September 5th Messenger v Egarashi - Welcome to Koshien

Every Giants rookie pitcher dreams of pitching against Tigers at Koshien and beating the old enemy. Unfortunately, for these tyros it often doesn't turn out that way and Egarashi was just the latest postulant to discover this. He had trouble with the edges of the zone whilst Messenger was superb in this respect and exited ignominiously after less than 3 innings. Tigers established a stranglehold and domination which was amazing given the positions of the respective teams. It was also Giants turn to make the errors and Tigers capitalized. And Fujii? - he performed much better and only managed one mistake throughout the whole game. In fact Messenger hugged the little guy in appreciation at the end of the game. Scores

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

Starting lineups

Giants
1.Chono (Right)
2. Matsumoto (Centre)
3. Sakamoto (Short)
4. Abe (First)
5. Murata (Third)
6. Takahashi (Left)
7. Fujimura (Second)
8. Sanematsu (Catcher)
9. Egarashi (Pitcher)

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

Messenger later said that he tried to do too much in the first innings. He walked the first batter, he faced - Chono and then after getting Matsumoto and Sakamoto out walked Abe. This meant he had to deal with runners on first and second and Murata next. Murata was handled well flying out to second to end the innings. Egarashi looked determined as he took the mound - unfortunately his nerves got in the way of his control. He got the first two outs Uemoto and Yamato but both on full counts. Then he walked Toritani also on a full count. Toritani stole second with Sanematsu throwing a bit behind the plate. However, Ryota Arai managed to fly out to Abe in foul ground to end the innings. Giants second saw the first of 12 strikeouts for Messenger that night. Five of these would be looking with batters completely misjudging the pitch - this was the first of those. Takahashi was the victim. Fujimura singled left and made second on Sanematsu's ground out. The last batter was Egarashi who struck out swinging. Tigers then wasted their first scoring opportunity. Murton singled to centre to lead off the Tigers second and then Brazell flew out to left - a long hit but miscued and never going to get over the fence. Hirano singled right and then a flustered Egarashi walked Fujii to load the bases. Tigers still had two outs but Messenger was the next batter and he struck out swinging. Uemoto doesn't really do well with runners on and in fact isn't that impressive as as lead off. He struck out to end the innings. Two batters struck out looking in Giants third - Chono the first and Sakamoto the last. They sandwiched Matsumoto who grounded out to second. Chono looked like he couldn't believe what had happened but the call looked legitimate on the replay. Good pitching by Messenger. Egarashi having weathered the Tigers second was probably hoping for an easing off of the pressure and a nice easy remainder of his session. It didn't work out that way and it was as much due to his teammates as him. Yamato grounded out to short and then Toritani hit to second. Fujimura and Sakamoto managed to get in each other's way and without actually colliding delayed the throw until it was too late and Toritani was safe. Ryota Arai was next and hit his first pitch to Murata who let it pass under his glove and into the outfield. An error which put Tigers on first and second. Toritani went to steal second and Sanematsu threw dreadfully to third where Murata couldn't take. The ball rolled behind the Giants third and Toritani who had slid in stood up and raced home. Sanematsu blocked the plate but had to jump out of the way as Toritani slid in before the throw arrived 1-0 Tigers and an incredible run. In the meantime Ryota Arai used the opportunity to take second. Murton hit to left but it was always going to be a fly out and then Hara decided to switch pitchers. Takagi took over and walked Brazell. Hirano was next and singled to centre bringing in a runner 2-0 Tigers, runners on first and second. Fujii got a nice hittable pitch and drove it into right centre for another timely single 3-0 Tigers, runners on first and third. One didn't expect much from Messenger so it was a surprise when he turned the ball left getting it on the end of the bat and hitting into left field for another single 4-0 Tigers, runners on first and second. Finally, Uemoto grounded out to end what had been a disaster for Giants.

Giants reponse was slow in coming. Abe grounded out to short to lead off the fourth and then Murata flew out to centre. Two outs but Takahashi hit into centre. Fujimura singled left off his first pitch which brought up Sanematsu. He was walked to get at the pinch hitter which turned out to be Furuki. Furuki actually succumbed fairly rapidly flying out to right and the challenge had been contained. Tigers then set about putting the game beyond the Giants reach. Koyama replaced Takagi and wasn't allowed to settle. His second pitch was hit to left centre by Yamato who possibly could have taken third but was stopped on second. Toritani then hit deep to right over a rather sluggish Chono who jumped in an attempt to take the catch. Yamato waited to see that Chono missed the ball before setting off for home 5-0 Tigers. Toritani once again showing his speed raced round the bases to take third. Ryota Arai waited for the chance and just banged the ball deep for the sacrifice fly to left 6-0 Tigers. Currently, Ryota Arai is a bit of a one shot wonder and he does need to realise that singles are also useful for scoring runs. Still this out gave Koyama the leverage he needed and he got Murton to fly out to centre. Then Brazell flew out to left to end the innings. Messenger could now cruise - he got Chono looking again to start the Giants fifth. Chono was most aggrieved about that but really only had himself to blame. Matsumoto and Sakamoto could only fly out to short and right respectively. Tigers fifth saw Koyama against the bottom of the Tigers order. He had surprisingly survived but this time was more assured and retired the batters in order. Messenger did not repeat his timely hit but grounded out to second. Messenger started Giants second by striking out Abe. He then faced Murata and in a planned move dropped a pitch into the dirt. Fujii was expecting this but missed the take - Murata having swung. The ball cannoned away behind Fujii who spun round rather like the monkey in the kyogen play and stood uncomprehending looking for the ball. Messenger was meanwhile pointing and it finally dawned on Fujii where the ball was - it hadn't rolled too far but it was too late and Murata was first. Messenger didn't look that impressed with the whole business. However, he settled about Takahashi and struck him out swinging. Murata does actually have one stolen base but even so it was surprising to see him actually attempt a steal. He had no hope and Fujii's throw was accurate and the tag applied easily to end the innings. Koyama continued to pitch well against Tigers who were now not too bothered with a six run lead. Uemoto grounded out to third, Yamato struck out and Toritani this time flew out to right.

Giants seventh started with Fujimura hitting a low line drive which Brazell snagged neatly. Then Sanematsu struck out looking for the second time and Yano (pinch hitter) struck out swinging to end the innings rapidly. Tahara took over for Tigers seventh and unlike his earlier compatriots had an easy ride of it. Once again Ryota Arai hit deep to left and flew out but otherwise it was not an innings of note. Messenger pitched the Giants eighth - the complete game shutout was now a possibility but first he had to get through the eighth. Chono led off with a single. The batters needed to hit out - bunting was of no use and so they tried. Matsumoto hit to centre and Yamato took a nice catch running in. Sakamoto struck out swinging and then Ohta (replacement first) also struck out swinging. Hirano led off Tigers eighth by flying out to centre. Fujii worked the count full and then singled to centre. Messenger and yes it was going to be a complete game attempt, tried to bunt but failed in three attempts. No one looked that bothered about this The final batter was Uemoto who struck out swinging. Messenger then had a rather easy ride in Giants ninth Murata went first pitch and then Takahashi put up a bit of resistance but flew out. Finally Fujimura hit to left and ended the game Tigers victory.

Giants had been humiliated which this season is a rather rare thing. In fact it has been pretty much all the other way. Tigers had taken advantage of some superb pitching by Messenger who also confessed to feeling a bit off colour. Long may this continue.