaystars: Ortiz recovers, grabs the ball, but the pitcher isn't there!
15:10 westbaystars: He dashes for first and *just* gets there ahead of Morimoto.
15:10 westbaystars: Three up, three down for the Fighters in the fifth.
15:10 westbaystars: After 5 complete, the score is Marines 5 - 1 Fighters.
15:10 westbaystars: ---
15:10 westbaystars: Top of 6th
15:10 westbaystars: ---
15:11 westbaystars: Time for the ever popular YMCA song as the field crew comes out.
15:15 westbaystars: Ohmatsu comes in to pinch hit for Benny, leading off the 6th inning.
15:17 westbaystars: Ohmatsu works the count full, then grounds the ball through the right side for a lead off base hit.
15:17 westbaystars: That brings up another pinch hitter, Fukuura.
15:18 westbaystars: Fukuura went yon-tako (0 for 4) yesterday.
15:20 westbaystars: Another full count for Hajikihara.
15:21 westbaystars: But Fukuura grounds the ball just left of the second base bag, right to where Kaneko is playing.
15:21 westbaystars: Kakeko tosses to Tanaka for one, the relay to Ortiz at first is in time.
15:21 westbaystars: Double play.
15:21 westbaystars: That brings up Imae.
15:21 westbaystars: Imae is 1 for 2 so far this game.
15:22 westbaystars: He was 0 for 3 yesterday.
15:22 westbaystars: He goes the other way deep to right.
15:22 westbaystars: The right fielder looks up!
15:23 westbaystars: It's off the top of the wall, a little less than a meter fair!
15:23 westbaystars: The cushion ball is played well by Inaba. The throw to second is just too late.
15:23 westbaystars: Imae has a 2-out double.
15:24 westbaystars: And that brings us to the top of the order with Tsuyoshi.
15:25 westbaystars: But Tsuyoshi grounds out to Tanaka at second to end the threat.
15:26 westbaystars: At the end of 5 and a half, the Marines continue to lead 5-1.
15:26 westbaystars: ---
15:26 westbaystars: Bottom of 6th
15:26 westbaystars: ---
15:28 westbaystars: Kawasaki comes in to pitch for the Chiba Lotte Marines.
15:28 westbaystars: He's the third pitcher of record for the Marines this game.
15:29 westbaystars: He'll face Tanaka, Inaba, and Seguignol here in the bottom of the sixth.
15:30 westbaystars: Tanaka grounds out to Tsuyoshi at short for out number one.
15:31 westbaystars: With two strikes on Inaba, Kawasaki hits him.
15:31 westbaystars: One out base runner for Seguignol
15:35 westbaystars: And this time it's catcher's interference.
15:36 westbaystars: Seguignol fouls a pitch off after going through Satozaki's mit.
15:36 westbaystars: Runners now at first and second with just one out.
15:37 westbaystars: And Kawasaki hits Takahashi!
15:37 westbaystars: Bases loaded without a hit.
15:37 westbaystars: Valentine-kantoku doesn't look happy.
15:38 westbaystars: He sends Inoue-pitching coach out there to tell Kawasaki to settle down.
15:38 westbaystars: And Yukio Tanaka is announced as the pinch hitter.
15:38 westbaystars: The crowd goes wild.
15:39 westbaystars: The veteran Fighter is much loved by the home fan base.
15:40 westbaystars: But Yukio goes down swinging on 5 pitches.
15:40 westbaystars: Two down, bases still loaded.
15:41 westbaystars: That brings up Koyano.
15:41 westbaystars: Koyano swings and the first pitch and grounds it just left of second base.
15:42 westbaystars: Tsuyoshi fields the ball and takes it to the second base bag by himself.
15:42 westbaystars: The Marines get out of the pinch.
15:42 westbaystars: The Fighters had bases loaded and one out, but come up empty in the sixth.
15:43 westbaystars: After six complete, the score remains Marines 5 - 1 Fighters.
15:43 westbaystars: ---
15:43 westbaystars: Top of 7th
15:43 westbaystars: ---
15:43 westbaystars: Rookie Yamamoto comes in to pitch for the Fighters.
15:44 westbaystars: And Kohta comes into the game in the outfield.
15:45 westbaystars: Hayakawa leads off the seventh for the Marines.
15:45 westbaystars: Yamamoto's first pitch is waaaay high for ball one.
15:46 westbaystars: And he nibbles on the inside corner for a pair of strikes.
15:47 westbaystars: After takinging ball two, Hayakawa fails to hold up on a high pitch for strike three.
15:47 westbaystars: One away.
15:47 westbaystars: That brings up Takehara.
15:48 westbaystars: Takehara lifts the ball up to shallow center field.
15:49 westbaystars: Morimoto runs in, camps under the ball, and waits for it to come down for out number two.
15:49 westbaystars: That'll bring up Saburo, who hit a solo home run his last at bat.
15:49 westbaystars: The home run putting the Marines up 5-1, the current score.
15:50 westbaystars: But Saburo goes down swinging on four pitches for out number three.
15:50 westbaystars: Three up, three down of the Marines in the 7th.
15:51 westbaystars: Going to the Fighters' "Lucky 7," Nippon Ham faces a 4 run deficit.
15:51 westbaystars: ---
15:51 westbaystars: Bottom of 7th
15:51 westbaystars: ---
15:53 westbaystars: Inada leads off the 7th against Kawasaki.
15:54 westbaystars: And Inada lines the ball over the left side into left field for the Fighters' 4th hit of the afternoon.
15:54 westbaystars: That brings up Kaneko.
15:56 westbaystars: Kaneko lifts the ball to the right side.
15:56 westbaystars: Second baseman Ortiz camps under the ball in shallow right field.
15:56 westbaystars: And makes the catch for out number one.
15:56 westbaystars: Ortiz started the game at first base. But Fukuura, who came in as a pinch hitter, stay in the game at first.
15:57 westbaystars: Second baseman Hori, whom Fukuura pinch hit for, is out.
15:57 westbaystars: Morimoto grounds the ball to Ortiz at second.
15:58 westbaystars: He goes to Tsuyoshi for one, and the relay is *just* in time.
15:58 westbaystars: Double play.
15:58 westbaystars: So the Fighters get their lead off man aboard, but go down in three.
15:58 westbaystars: After seven complete, the Marines continue to lead 5-1.
15:58 westbaystars: ---
15:58 westbaystars: Top of 8th
15:59 westbaystars: ---
16:00 westbaystars: Yamamoto remains on the mound for the Fighters.
16:00 westbaystars: He'll face Satozaki, Ortiz, and Ohmatsu.
16:00 westbaystars: And Satozaki sends Yamamoto's first offering of the 8th to the left field seats!
16:00 westbaystars: His second home run of the game.
16:01 westbaystars: That puts the Marines up 6-1.
16:01 westbaystars: Ortiz followed Satozaki's first home run with one of his own.
16:01 westbaystars: Let's see how he does this time.
16:03 westbaystars: 42,222 - Sapporo Dome's maximum occupancy, announced for the second day in a row.
16:03 westbaystars: Ortiz goes down swinging. One away.
16:04 westbaystars: Pinch hitter Ohtsuka comes up to bat.
16:04 westbaystars: Valentine-kantoku went to the bull pen early and often yesterday.
16:04 westbaystars: Today he's gone to the bench early and often.
16:05 westbaystars: This is the 4th pinch hitter for the Marines so far this game.
16:05 westbaystars: Sorry, 5th pinch hitter.
16:06 westbaystars: But Ohtsuka goes down swinging. Two away.
16:06 westbaystars: That brings up Fukuura who came in as a pinch hitter in the 6th.
16:07 westbaystars: (And promptly hit into a double play.)
16:07 westbaystars: This time Fukuura hits a line drive single to left field to keep the Marines going here in the 8th.
16:07 westbaystars: That brings up Imae.
16:08 westbaystars: Imae is 2 for 3 this afternoon with a single and a double.
16:10 westbaystars: 4 of the Marines' 10 hits so far have been home runs.
16:10 westbaystars: Satozaki having hit two of them.
16:11 westbaystars: Imae grounds the ball to Koyano at third.
16:11 westbaystars: Koyano throws to second for the force, and the side is retired.
16:11 westbaystars: But not before Satozaki hits another home run to put the Marines up 6-1.
16:11 westbaystars: ---
16:11 westbaystars: Bottom of 8th
16:11 westbaystars: ---
16:13 westbaystars: The Fighters send numbers 2, 3, and 4 batters to face Yabuta in the eighth.
16:13 westbaystars: Tanaka, Inaba, Seguignol.
16:15 westbaystars: Yabuta's first pitch to Tanaka misses low for ball one.
16:16 westbaystars: Two pitches later, Tanaka lines out directly to Hayakawa in center.
16:17 westbaystars: grounds the ball up the middle.
16:17 westbaystars: But Tsuyoshi fields the ball behind the second base bag and throws Inaba out.
16:17 westbaystars: Two away.
16:17 westbaystars: That brings up Seguignol with nobody on and two down.
16:18 westbaystars: Seguignol is hitless so far in the series, with a pair of strike outs today.
16:18 westbaystars: He grounds the ball to Ortiz at second.
16:18 westbaystars: It's a routine play, and the side is retired in order.
16:19 westbaystars: After 8 complete, the Fighters continue to tail this one by a score of 1-6.
16:19 westbaystars: ---
16:19 westbaystars: Top of 9th
16:19 westbaystars: ---
16:20 westbaystars: Kanemori takes the mound for the Fighters in the 9th.
16:20 westbaystars: Kanemori was 4 and 1 during the regular season.
16:22 westbaystars: Tsuyoshi leads things off of the Marines.
16:22 westbaystars: Hitless so far today, but batting .500 for the Climax Series so far.
16:24 westbaystars: It looks like Tsuyoshi isn't destined for a hit today as he grounds out to second for out number one.
16:24 westbaystars: That brings up Hayakawa.
16:26 westbaystars: Hayakawa hits the ball deep to right field.
16:26 westbaystars: Not doube about it, haittaaaaaaaaa!.
16:26 westbaystars: Into the rather small second of black, right into the middle of the Lotte oen-dan.
16:27 westbaystars: That's Lotte's fifth home run of the game.
16:27 westbaystars: As they take a 7-1 lead.
16:27 westbaystars: Left handed pinch hitter Hashimoto comes up.
16:28 westbaystars: That's 5 home runs out of Lotte's 11 hits.
16:29 westbaystars: Hashimoto draws a base on balls in 5 pitches.
16:29 westbaystars: That puts a runner at first with one out and Saburo coming to the plate.
16:29 westbaystars: Saburo hit a solo home run earlier.
16:31 westbaystars: And Saburo lines a one bounder base hit to right.
16:31 westbaystars: The Marines are on the move.
16:31 westbaystars: Runners at first and second, one out.
16:31 westbaystars: Now it's Satozaki's turn.
16:31 westbaystars: Satozaki who has hit two home runs this afternoon.
16:33 westbaystars: A dangerous third pitch. The catcher set up outside and Kanemori threw it down the middle.
16:33 westbaystars: But Satozaki didn't swing at it.
16:33 westbaystars: The next offering is a dribbler to the left side.
16:33 westbaystars: Kanemori fields the ball, but doesn't have a play anywhere!
16:33 westbaystars: Bases are loaded!
16:33 westbaystars: And Ortiz coming to the plate.
16:34 westbaystars: Ortiz followed Satozaki's home run with one earlier.
16:34 westbaystars: And he give the first pitch a ride here!
16:34 westbaystars: But not that deep.
16:34 westbaystars: Left fielder Kohda fields the ball in front of the warning track.
16:35 westbaystars: The runner at third touches up and comes across.
16:35 westbaystars: Marines up 8-1.
16:36 westbaystars: Ohtsuka follows by fouling out to Koyana to end the inning.
16:36 westbaystars: But not before the Marines take a commanding 8-1 lead.
16:36 westbaystars: ---
16:36 westbaystars: Bottom of 9th
16:36 westbaystars: ---
16:37 westbaystars: Uh, oh. I didn't give Valentine-kantoku a warning that I was going to be watching today.
16:37 westbaystars: Masahide Kobayashi is coming in to close.
16:37 westbaystars: And he always does poorly when I watch.
16:38 westbaystars: He finished the year in third for saves (as I didn't see him that often).
16:38 westbaystars: Takahashi leads off for the Fighters.
16:39 westbaystars: He's struck out, walked, and been hit by a pitch so far this afternoon.
16:39 westbaystars: Takahashi grounds the first pitch to the left side.
16:39 westbaystars: Imae does a great job to get to the ball. Spins. And fires to first for the out.
16:40 westbaystars: Konta (who I'd been writing as Kohta) grounds the ball up the middle.
16:40 westbaystars: But within range of Tsuyoshi who grabs the ball just left of second and fires to first for out number two.
16:40 westbaystars: Two pitches, two out.
16:40 westbaystars: That brings up Koyano.
16:40 westbaystars: Who takes ball one low and away.
16:41 westbaystars: Koyano swings at the second offering bouncing behind the plate.
16:41 westbaystars: The third offering is swung on and missed, strike two.
16:41 westbaystars: Kobayashi set.
16:41 westbaystars: The pitch.
16:41 westbaystars: Taken in the dirt for ball two. 2 and 2, 2 down.
16:42 westbaystars: The fifth offering is lifted to right field.
16:42 westbaystars: The Right fielder camps under the ball.
16:42 westbaystars: And makes the catch for out number three.
16:42 westbaystars: The Chiba Lotte Marines take Game 2 of Stage 2 by a score of 8-1.
16:43 westbaystars: That evens up the Series at 1 and 1.
16:43 westbaystars: In summary:
16:43 westbaystars: ====
16:43 westbaystars: Game Final
16:43 westbaystars: Chiba Lotte Marines 8 - 1 Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
16:43 westbaystars: ****
16:44 westbaystars: Games
16:44 westbaystars: Lotte 1 - 1 Nippon Ham
16:44 westbaystars: ====
16:44 westbaystars: Satozaki is named hero of the game, going 3 for 5 with a pair of home runs.
16:45 westbaystars: The important one being the gyakuten 2-run homer in the second.
People joined the chat room and left without saying anything. I don't tend to give salutations to people knowing that many would rather just see what's going on without participating. That's fine with me. But if you do have a question or comment, please go ahead and and ask/tell. I will reply as best as I can.
Pitching match ups for tomorrow night have been announced. Glynn will be throwing for the Fighters while Watanabe will take the mound for the Marines. I anticipate this to be a very tight game.
Now, the game log for the 2007 Pacific League Climax Series Stage 2 Game 2:
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2007/10/14
CHATROOM 2007 Pacific League Climax Series/Stage 2 Game 2
14:05 westbaystars: I just got back home, an hour into the game.
14:05 westbaystars: We're in the bottom of the third inning, Lotte winning 4-1.
14:07 westbaystars: And right away Morimoto hits one up the right field line.
14:07 westbaystars: The right fielder gets the ball out of the corner, and Hichori is rounding second!
14:07 westbaystars: The throw back is *not* in time! Triple by Morimoto.
14:08 westbaystars: Runner at third, one out.
14:08 westbaystars: That brings up Tanaka.
14:10 westbaystars: After fouling off a 2-2 pitch, Tanaka goes down swinging at a pitch low and over the inside part of the plate.
14:10 westbaystars: Two outs, runner at third, Inaba coming to the plate.
14:11 westbaystars: And the center field camera starts bouncing with the crowd.
14:11 westbaystars: I'm worried about the fans bringing the stadium down with just the right rythem.
14:12 westbaystars: Oh, and it's Hiroyuki Kobayashi on the mound for the Marines.
14:14 westbaystars: After Inaba fouls off a couple full count pitches, he grounds the ball right to the shortstop, playing near the ...
14:14 westbaystars: ... second base bag.
14:14 westbaystars: The throw to first is in time, and the side is retired.
14:14 westbaystars: So the Fighters fail to make anything out of a 1-out triple.
14:14 westbaystars: At the end of three complete, the Marines lead this one 4-1.
14:14 westbaystars: ---
14:15 westbaystars: Top of 4th
14:15 westbaystars: ---
14:16 westbaystars: Hori leads off the fourth inning for the Marines.
14:16 westbaystars: He has one hit this afternoon.
14:17 westbaystars: Oshimoto is pitching for the Fighters.
14:18 westbaystars: Starter Masaru Takedag was replaced after just two innings.
14:19 westbaystars: Actually after 1 and 2/3rd innings.
14:20 westbaystars: Strike out.
14:20 westbaystars: That brings up Imae, who flew out to right his first at bat.
14:21 westbaystars: And he's swinging at the first pitch, lining it through the right side, base hit.
14:21 westbaystars: One out base runner for Lotte.
14:21 westbaystars: That brings us to the top of the order in Tsuyoshi.
14:23 westbaystars: And Tsuyoshi watches strike three go by on the outside corner.
14:23 westbaystars: Two away, runner at first.
14:24 westbaystars: That brings up Hayakawa, 1 for 2 so far this afternoon.
14:29 westbaystars: Hayakawa grounds the ball back to Oshimoto.
14:29 westbaystars: Oshimoto fields the ball and throws to first for the final out of the inning.
14:30 westbaystars: Score remains Marines 4 - 1 Fighters.
14:30 westbaystars: ---
14:30 westbaystars: Bottom of 4th
14:30 westbaystars: ---
14:31 westbaystars: Number four batter Seguignol leads off the bottom of the fourth for the Fighters.
14:32 westbaystars: He struck out his first at bat.
14:32 westbaystars: And goes down swinging again, on a low and away pitch.
14:32 westbaystars: One out.
14:33 westbaystars: That brings up catcher Takahashi.
14:33 westbaystars: Takahashi also struck out his first at bat.
14:33 westbaystars: And is in the hole quickly, 2 strikes, no balls.
14:34 westbaystars: Kobayashi then throws three pitches low and away, taken by Takahashi.
14:34 westbaystars: And the shobu pitch is just a little low, ball four.
14:35 westbaystars: And it looks like Kobayashi hurt his leg on that delivery.
14:35 westbaystars: Kobayashi is limping off the field, his right (back) leg looks tender.
14:36 westbaystars: Bobby went to the bull pen early yesterday as his starter was struggling.
14:36 westbaystars: I think he wanted a bit more out of his starter today.
14:37 westbaystars: Speculation is that Kobayashi is getting taped up and will return.
14:38 westbaystars: There is somebody throwing in the Marines' bull pen now.
14:39 westbaystars: Kobayashi has come out of the trainer's room and is heading toward the mound.
14:39 westbaystars: He's going to throw a couple of pitches to see if he's OK or not.
14:39 westbaystars: He's thrown 63 pitches so far.
14:40 westbaystars: He's thrown one pitch, but doesn't look OK.
14:40 westbaystars: He looks like he's in pain.
14:40 westbaystars: He wants to continue, but it doesn't look like his body will let him.
14:41 westbaystars: Takagi has been annouced as the new pitcher.
14:41 westbaystars: But it's taking a long time for him to appear.
14:43 westbaystars: Takagi threw 2/3rds of an inning yesterday, throwing to 4 batters.
14:45 westbaystars: Takagi will be facing pinch hitter Kawashima with a runner at first and one out.
14:45 westbaystars: Takagi's first pitch is in at Kawashima's feet, just over their tops.
14:46 westbaystars: A quick reaction by Satozaki keeps the ball from going to the backstop.
14:46 westbaystars: The next pitch is lifted to right field where Saburo takes a couple steps in and makes the catch.
14:47 westbaystars: Koyano follows.
14:47 westbaystars: And he also lifts the ball to right field.
14:47 westbaystars: Saburo takes a few steps back this time, and the side is retired.
14:48 westbaystars: While the Fighters fail to score, Kobayashi is taken out with what may be a pulled hamstring.
14:48 westbaystars: Top of 5th
14:48 westbaystars: ---
14:49 westbaystars: DH Takahara leads off the fifth for the Marines.
14:50 westbaystars: No, it's Watson pinch hitting.
14:51 westbaystars: Watson lifts the ball to left field.
14:51 westbaystars: Left fielder Kudoh takes two steps back, then one forward, to make the catch.
14:51 westbaystars: One down.
14:54 westbaystars: Saburo goes deep to left.
14:55 westbaystars: The left fielder looks up. Haittaaaaaaaaaaa!
14:55 westbaystars: It's so quiet, it was hard to tell if the ball was going out or not.
14:56 westbaystars: Oshimoto is done after 11 batters, 53 pitches.
14:56 westbaystars: And Lotte leads this one by a score of 5-1.
14:57 westbaystars: Hagiwara is called in to pitch.
14:58 westbaystars: He'll be facing Satozaki and Ortiz coming up next.
14:59 westbaystars: Satozaki hit a gyakuten 2-run homer his first at bat in the second.
14:59 westbaystars: Then he struck out in the third.
15:01 westbaystars: Satozaki grounds the ball up the middle, just left of the second base bag.
15:01 westbaystars: But Kaneko has him shaded toward second.
15:01 westbaystars: Kaneko bobbles the ball, grabs it, and throws Satozaki out.
15:02 westbaystars: Ortiz, who followed Satozaki's home run in the second with a homer, comes up next.
15:03 westbaystars: Hagiwara trying to strike Ortiz out on three pitches, but Ortiz hits the third pitch foul and out of play to the ...
15:03 westbaystars: ... right side.
15:03 westbaystars: The fourth offering, swung on and missed! Strike three.
15:03 westbaystars: That retires the side for the Marines here in the fifth.
15:03 westbaystars: But not before they ad another run, this one a solo home run by Saburo.
15:04 westbaystars: After 4 1/2 innings, Lotte extends their lead to 5-1.
15:04 westbaystars: ---
15:04 westbaystars: Bottom of 5th
15:04 westbaystars: ---
15:07 westbaystars: After failing to hit a safty bunt, Inada hits a half liner to short for out number one.
15:07 westbaystars: Kaneko follows grounding out to third.
15:07 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
15:07 westbaystars: And that brings us back to the top of the order in Morimoto.
15:08 westbaystars: Hichori hit a triple his last at bat.
15:09 westbaystars: Hichori hits a line drive to Ortiz at first base.
15:09 westbaystars: But the ball hits off the base of Ortiz's glove, and hits him in the face, then roles into foul territory.
15:09 westbaystars: Ortiz recovers, grabs the ball, but the pitcher isn't there!
15:10 westbaystars: He dashes for first and *just* gets there ahead of Morimoto.
15:10 westbaystars: Three up, three down for the Fighters in the fifth.
15:10 westbaystars: After 5 complete, the score is Marines 5 - 1 Fighters.
15:10 westbaystars: ---
15:10 westbaystars: Top of 6th
15:10 westbaystars: ---
15:11 westbaystars: Time for the ever popular YMCA song as the field crew comes out.
15:15 westbaystars: Ohmatsu comes in to pinch hit for Benny, leading off the 6th inning.
15:17 westbaystars: Ohmatsu works the count full, then grounds the ball through the right side for a lead off base hit.
15:17 westbaystars: That brings up another pinch hitter, Fukuura.
15:18 westbaystars: Fukuura went yon-tako (0 for 4) yesterday.
15:20 westbaystars: Another full count for Hajikihara.
15:21 westbaystars: But Fukuura grounds the ball just left of the second base bag, right to where Kaneko is playing.
15:21 westbaystars: Kakeko tosses to Tanaka for one, the relay to Ortiz at first is in time.
15:21 westbaystars: Double play.
15:21 westbaystars: That brings up Imae.
15:21 westbaystars: Imae is 1 for 2 so far this game.
15:22 westbaystars: He was 0 for 3 yesterday.
15:22 westbaystars: He goes the other way deep to right.
15:22 westbaystars: The right fielder looks up!
15:23 westbaystars: It's off the top of the wall, a little less than a meter fair!
15:23 westbaystars: The cushion ball is played well by Inaba. The throw to second is just too late.
15:23 westbaystars: Imae has a 2-out double.
15:24 westbaystars: And that brings us to the top of the order with Tsuyoshi.
15:25 westbaystars: But Tsuyoshi grounds out to Tanaka at second to end the threat.
15:26 westbaystars: At the end of 5 and a half, the Marines continue to lead 5-1.
15:26 westbaystars: ---
15:26 westbaystars: Bottom of 6th
15:26 westbaystars: ---
15:28 westbaystars: Kawasaki comes in to pitch for the Chiba Lotte Marines.
15:28 westbaystars: He's the third pitcher of record for the Marines this game.
15:29 westbaystars: He'll face Tanaka, Inaba, and Seguignol here in the bottom of the sixth.
15:30 westbaystars: Tanaka grounds out to Tsuyoshi at short for out number one.
15:31 westbaystars: With two strikes on Inaba, Kawasaki hits him.
15:31 westbaystars: One out base runner for Seguignol
15:35 westbaystars: And this time it's catcher's interference.
15:36 westbaystars: Seguignol fouls a pitch off after going through Satozaki's mit.
15:36 westbaystars: Runners now at first and second with just one out.
15:37 westbaystars: And Kawasaki hits Takahashi!
15:37 westbaystars: Bases loaded without a hit.
15:37 westbaystars: Valentine-kantoku doesn't look happy.
15:38 westbaystars: He sends Inoue-pitching coach out there to tell Kawasaki to settle down.
15:38 westbaystars: And Yukio Tanaka is announced as the pinch hitter.
15:38 westbaystars: The crowd goes wild.
15:39 westbaystars: The veteran Fighter is much loved by the home fan base.
15:40 westbaystars: But Yukio goes down swinging on 5 pitches.
15:40 westbaystars: Two down, bases still loaded.
15:41 westbaystars: That brings up Koyano.
15:41 westbaystars: Koyano swings and the first pitch and grounds it just left of second base.
15:42 westbaystars: Tsuyoshi fields the ball and takes it to the second base bag by himself.
15:42 westbaystars: The Marines get out of the pinch.
15:42 westbaystars: The Fighters had bases loaded and one out, but come up empty in the sixth.
15:43 westbaystars: After six complete, the score remains Marines 5 - 1 Fighters.
15:43 westbaystars: ---
15:43 westbaystars: Top of 7th
15:43 westbaystars: ---
15:43 westbaystars: Rookie Yamamoto comes in to pitch for the Fighters.
15:44 westbaystars: And Kohta comes into the game in the outfield.
15:45 westbaystars: Hayakawa leads off the seventh for the Marines.
15:45 westbaystars: Yamamoto's first pitch is waaaay high for ball one.
15:46 westbaystars: And he nibbles on the inside corner for a pair of strikes.
15:47 westbaystars: After takinging ball two, Hayakawa fails to hold up on a high pitch for strike three.
15:47 westbaystars: One away.
15:47 westbaystars: That brings up Takehara.
15:48 westbaystars: Takehara lifts the ball up to shallow center field.
15:49 westbaystars: Morimoto runs in, camps under the ball, and waits for it to come down for out number two.
15:49 westbaystars: That'll bring up Saburo, who hit a solo home run his last at bat.
15:49 westbaystars: The home run putting the Marines up 5-1, the current score.
15:50 westbaystars: But Saburo goes down swinging on four pitches for out number three.
15:50 westbaystars: Three up, three down of the Marines in the 7th.
15:51 westbaystars: Going to the Fighters' "Lucky 7," Nippon Ham faces a 4 run deficit.
15:51 westbaystars: ---
15:51 westbaystars: Bottom of 7th
15:51 westbaystars: ---
15:53 westbaystars: Inada leads off the 7th against Kawasaki.
15:54 westbaystars: And Inada lines the ball over the left side into left field for the Fighters' 4th hit of the afternoon.
15:54 westbaystars: That brings up Kaneko.
15:56 westbaystars: Kaneko lifts the ball to the right side.
15:56 westbaystars: Second baseman Ortiz camps under the ball in shallow right field.
15:56 westbaystars: And makes the catch for out number one.
15:56 westbaystars: Ortiz started the game at first base. But Fukuura, who came in as a pinch hitter, stay in the game at first.
15:57 westbaystars: Second baseman Hori, whom Fukuura pinch hit for, is out.
15:57 westbaystars: Morimoto grounds the ball to Ortiz at second.
15:58 westbaystars: He goes to Tsuyoshi for one, and the relay is *just* in time.
15:58 westbaystars: Double play.
15:58 westbaystars: So the Fighters get their lead off man aboard, but go down in three.
15:58 westbaystars: After seven complete, the Marines continue to lead 5-1.
15:58 westbaystars: ---
15:58 westbaystars: Top of 8th
15:59 westbaystars: ---
16:00 westbaystars: Yamamoto remains on the mound for the Fighters.
16:00 westbaystars: He'll face Satozaki, Ortiz, and Ohmatsu.
16:00 westbaystars: And Satozaki sends Yamamoto's first offering of the 8th to the left field seats!
16:00 westbaystars: His second home run of the game.
16:01 westbaystars: That puts the Marines up 6-1.
16:01 westbaystars: Ortiz followed Satozaki's first home run with one of his own.
16:01 westbaystars: Let's see how he does this time.
16:03 westbaystars: 42,222 - Sapporo Dome's maximum occupancy, announced for the second day in a row.
16:03 westbaystars: Ortiz goes down swinging. One away.
16:04 westbaystars: Pinch hitter Ohtsuka comes up to bat.
16:04 westbaystars: Valentine-kantoku went to the bull pen early and often yesterday.
16:04 westbaystars: Today he's gone to the bench early and often.
16:05 westbaystars: This is the 4th pinch hitter for the Marines so far this game.
16:05 westbaystars: Sorry, 5th pinch hitter.
16:06 westbaystars: But Ohtsuka goes down swinging. Two away.
16:06 westbaystars: That brings up Fukuura who came in as a pinch hitter in the 6th.
16:07 westbaystars: (And promptly hit into a double play.)
16:07 westbaystars: This time Fukuura hits a line drive single to left field to keep the Marines going here in the 8th.
16:07 westbaystars: That brings up Imae.
16:08 westbaystars: Imae is 2 for 3 this afternoon with a single and a double.
16:10 westbaystars: 4 of the Marines' 10 hits so far have been home runs.
16:10 westbaystars: Satozaki having hit two of them.
16:11 westbaystars: Imae grounds the ball to Koyano at third.
16:11 westbaystars: Koyano throws to second for the force, and the side is retired.
16:11 westbaystars: But not before Satozaki hits another home run to put the Marines up 6-1.
16:11 westbaystars: ---
16:11 westbaystars: Bottom of 8th
16:11 westbaystars: ---
16:13 westbaystars: The Fighters send numbers 2, 3, and 4 batters to face Yabuta in the eighth.
16:13 westbaystars: Tanaka, Inaba, Seguignol.
16:15 westbaystars: Yabuta's first pitch to Tanaka misses low for ball one.
16:16 westbaystars: Two pitches later, Tanaka lines out directly to Hayakawa in center.
16:17 westbaystars: grounds the ball up the middle.
16:17 westbaystars: But Tsuyoshi fields the ball behind the second base bag and throws Inaba out.
16:17 westbaystars: Two away.
16:17 westbaystars: That brings up Seguignol with nobody on and two down.
16:18 westbaystars: Seguignol is hitless so far in the series, with a pair of strike outs today.
16:18 westbaystars: He grounds the ball to Ortiz at second.
16:18 westbaystars: It's a routine play, and the side is retired in order.
16:19 westbaystars: After 8 complete, the Fighters continue to tail this one by a score of 1-6.
16:19 westbaystars: ---
16:19 westbaystars: Top of 9th
16:19 westbaystars: ---
16:20 westbaystars: Kanemori takes the mound for the Fighters in the 9th.
16:20 westbaystars: Kanemori was 4 and 1 during the regular season.
16:22 westbaystars: Tsuyoshi leads things off of the Marines.
16:22 westbaystars: Hitless so far today, but batting .500 for the Climax Series so far.
16:24 westbaystars: It looks like Tsuyoshi isn't destined for a hit today as he grounds out to second for out number one.
16:24 westbaystars: That brings up Hayakawa.
16:26 westbaystars: Hayakawa hits the ball deep to right field.
16:26 westbaystars: Not doube about it, haittaaaaaaaaa!.
16:26 westbaystars: Into the rather small second of black, right into the middle of the Lotte oen-dan.
16:27 westbaystars: That's Lotte's fifth home run of the game.
16:27 westbaystars: As they take a 7-1 lead.
16:27 westbaystars: Left handed pinch hitter Hashimoto comes up.
16:28 westbaystars: That's 5 home runs out of Lotte's 11 hits.
16:29 westbaystars: Hashimoto draws a base on balls in 5 pitches.
16:29 westbaystars: That puts a runner at first with one out and Saburo coming to the plate.
16:29 westbaystars: Saburo hit a solo home run earlier.
16:31 westbaystars: And Saburo lines a one bounder base hit to right.
16:31 westbaystars: The Marines are on the move.
16:31 westbaystars: Runners at first and second, one out.
16:31 westbaystars: Now it's Satozaki's turn.
16:31 westbaystars: Satozaki who has hit two home runs this afternoon.
16:33 westbaystars: A dangerous third pitch. The catcher set up outside and Kanemori threw it down the middle.
16:33 westbaystars: But Satozaki didn't swing at it.
16:33 westbaystars: The next offering is a dribbler to the left side.
16:33 westbaystars: Kanemori fields the ball, but doesn't have a play anywhere!
16:33 westbaystars: Bases are loaded!
16:33 westbaystars: And Ortiz coming to the plate.
16:34 westbaystars: Ortiz followed Satozaki's home run with one earlier.
16:34 westbaystars: And he give the first pitch a ride here!
16:34 westbaystars: But not that deep.
16:34 westbaystars: Left fielder Kohda fields the ball in front of the warning track.
16:35 westbaystars: The runner at third touches up and comes across.
16:35 westbaystars: Marines up 8-1.
16:36 westbaystars: Ohtsuka follows by fouling out to Koyana to end the inning.
16:36 westbaystars: But not before the Marines take a commanding 8-1 lead.
16:36 westbaystars: ---
16:36 westbaystars: Bottom of 9th
16:36 westbaystars: ---
16:37 westbaystars: Uh, oh. I didn't give Valentine-kantoku a warning that I was going to be watching today.
16:37 westbaystars: Masahide Kobayashi is coming in to close.
16:37 westbaystars: And he always does poorly when I watch.
16:38 westbaystars: He finished the year in third for saves (as I didn't see him that often).
16:38 westbaystars: Takahashi leads off for the Fighters.
16:39 westbaystars: He's struck out, walked, and been hit by a pitch so far this afternoon.
16:39 westbaystars: Takahashi grounds the first pitch to the left side.
16:39 westbaystars: Imae does a great job to get to the ball. Spins. And fires to first for the out.
16:40 westbaystars: Konta (who I'd been writing as Kohta) grounds the ball up the middle.
16:40 westbaystars: But within range of Tsuyoshi who grabs the ball just left of second and fires to first for out number two.
16:40 westbaystars: Two pitches, two out.
16:40 westbaystars: That brings up Koyano.
16:40 westbaystars: Who takes ball one low and away.
16:41 westbaystars: Koyano swings at the second offering bouncing behind the plate.
16:41 westbaystars: The third offering is swung on and missed, strike two.
16:41 westbaystars: Kobayashi set.
16:41 westbaystars: The pitch.
16:41 westbaystars: Taken in the dirt for ball two. 2 and 2, 2 down.
16:42 westbaystars: The fifth offering is lifted to right field.
16:42 westbaystars: The Right fielder camps under the ball.
16:42 westbaystars: And makes the catch for out number three.
16:42 westbaystars: The Chiba Lotte Marines take Game 2 of Stage 2 by a score of 8-1.
16:43 westbaystars: That evens up the Series at 1 and 1.
16:43 westbaystars: In summary:
16:43 westbaystars: ====
16:43 westbaystars: Game Final
16:43 westbaystars: Chiba Lotte Marines 8 - 1 Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
16:43 westbaystars: ****
16:44 westbaystars: Games
16:44 westbaystars: Lotte 1 - 1 Nippon Ham
16:44 westbaystars: ====
16:44 westbaystars: Satozaki is named hero of the game, going 3 for 5 with a pair of home runs.
16:45 westbaystars: The important one being the gyakuten 2-run homer in the second.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Some rights reserved.
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