August 24th Nohmi v Ustumi - The good old days

We had a trip down memory lane to 2005 with Kanemoto in position to win the game and this time he delivered. Once again the pitching was dominant in this game with both Utsumi and Nohmi having superb outings though both were over-pitched as usual. Nohmi threw more balls but made fewer mistakes and even though Utsumi only made two mistakes these were enough. The lineup was a lot more sensible last night as well with Murton taking over the five spot and Uemoto moving to two. Tigers still need more power in the top team but at least someone with power was in the No. 5 position. Brazell will be out at least three days which is a pity as Tigers are seriously lacking in run producers at the moment. Scores

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

Starting lineups

Tigers
1. Hirano (Centre)
2. Uemoto (Second)
3. Toritani (Short)
4. Arai (Third)
5. Murton (Right)
6. Sekimoto (First)
7. Kanemoto (Left)
8. Fujii (Catcher)
9. Nohmi (Pitcher)

Giants
1. Sakamoto (Short)
2. Fujimura (Second)
3. Chono (Centre)
4. Ramirez (Left)
5. Yoshinobu Takahashi (Right)
6. Shinji Takahashi (First)
7. Abe (Catcher)
8. Terauchi (Third)
9. Utsumi (Pitcher)

Utsumi started with a bang striking out Hirano looking. He then cruised through the next two batters getting both to ground out. With two out in Giants first Chono hit to left. Nohmi stayed in control and struck Ramirez out swinging to end the innings - his battle with Nohmi would be a vital factor in this game. The second started with Arai picking up a nicely judged walk. Murton then hit straight to Sakamoto for the double play. Sekimoto tried to hit on a full count and struck out swinging. Giants batters queued up to be out in the bottom of the second. Nohmi like Utsumi was practically unhittable. Tigers third followed the same pattern with Nohmi being the final out. Utsumi hit to centre in Giants third and Giants fans and players hopes were briefly raised but neither Sakamoto nor Fujimura could do anything.

Tigers fourth with Hirano leading off proved to be a surprise and embarrassment for Utsumi. His first pitch to Hirano was a changeup in the middle of the zone was stroked by Hirano into the right stand for a solo home run. It was Hirano's first home run of the season and only the third of his Tigers career. Timing was the key - Hirano met the ball perfectly and didn't need much power 1-0 Tigers. Utsumi settled himself down and retired the next three batters but Tigers had the lead. Giants needed to bounce back but Chono struck out. This brought up Ramirez who got a fork low but in the middle of the zone. This was hammered into the back screen next to the TV cameras. It was a much more powerful shot and one couldn't see Hirano pulling such a shot off, Ramirez had no such trouble 1-1 scores tied. This rattled Nohmi who walked Yoshinobu Takahashi. Shinji Takahashi struck out but Abe was able to hit right and Yoshinobu Takahashi took third. However, Terauchi was in the mind to be aggressive and he struck out swinging with runners on first and third. Nohmi had gotten out of the innings with just one run damage and the Giants had had their last hit of the night. Tigers were on one hit with two to go. Murton led off Tigers fifth with their second hit, a single to left. Sekimoto struck out swinging and as he did so Murton set off for the steal. I don't know why Tigers persist with this tactic against Abe - he's always aware of the danger and this time he threw to Sakamoto. Murton was sandwiched, chased down and tagged out - a real waste. Kenemoto drove to first and the innings was over though Shinji Takahashi did fumble the ball. Nohmi was still a bit shaky in the Giants fifth and with two out walked Fujimura. Fujimura stole second, the throw from Fujii being poor but Chono struck out swinging. Fujii led off Tigers sixth with a walk. He was bunted to second by Nohmi and made third on Hirano's ground out. Things looked dangerous but Shunsuke (pinch hitter) struck out looking to a magnificent inside pitch. Giants sixth was quiet - Ramirez led off and struck out looking - he thought he was safe but not so. The two Takahashi's flew out with Yoshinobu falling victim to a fine running take by Shunsuke.

Tigers seventh also saw some more fine pitching by Utsumi with Arai falling to a low pitch which he thought was too low. The normal placid Arai almost commented but discipline reasserted itself. Giants seventh was similarly quiet with Nohmi pitching nicely and you thought that this would be his last innings. Sekimoto led off Tigers eighth flying out to first. Next was Kanemoto and I thought it would be nice if he could hit a home run now - I never expected he would. His second pitch was a nice fat slider which Kanemoto hit high into the right stand for a solo home run 2-1 Tigers. Utsumi watched it closely in the hope that it would go foul or fade but when it didn't he slumped down in dejection. The last hit of the game. Fujii grounded out and then a surprise, Nohmi came in for his at bat. He struck out to end the innings. Nohmi's pitch count was rather high and he has complained of feeling tired after these long sessions so you were hopeful that he would survive unscathed. The first two outs fell comfortably but then Chono walked with Ramirez next. This time Nohmi comprehensively won the battle striking the Giants slugger out swinging to end the innings. Utsumi pitched Tigers ninth and retired the batters in order. No such risk from Mayumi - he sent Fujikawa to the mound. Yoshinobu Takahashi struck out swinging and then Hara sent Furuki in to pinch hit. Furuki has a good record against Fujikawa and whilst no Tyronne Woods he could be said to be the nearest the Tigers pticher has to a nemesis at the moment. Not this time, he too struck out swinging and even though he tried to run for first was the second out. The ato hitori chant started for Abe who hit to Hirano at second for the ground out. Tigers victory.

A well worked victory based on Nohmi's pitching. Utsumi had been better in many ways but had made more mistakes. Tigers batters punished these in the most unlikely way. However, we cannot rely on this happening again and the clean up needs to hit more frequently with runners on. Nohmi is now 7-7 and has won his last three starts in a row. He is pitching well. Fujikawa recorded his 29th save and looked more like the dominant closer of old. A very fine victory.