Kodoh Closes for BayStars

Bikurishita! With a four run lead in the 9th inning, Ohya-kantoku has a big grin on his face as he tells the home plate umpire of his pitching change. Yokohama Stadium's announcer lets the tension build before finally annoucing, "Kudoh."

Initial shock! Everyone was expecting Kroon's name to be called. I thought I'd mis-heard. Yet, there's Kudoh's image on the scoreboard.

First pitch to Morikasa, ground out to second base. One away.

Hirose battles a few two strike pitches away, gets a ball, then grounds out to Nishi at second, two away.

Kura grounds the third pitch to Nishi at second, and Kudoh closes out the Carp in order in the 9th.

Hama-no-Ojisan ends the game well. This after coming into the game with a 0 and 3 record and 14.50 ERA. He'd spent the last week and a half on the farm, being called up two days ago "to start" according to Nikkan Sports.

Well, that should give him some confidence. Ohya-kantoku said that he was thinking that he wanted Kudoh to start a game, but the opening hasn't come around. So he wanted to get him into a home game at night, and the chance came tonight.

Wow. That was a surprise ending.