April 4th Shimoyanagi v Itoh - Punctured Pretensions

Up until this game, Tigers could still nuture hopes that they were competitors. After this game they now know they need to lift their game considerably if they are to be competitors. Quite simply, they are not of the same level as the Dragons and they need to be able to compete at this level to win the pennant. Having a powerful batting lineup is not sufficient especially as Tigers exhibited their usual failing against rookie pitchers. Errors were made by fielders at crucial moments in the two games which can be said to have cost them both games. The relief was mishandled and Mayumi still doesn't know whether he's coming or going. His failure to protest a poor call was mystifying. Johjima also needs to look at how he handles the endgame - he needs more adjustment to be successful. As it was we saw a waste of a very good pitching display by Shimoyanagi. Scores

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

Starting lineups

Tigers
1. Murton (Centre)
2. Hirano (Second)
3. Toritani (Short)
4. Kanemoto (Left)
5. Arai (Third)
6. Johjima (Catcher)
7. Brazell (First)
8. Sakurai (Right)
9. Shimoyanagi (Pitcher)

Dragons
1. Ibata (Second)
2. Cesar (Centre)
3. Morino (Third)
4. Blanco (First)
5. Wada (Left)
6. Koike (Right)
7. Tanishige (Catcher)
8. Iwasaki (Short)
9. Itoh (Pitcher)

Tigers main bright point would be their start. Murton led off with a two base hit. Hirano tried a bunt which turned into a successful bunt hit and he was safe on first with Murton on third. Next batter was Toritani who hit a sacrifice fly to left 1-0 Tigers, runner on first. Kanemoto hit to set up runners on first and third and then Arai flew out to right. Hirano was held back and didn't go for home. This should have been a run but Tigers third base coach is always risk averse. Johjima then grounded out to end the innings and the lead was only 1 run instead of two. Shimoyanagi started by walking Ibata but then kept him pinned on first as he retired the next three batters. Tigers second was quiet as Itoh found his rhythm and retired the batters in order. Wada led off Dragons second with a well hit solo home run 1-1 scores tied. Shimoyanagi then retired the next three batters in four pitches which left the game finely balanced. Whatever, Shimoyanagi's problems in the last game they were not in evidence this game. In Tigers third, Hirano walked with one out but then Toritani hit into a double play and the innings was over. Shimoyanagi was in complete control in the Dragons third and no one reached base.

The game continued as a pitchers duel through the fourth and the top of the fifth with batters going to the plate and getting out. Koike managed a lead off hit in the Dragons fifth and was bunted to second by Tanishige. This didn't help as Shimoyanagi struck out Iwasaki and had Itoh ground out to end the threat. Tigers sixth was quiet as was the Dragons as neither side could get an advantage.

Tigers seventh saw Arai walk with Kanemoto already out but neither Johjima or Brazell were able to do anything about the windfall. Shimoyanagi gave up a hit to Wada and with two out walked Tanishige to set up runners on first and second. Araki (pinch hitter and replacement short) was next and flew out to left to end the innings. This was Shimoyanagi's last innings and he had pitched very well. Over 7 innings he had thrown 80 pitches and given up one run on three hits. Itoh returned for Tigers eighth. Here things started to get interesting. Sakurai walked and was pinch run for by Shunsuke Fujikawa. Asai (pinch hitter) flew out to Itoh who threw the ball to second to catch Fujikawa off base. Fujikawa made base safely but the umpire decided that he hadn't and he was ruled out. Mayumi actually came out of the dugout to protest the call but then had second thoughts and went back in. It would have been worth a protest as the replay and photographs showed that the umpire had gotten it wrong. Murton hit and stole second but then Hirano struck out to end the innings. For Dragons eighth Mayumi chose Kubota. He has been pitching very well but the previous game had pitched two innings. This situation could be considered overusing him. It might have been worthwhile to put Messenger in again and let the latter redeem himself after his failure on Saturday. Kubota had to work pretty hard to get the first two outs but then gave up a lucky centre hit to Cesar. Panic started to set in, Morino hit to put runners on the corner. Then Blanco hit to right bringing home Cesar 2-1 Dragons, runners on first and third. Wada walked to load the bases and this brought up Oyama (pinch hitter). He grounded out to Hirano whose throw to first was just beyond the reach of Brazell. Two runners made home 4-1 Dragons, runners on first and third. Kubota's confidence really went and he gave up a two base to Tanishige 6-1 Dragons, runner on second. Mayumi finally took pity on his pitcher and replaced him with Watanabe who got Araki to ground out and end the innings. But what a disaster for Tigers as the game was now beyond their reach. Takahashi replaced Itoh for Tigers ninth and even though he walked Kanemoto the fight had gone out of Tigers and Arai and Johjima surrendered tamely. Dragons victory.

Tigers had been swept and it must be admitted outplayed over the series. Errors happened at crucial instances that should not have happened and the Dragons had taken full advantage of the situation. Tactical appreciation had been poor - Johjima calling for a deliberate walk of Blanco, Mayumi replacing Uezono too soon and not using Messenger instead of Kubota on Sunday. Kubota melting down though this was probably due to tiredness. As I mentioned above the Dragons are playing at a higher level than the Tigers and for this we have only ourselves to blame. The next two series are at home but are against the Giants and Swallows. Both these teams are formidable opponents and Tigers are going to have to play much better if they are to take any results from them.