August 14th Nohmi v Utsumi - Nohmi's good form continues

There are two bright spots to come from the Tigers pitching, Kubo and Nohmi. Kubo did loose last game but has been a very good performer for Tigers. Nohmi is at last beginning to show the consistency needed for a starting pitcher. Mayumi does deserve credit for developing and progressing both these pitchers. Now if only he could do so for the other young pitchers. Once again you think of Uezono, Ishikawa or Kojima with the same persistence - what a rotation Tigers could have and all of these pitchers pitching to Kanoh or Komiyama. Tigers would be strong. Add Cheng to the starting rotation and they would be world beaters. Scores

        1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Tigers  3 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 7 9 0
Giants  0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 4 9 1

Starting lineups

Tigers
1. Akahoshi (Centre)
2. Yamato (Second)
3. Toritani (Short)
4. Kanemoto (Left)
5. Arai (Third)
6. Brazell (First)
7. Sakurai (Right)
8. Kanoh (Catcher)
9. Nohmi (Pitcher)

Giants
1. Sakamoto (Short)
2. Matsumoto (Centre)
3. Ogasawara (Third)
4. Ramirez (Left)
5. Kamei (First)
6. Tani (Right)
7. Abe (Catcher)
8. Terauchi (Second)
9. Utsumi (Pitcher)

Utsumi hasn't had a good year pitching and he has struggled against the Tigers, a team whom he ruled over the season before. This would be demonstrated in dramatic fashion. Akahoshi was back in the side and he led off Tigers first with a hit. Yamato bunted him to second which is expected but really he should be trying to hit. With Akahoshi on second this brought up Toritani who drove his second home run in as many games 2-0 Tigers. Kanemoto flew out and then Arai hit another home run, this time a solo nicely into the left stand where it was welcomed like a long lost brother 3-0 Tigers. Brazell flew out to end the innings. Giants failed to respond in their first as Nohmi retired the first three batters and it looked like it was going to be Tigers night. Tigers second was also quiet. In Giants second Nohmi ran into trouble against their lower order. With two out Tani (who has not been a home run batter this season) hit to left centre for a solo home run 3-1 Tigers. Abe then had a two base hit but Terauchi flew out to end the innings. Tigers third saw Yamato hit but nothing came of this. Giants third was quiet and it was looking very nice for Nohmi.

Tigers fourth saw Utsumi hung out to dry. He started with a lead off hit to Arai. Brazell flew out but then Sakurai with the count full slammed another home run into the left stand 5-1 Tigers and another long lost brother for the Tigers fans to welcome. Kanoh and then Nohmi both struck out but the damage was done. Nohmi did walk Ogasawara to start the Giants fourth but didn't let that affect him. With one out Kamei hit to Toritani who ensured that Ogasawara was out but Tigers couldn't get Kamei who was safe on first. He then decided to chance his luck and steal second but was thrown out by a laser throw from Kanoh to end the innings. Tigers fifth was quiet as the batters fell in order. Tani who was having a very good game hit to lead off the Giants fifth. Abe though hit into a double play and then Terauchi flew out to short to end the innings. Kanemoto started Tigers sixth and then grounded out to short but the mediocre Sakamoto made one of his mistakes and Kanemoto was safe. A walk to Brazell added another runner and Hara decided enough was enough and Utsumi was replaced by Nomaguchi who walked Sakurai to load the bases. Once again Kanoh failed grounding out into a double play to end the innings but at least this time he did so on a full count. Nohmi also ran into trouble in Giants sixth. He started by walking Takuya Kimura (replacement second) but he was out to a Sakamoto double play. Matsumoto hit to left followed by Ogasawara and Giants had runners on first and second. Ramirez was next and Nohmi has generally owned him this season and this innings was no different, Ramirez grounded out to short to end the innings. Tigers seventh saw Nomaguchi return and he faced Nohmi who was going to pitch Giants seventh. Nohmi struck out but Akahoshi hit and then stole second. Yamato grounded out which took Akahoshi to third and then Toritani hammered one of Nomaguchi's sliders over centre who was standing in for a three base hit 6-1 Tigers runner on third. Kanemoto then hit to centre to drive in Toritani 7-1 Tigers runner on first. Arai grounded out to second to end the innings but Tigers now had a game winning lead. Giants seventh was almost a disaster. There was nothing wrong with the decision to bring back Nohmi, he hadn't overpitched but Giants were keyed up and Kamei led off with a two base. Amazingly Tani then slammed his second home run of the night into the left stand where it was treated as if it had swine flu 7-3 Tigers. Abe then hit to right centre for his second two base of the night. Mayumi to his credit pulled Nohmi at this stage - he learned from leaving Kubo in too long. Atchison took the mound and struck out Suzuki (pinch hitter). Kimura then lined out to Yamato whose throw to Toritani caught Abe off second for the final out. Shota Kimura took over the pitching for the Tigers eighth and retired the batters in order. Atchison continued in the Giants eighth and did exactly the same. As Kimura had done so well he returned for the Tigers ninth and once again retired the batters in order. For Giants ninth Mayumi went with Fujikawa who showed rustiness and gave up a lead off home run to Ramirez 7-4 Tigers. He then struck out the next two batters before getting Abe to ground out to Toritani to end the innings. Tigers victory.

A very nice victory based on aggressive batting and nice pitching by Nohmi. Atchison had shown his best form and stymied Giants as they were beginning to accelerate. Fujikawa had not been so good and once again had given up an unneccessary run. He needs to listen to Kanoh more but the surprise of the game was Tani who had hit everything on offer. Toritani had been magnicent again with the bat and in the field and earned a well deserved hero interview.