Pro Yakyu Game of the Week: 7/4
Discussion in the NPB News forum
Comments
Re: Pro Yakyu Game of the Week: 7/4
[ Author: westbaystars | Posted: Jul 4, 2004 10:36 PM
| YBS Fan
]
Will the game be called by rain? Will they continue as Typhoon #7's arms poor down on Hiroshima? Read on to find out.
TRANSCRIPT generated on - 2004/07/04 22:31
CHATROOM - Game of the Week/Yomiuri Giants vs. Hiroshima Toyo Carp
MODERATORS - westbaystars
18:16 - westbaystars: Radio says that the weather may be a problem this evening as Typhoon #7 approaches.
18:17 - westbaystars: We had beautiful, sunny weather here in Yokohama today, not too hot with
18:17 - westbaystars: ... an easy sea breeze.
18:19 - westbaystars: The announcer is saying that the rain is just now starting, a minute before game time.
18:20 - westbaystars: Feliciano starts on the mound for Hiroshima.
18:20 - westbaystars: The first batter he faces is Nishi.
18:21 - westbaystars: Nishi grounds the ball into one of the corners for a lead-off double.
18:22 - westbaystars: Nioka comes up next.
18:23 - westbaystars: Feliciano goes full count to Nioka.
18:24 - westbaystars: And he gets Nioka swinging for strike three.
18:24 - westbaystars: Feliciano got Nioka swinging at a slider for strike two as well, outside of the strike zone.
18:24 - westbaystars: That'll bring up Rhodes.
18:26 - westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch to Rhodes is lifted to left.
18:26 - westbaystars: Back, back, going, going,
18:26 - westbaystars: foul.
18:27 - westbaystars: By about a meter.
18:27 - westbaystars: The sixth pitch to Rhodes is ripped up the middle to center, but right to Ogata for out number two.
18:28 - westbaystars: Nishi returns to second.
18:28 - westbaystars: Takahashi Yoshinobu comes up next.
18:30 - westbaystars: Takahashi lifts the ball to foul territory on the third base side.
18:30 - westbaystars: Kurihara goes over, and against the fense, doesn't get it as the ball gos out of play.
18:31 - westbaystars: The next pitch is hit up the middle, going, going,
18:31 - westbaystars: haittaaaaaaa.
18:31 - westbaystars: Home run.
18:32 - westbaystars: Takahashi hits a two run home run to straight away center right after TV Asahi went to commercial.
18:32 - westbaystars: That was Takahashi's 20th home run of the season.
18:32 - westbaystars: Kokubo is next, now with the bases empty.
18:34 - westbaystars: But Kokubo lines out (I think) to Arai at first to end the inning.
18:34 - westbaystars: The Giants struck first, getting a two-run home run by Takahashi.
18:34 - westbaystars: ---
18:34 - westbaystars: Bottom of First
18:34 - westbaystars: ---
18:35 - westbaystars: TV Asahi finally joins us for Nishimura's first pitch, called strike one.
18:36 - westbaystars: This is Nishimura's first start.
18:36 - westbaystars: Ogata is the first batter he faces.
18:36 - westbaystars: The ball is lfted to right.
18:36 - westbaystars: Nishi goes out, Takahashi comes in.
18:37 - westbaystars: Nishi, running out, passes by Takahashi and makes a reaching grab for the ball, catching it!
18:37 - westbaystars: That was a long run for the second baseman, but he got it for the first out.
18:37 - westbaystars: And with that, TV Asahi is at commercial again. What's going on with the TV coverage?
18:37 - westbaystars: No wonder so many people aren't watching Giants' games any more!
18:38 - westbaystars: TV Asahi comes back, shows a reply of Takahashi's home run (to left), and goes to commercial again!
18:39 - westbaystars: This is annoying.
18:40 - westbaystars: Shima got on first somehow. I think he walked.
18:40 - westbaystars: Nishimura is now one strike, three balls to LaRocca.
18:41 - westbaystars: And the next pitch is taken low and outside, ball four.
18:41 - westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with one out.
18:41 - westbaystars: Poeple in the stands are starting to put their umbrellas away.
18:42 - westbaystars: Sheets stands in next.
18:42 - westbaystars: He goes after the first pitch.
18:42 - westbaystars: It's going deep to left-center.
18:42 - westbaystars: And it clears the fense! Haitaaaaa!
18:42 - CardiffCarp: I see that Nishimura has an ERA of 162!
18:42 - westbaystars: Sheets hits a gyaku-ten three run home run.
18:43 - CardiffCarp: Feliciano 16.39 - could be a high-scoring game!
18:43 - westbaystars: I think this is only his third appearance. That's going to go up tonight
18:43 - CardiffCarp: Bit late with that call!
18:44 - CardiffCarp: Carp seem to be scraping the barrell with their pitchers
18:44 - westbaystars: Maeda grounds the ball back to Nishimura. The ball bounces off his glove as he jumps.
18:44 - westbaystars: Nishimura quickly scrambles and throws Maeda out by a step.
18:44 - westbaystars: Two down, nobody on.
18:45 - westbaystars: Still, Hiroshima's done well the past couple of days against the Giants.
18:45 - westbaystars: Nishimura walks Kurihara.
18:46 - westbaystars: Walks tend to hurt.
18:46 - CardiffCarp: Yes - 2 of the worst pitching teams in the league
18:46 - CardiffCarp: Both with plenty of firepower
18:46 - westbaystars: The first pitch to Arai bounces off the outside part of the plate and goes to the backstop.
18:46 - CardiffCarp: I'd love to be at the Siminkyujo tonight
18:47 - westbaystars: Kurihara rounds second, then returns as Oda plays the ball off the backstop.
18:47 - westbaystars: Are you in Hiroshima?
18:48 - westbaystars: The count goes full to Arai.
18:48 - CardiffCarp: Cardiff - Wales
18:48 - westbaystars: Arai fouls off the next pitch.
18:48 - westbaystars: Wales. So it's still a fairly reasonable time?
18:48 - CardiffCarp: Manage to listen on RCC and keep track of games when my wife isn't looking!
18:48 - CardiffCarp: 10.44am
18:49 - westbaystars: After another foul ball, Arai takes ball four.
18:49 - westbaystars: Runners now at first and second with two outs.
18:49 - westbaystars: Horiuchi sends his pitching coach out to the mound.
18:50 - CardiffCarp: This is going to be a long one
18:50 - CardiffCarp: Have to go now - off to buy some french bread at the market
18:50 - CardiffCarp: Will check in later - thanks
18:50 - westbaystars: After a brief conference, the rookie will be given another chance for the final out.
18:51 - westbaystars: Ishihara becomes the eighth batter of the inning to face Nishimura.
18:51 - westbaystars: After getting two quick strikes, the next pitch is just outside for ball one.
18:52 - westbaystars: On the next pitch, a semi-pitch out, the Carp have the double steal on.
18:52 - westbaystars: Even though the catcher appeared to be expecting the ball outside (first base side), he was unable to get Kurihara ...
18:52 - westbaystars: ... at third.
18:53 - westbaystars: The next pitch is outside, but reached for and grounded to the right side.
18:53 - westbaystars: Nishimura comes off the mound, plays the ball, and throws to first to end the inning.
18:53 - westbaystars: Well, three runs may not have been too good, but it should reduce that ERA with the three additional outs.
18:54 - westbaystars: At the end of one complete, the Carp have successfully regained the lead 3-2.
18:54 - westbaystars: ---
18:54 - westbaystars: Top of Second
18:54 - westbaystars: ---
18:55 - westbaystars: Petagine leads off the second for the Giants.
18:55 - westbaystars: The rain has now cleared up.
18:56 - westbaystars: Peta swings and, no doubt about that one, it's deep into the right field stands.
18:56 - westbaystars: Haittaaaaaaa.
18:56 - westbaystars: He hit that like a ping-pong ball.
18:56 - westbaystars: And we have a tied ball game 3-3.
18:57 - westbaystars: Feliciano hopefully now knows where not to throw the ball.
18:57 - westbaystars: Shimizu comes up next.
18:58 - westbaystars: The rain just started up again.
18:59 - westbaystars: Shimizu grounds the ball to LaRocca at second.
18:59 - westbaystars: The throw to first almost got away from him, but it was close enough that Arai could reach for it.
18:59 - westbaystars: One out.
19:00 - westbaystars: Oda gives a good drive to center, but Ogata runs over toward left to make the catch for out number two.
19:01 - westbaystars: That brings up Nishimura, batting for himself.
19:01 - westbaystars: The 19 year old was the Giants' second round draft pick in the 2003 draft.
19:01 - westbaystars: And he goes down swinging for the final out.
19:02 - westbaystars: But the Giants tied the game on Petagine's 13th home run of the season to lead off the inning.
19:02 - westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the second, the score is tied 3-3.
19:02 - westbaystars: ---
19:02 - westbaystars: Bottom of Second
19:02 - westbaystars: ---
19:03 - westbaystars: *** Lotte lost 7-0 to Daiei, breaking their 6 game winning streak.
19:04 - westbaystars: Matsumoto comes up to pinch hit for Feliciano.
19:05 - westbaystars: I guess CardiffCarp-san was right, the Carp are getting to the bottom of the barrel with their pitcher.
19:05 - westbaystars: Nishimura comes on and strikes Matsumoto out, swinging at a pitch in the dirt for out number one.
19:05 - westbaystars: That brings us to the top of the order in Ogata.
19:06 - westbaystars: He lines a base hit up the middle for a base hit.
19:06 - westbaystars: That brings up Aka-Godzilla, Shima.
19:08 - westbaystars: Shima takes three balls before watching strike one down the middle.
19:09 - westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded through the right side of the infield, just in front of Ogata.
19:09 - westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with one out.
19:09 - westbaystars: And Ikegawa-pitching coach heads out to the mound for the second time in two innings.
19:10 - westbaystars: Nishimura nods, and the pitching coach returns to the dugout.
19:10 - westbaystars: LaRocca steps in and takes ball one.
19:12 - westbaystars: A while later, we have full count.
19:13 - westbaystars: The next pitch is swung on and missed, strike three!
19:13 - westbaystars: That was a good pitch.
19:13 - westbaystars: That should help give this high school grad's first start a bit of confidence.
19:14 - westbaystars: But next he faces Sheets, who hit the three run shot in the first.
19:15 - westbaystars: Nishimura had Sheets fooled on the one strike, two balls pitch, Sheets half swinging at the slider outside.
19:16 - westbaystars: The next pitch is lifted to straight away center. But Rhodes need take but a couple of steps to get to this one.
19:16 - westbaystars: He takes the ball in, and the side is retired.
19:16 - westbaystars: Nishimura gave up a couple of base hits, but proved stronger in the end.
19:17 - westbaystars: At the end of two complete, the game remains tied 3-3.
19:17 - westbaystars: ---
19:17 - westbaystars: Top of Third
19:17 - westbaystars: ---
19:17 - westbaystars: Hey, I just saw a Live Door commercial.
19:18 - westbaystars: That's the first one I've seen. Are they doing a media blitz with baseball?
19:19 - westbaystars: Oyamada comes in to pitch for Hiroshima after Feliciano was pinch hit for in the bottom of the second.
19:19 - westbaystars: And he comes right after Nishi, striking him out for the first out.
19:20 - westbaystars: Nioka comes up next.
19:20 - westbaystars: Nioka grounds the ball through the left side of the infield for the Giants' fourth hit of the evening.
19:20 - westbaystars: (Two of those were home runs.)
19:21 - westbaystars: That brings up Rhodes.
19:21 - westbaystars: Rhodes had a really big start, but has tailed off lately.
19:23 - westbaystars: Rhodes grounds the ball into the hole on the right side, but LaRocca lunges and fields the ball.
19:23 - westbaystars: He turns and throws a one bounder to second, out!
19:23 - westbaystars: There's no relay to first.
19:24 - westbaystars: Great play to get the lead runner.
19:24 - westbaystars: That gives us two outs and runner on first for Takahashi Yoshinobu, who hit the home run in the first.
19:24 - westbaystars: Takahashi swings at the first pitch and drives the ball to right-center.
19:25 - westbaystars: But this one will stay in the park, and Ogata has it for the final out.
19:25 - westbaystars: The Giants got a base runner, but nothing to show.
19:25 - westbaystars: ---
19:25 - westbaystars: Bottom of Third
19:25 - westbaystars: ---
19:26 - westbaystars: Maeda leads off the Carp third.
19:27 - westbaystars: He goes the other way with a line drive just over Nioka's jumping glove, base hit to left.
19:27 - westbaystars: Hiroshima has their lead-off runner on.
19:27 - westbaystars: Kurihara comes up next.
19:30 - westbaystars: Nishimura gets Kurihara swinging at a high pitch for out number one.
19:31 - westbaystars: The sun had set her in Yokohama a while ago, but it's just starting to set there in Hiroshima.
19:31 - westbaystars: And with the beautiful orange sunset (rain has let up again), Arai rips a grounder up the middle.
19:32 - westbaystars: That sends the pitching coach out to the mound for a third time in three innings, and Nishimura is through after ...
19:32 - westbaystars: ... 72 pitches.
19:35 - westbaystars: Sikorski comes in, and on his first pitch,
19:35 - westbaystars: Ishihara lines the ball to the right side.
19:35 - westbaystars: Nishi jumps, makes the catch, then jogs over to second to fource Maeda who's half way to third.
19:35 - westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:36 - westbaystars: Rookie Nishimura fails to get the win in his starting debut, but he's also saved from a loss.
19:36 - westbaystars: ---
19:36 - westbaystars: Top of Fourth
19:36 - westbaystars: ---
19:38 - westbaystars: With the rain starting up again, Oyamada faces Kokubo.
19:38 - westbaystars: Kokubo hit his 250th home run two days ago (Friday, July 2) here in Hiroshima off of Sasaoka.
19:38 - westbaystars: He singles here for a lead-off base runner.
19:39 - westbaystars: Next up is Petagine, who hit a huge solo home run in the second to tie the game.
19:39 - westbaystars: Peta-chan grounds the ball back to Oyamada. Oyamada bobbles the ball, picks up, and his only play is to first.
19:40 - westbaystars: He could have had a double play if he'd have handled the ball.
19:40 - westbaystars: But with the rain, that's not a sure thing.
19:40 - westbaystars: Runner at second, one out.
19:40 - westbaystars: Shimizu stands in.
19:40 - westbaystars: Shimizu is batting .321 with runners in scoring position.
19:41 - westbaystars: Shimizu grounds the ball to Arai at first.
19:41 - westbaystars: Arai makes the play at first himself while Kokubo heads to third.
19:42 - westbaystars: That brings up Oda, 0 for 4 on the series, in behind the plate for Abe.
19:42 - westbaystars: Abe broke (fractured?) a bone recently, but is expected to be back some time after next week.
19:43 - westbaystars: Oda hits a high bounder off the plate, that's played by Ishihara.
19:44 - westbaystars: It looked like a sure out, but the umpire quickly ruled the ball foul.
19:44 - westbaystars: A couple pitches later is lifted high to the first base side and foul.
19:45 - westbaystars: Ishihara runs over, and near the Giants' on-deck circle, makes the catch to retire the side.
19:45 - westbaystars: The Giants got a runner as far as third, but without a home run, was unable to plate him.
19:45 - westbaystars: ---
19:45 - westbaystars: Bottom of Fourth
19:45 - westbaystars: ---
19:47 - westbaystars: Oyamada is batting for himself, so he's in for long relief.
19:49 - westbaystars: He goes down swinging at a pitch way up at eye level.
19:49 - westbaystars: That brings us back to the top of the order in Ogata.
19:50 - westbaystars: Sikorski strikes out Ogata swinging at a pitch way outside.
19:50 - westbaystars: Back to back strike outs.
19:51 - westbaystars: Shima comes up.
19:53 - westbaystars: Shima was only fooled on the first pitch, and didn't swing at the next four to walk to first.
19:53 - westbaystars: That brings up LaRocca.
19:54 - westbaystars: Sikorski hits LaRocca on the belt with his first pitch, and LaRocca runs up the first base line.
19:54 - westbaystars: That brings up Sheets.
19:55 - westbaystars: The rain is getting harder again.
19:56 - westbaystars: We go to full count.
19:57 - westbaystars: Sheets takes ball four, but the umpire calls it strike three on the outside corner.
19:57 - westbaystars: That retires the side, and Sikorski makes a dash for the third base dugout.
19:58 - westbaystars: After four complete, the score remains taied 3-3.
19:58 - westbaystars: ---
19:58 - westbaystars: Top of Fifth
19:58 - westbaystars: ---
19:59 - westbaystars: All scoring so far has been on home runs.
19:59 - westbaystars: The Giants scored first in the first on Takahashi's two-run home run.
19:59 - westbaystars: Hiroshima came back in the bottom of the first with a three run shot by Sheets.
19:59 - westbaystars: Then Peta-chan led off the second with a solo shot.
20:00 - westbaystars: Sikorski lead off the fifth, batting for himself as he's been very effective.
20:00 - westbaystars: He's swinging pretty well, but lifts a high fly to the right side.
20:00 - westbaystars: Arai camps under the ball just foul of first base, and takes it in for the first out of the inning.
20:00 - westbaystars: That brings us back to the top fo the order in Nishi.
20:01 - Allen: Hi Michael. Thanks for the recap. Does it become an official game in this inning?
20:02 - westbaystars: Yep. But the rain isn't hard enough that I think they'll call it.
20:02 - westbaystars: Nishi grounds out to short. Two down.
20:02 - westbaystars: That brings up Nioka.
20:03 - westbaystars: Typhoon #7 is passing just off the west side of Japan, and a few of the arms are going over the Hiroshima area ...
20:03 - westbaystars: on and off.
20:04 - westbaystars: Here in Yokohama, though, we've got a nice night.
20:04 - westbaystars: I hear hanabi from Hakkei-jima Sea Paradice.
20:04 - westbaystars: And Nioka goes down swinging to end the inning.
20:04 - westbaystars: I think that's the first time the Giants went down in order this evening.
20:05 - westbaystars: ---
20:05 - westbaystars: Bottom of Fifth
20:05 - westbaystars: ---
20:05 - Allen: How did your Baystars do today? I didn't get a chance to see the scoreboard
20:06 - westbaystars: Lost, 5-6.
20:06 - westbaystars: Every time they gave up a run or two, they'd come to within one.
20:07 - westbaystars: Maeda leads off the bottom of the fifth.
20:07 - westbaystars: It's hard to play catch up the whole game.
20:07 - westbaystars: Sikorski throws inside to batters a lot - both left and right.
20:08 - westbaystars: Maeda grounds out to first for the first out of the inning.
20:09 - westbaystars: Kurihara grounds the ball to the gap on the left side.
20:09 - westbaystars: Nioka dives, comes up, throws to first,
20:09 - westbaystars: the one bounder is played by Petagine, out!
20:10 - westbaystars: Great play by Nioka.
20:10 - westbaystars: And the first pitch to Arai is in his ribs! Ouch!
20:10 - westbaystars: Arai gives Sikorski a dirty look, but walks up the line to first holding his side.
20:11 - westbaystars: Sikorski hurries to get the ball and go after the next batter, Ishihara.
20:12 - westbaystars: Ishihara lifts the ball high to the left side.
20:13 - westbaystars: In fair territory, Kokubo calls for the ball.
20:13 - westbaystars: With the rain, this isn't easy.
20:13 - westbaystars: But he makes the catch, and the side is retired.
20:13 - westbaystars: Hiroshima got a base runner, but nothing to show for it.
20:14 - westbaystars: At the end of five complete (making this an official game), the score remains 3-3.
20:14 - westbaystars: ---
20:14 - westbaystars: Top of Sixth
20:14 - westbaystars: ---
20:15 - Allen: Hypothetically, if the game was called due to rain would it go down as a tie or would they finish at a later date?
20:15 - westbaystars: A tie.
20:16 - westbaystars: If the Giants score and it's called before Hiroshima does, I think it reverts to a tie, but am not sure.
20:17 - westbaystars: .. before Hiroshima can bat, that is.
20:17 - westbaystars: Rhodes leads off the sixth with the rain coming down pretty hard.
20:18 - Allen: All of these merger talks cannot make the fans very happy.
20:19 - westbaystars: Rhodes wiggles his bat, and fouls Kikuchihara's first offering off out of play.
20:19 - westbaystars: A couple pitches later, Rhodes swing, stands at the plate, and watches this one go over everybody.
20:20 - westbaystars: There's no doubt about that one, it hits just below the scoreboard.
20:20 - westbaystars: The Giants take a 4-3 lead.
20:20 - westbaystars: Takahashi comes up, and the first pitch is lined into the line of Giants fans in left.
20:21 - westbaystars: That's his second home run of the game, and the Giants now lead 5-3.
20:22 - westbaystars: Kikuchihara isn't making a good impression in his first inning of relief.
20:22 - westbaystars: Kokubo comes up next.
20:22 - westbaystars: I haven't heard of a fan being happy about the prospect of his team merging.
20:23 - westbaystars: Kokubo lines a base hit over Kurihara's head and into left.
20:23 - westbaystars: I think that everyone would prefer a buy out by anybody.
20:24 - westbaystars: But Nabetsu won't allow just *anybody* to become a member of his club.
20:25 - westbaystars: Petagine watches strike three go by for out number one.
20:25 - westbaystars: Peta-chan didn't agree with the inside corner call, but he's out nonetheless.
20:25 - westbaystars: That brings up number seven batting Shimizu.
20:26 - westbaystars: The rain is getting stronger.
20:27 - westbaystars: Shimizu goes down swinging at a pitch way outside.
20:27 - westbaystars: Two down.
20:27 - westbaystars: Oda is swinging at the first pitch and grounds a base hit through the left side.
20:28 - westbaystars: That's his first hit of the season (1 for 6, I think).
20:28 - westbaystars: Motoki comes out to pinch his for Sikorski.
20:28 - westbaystars: That brings Kitabeppu-pitching coach out to talk to Kikuchihara.
20:28 - westbaystars: And there'll be a pitching change.
20:29 - westbaystars: Kawazaki is coming in to pitch for Hiroshima.
20:30 - westbaystars: I haven't seen Nikkan Sports mention the possiblity of the Yakult-Lotte merger that's been discusses here and
20:30 - westbaystars: on Garland-san's site.
20:31 - westbaystars: So far, only SpoNishi seems to have anything on that.
20:31 - westbaystars: *** SpoNichi ***
20:31 - westbaystars: Motoki now stands in as Kawasaki has finished his warm ups.
20:32 - Allen: I haven't read a lot about it yet, but doesn't that make three possible mergers?
20:32 - westbaystars: No, that would be the second. So far as I've heard.
20:33 - westbaystars: Motoki grounds the ball - fair - up the third base line.
20:33 - westbaystars: One run is in.
20:33 - westbaystars: And by the time comes back home, Oda comes in from first.
20:34 - westbaystars: The Giants take a 7-3 lead.
20:34 - westbaystars: Those are the first two "timely" runs of the night, not driven in by home runs.
20:34 - westbaystars: Nishi has a two run double.
20:34 - westbaystars: --- Sorry, Motoki has a two run double.
20:35 - westbaystars: Nishi comes up to the plate.
20:35 - Allen: At this rate, the Carp are hoping for more rain.
20:35 - westbaystars: Nishi breaks his bat on an inside pitch, but the ball goes foul.
20:36 - westbaystars: If that'll cancel out these four runs.
20:36 - habs: good morning
20:36 - westbaystars: Nishi lines the ball to right center, but Ogata is able to get over and bring it in for the final out.
20:37 - westbaystars: Good morning, Habs-san.
20:37 - westbaystars: The Giants scored four this inning, on back to back homers by Rhodes and Takahashi, then a two run double by Motoki.
20:37 - westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the sixth, the Giants now lead 7-3.
20:37 - Allen: Good morning, Habs
20:37 - westbaystars: ---
20:37 - westbaystars: Bottom of Sixth
20:37 - westbaystars: ---
20:38 - westbaystars: In to pitch for the Giant is Maeda.
20:39 - westbaystars: The rain has lighened up a bit, but is still falling.
20:40 - Allen: Does Motoki stay in as the DH?
20:40 - westbaystars: The first Carp Maeda will face is pinch hitter Kimura.
20:40 - westbaystars: DH? There is no DH in the Central League. He pinch hit for the pitcher.
20:41 - westbaystars: There hasn't been any mention of where the pitcher is entering the line-up. Hold on a minute.
20:41 - westbaystars: Kimura is called out on strikes, Maeda just getting the inside corner.
20:42 - westbaystars: It looks like Maeda comes in in the number nine slot, so Motoki was only a pinch hitter.
20:42 - westbaystars: Ogata goes down swinging on three pitches. Two quick strike outs.
20:43 - westbaystars: Shima lines Maeda's first pitch to the right-center gap.
20:43 - westbaystars: The ball bounces, once, twice, three times to the fense.
20:43 - westbaystars: And before the ball comes back, Shima is standing on second with a two out double.
20:44 - westbaystars: That brings up LaRocca.
20:44 - westbaystars: LaRocca is swinging at the first pitch, lining the ball to straight away center.
20:44 - westbaystars: Rhodes fields the ball back peddling to the warning track.
20:44 - westbaystars: That retires the side.
20:45 - westbaystars: No amount of rain can help Hiroshima now.
20:45 - westbaystars: ---
20:45 - westbaystars: Top of Seventh
20:45 - westbaystars: ---
20:46 - westbaystars: The rain has now completely let up, again.
20:46 - habs: Is raining hard?
20:46 - westbaystars: That's how it is after a typhoon has gone by. It starts, rains a while, then stops.
20:47 - westbaystars: Not at all now.
20:47 - westbaystars: Coming home from the train without an umbrella can be an adventure, but possible.
20:47 - westbaystars: Ah, I spoke too soon, it just started up again.
20:48 - westbaystars: Nioka leads off the inning for the Giants.
20:48 - westbaystars: Nibe takes the mound for Hiroshima, third round rookie for Hiroshima in last year's draft.
20:49 - habs: Kaz Matsui scored the winning run yesterday for the Mets against the Yankees.
20:49 - westbaystars: It went from not raining at all to raining pretty hard in just a few minutes.
20:49 - westbaystars: And Nibe strikes out Nioka watching for the first out.
20:50 - westbaystars: They showed that highlight. Kazuo has a great smile when he does well.
20:50 - westbaystars: Rhodes comes up.
20:52 - westbaystars: The count goes full.
20:52 - westbaystars: Rhodes is having some words with the home plate umpire.
20:52 - westbaystars: He disagreed with the call two pitches earlier (a good pitch from this angle).
20:53 - westbaystars: But I'm not sure what he's arguing about now - unless it's the weight of the rain - which is getting heavier.
20:53 - westbaystars: He takes ball four.
20:54 - westbaystars: The Giants have a runner at first, one out, and Takahashi-kun coming up.
20:54 - westbaystars: Takahashi hit a two run shot in the first to start the scoring, then a solo shot following Rhodes in the sixth.
20:55 - westbaystars: Nibe is in the hold one strike, three balls to Takahashi.
20:55 - westbaystars: The next pitch is way outside, ball four.
20:56 - westbaystars: That brings Kitabeppu-pitching coach out to the mound.
20:57 - westbaystars: The 24 year old shakes his head in agreement, and the retired Carp pitching great returns to the dugout.
20:57 - westbaystars: Kokubo comes up to bat.
20:57 - westbaystars: Kokubo lifts a high fly to center.
20:57 - westbaystars: LaRocca goes out, Ogata comes in, and Ogata makes the catch.
20:57 - westbaystars: Two down, runners still at first and second.
20:58 - westbaystars: That brings up Petagine, who homered to lead off the second inning, tying the game at 3-3 at the time.
20:58 - habs: How's the field looking with the rain?
20:58 - westbaystars: Peta-chan takes two quick strikes.
20:58 - westbaystars: Muddy!
20:59 - westbaystars: The entire infield at Hiroshima Shimin Kyujyo is dirt. There's not grass or artificial serface at Hiroshima.
21:00 - westbaystars: Petagine swings at an outside slider, pulls the ball to LaRocca at second.
21:00 - westbaystars: LaRocca throws to first to retire the side.
21:00 - westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the seventh, the Giants continue to lead 7-3.
21:00 - westbaystars: ---
21:00 - westbaystars: Bottom of Seventh
21:00 - westbaystars: ---
21:01 - westbaystars: Kisanuki comes in to pitch for the Giants.
21:02 - westbaystars: He's been only used as a starter so far, this is his first appearance in relief.
21:03 - westbaystars: Sheets leads off against the usual starter.
21:04 - westbaystars: Sheets goes down swinging on a pitch on the inside corner.
21:04 - westbaystars: One out.
21:04 - westbaystars: And the rain is getting even harder.
21:04 - westbaystars: Maeda come up to bat.
21:05 - westbaystars: No relation to the Giants' relief pitcher.
21:05 - westbaystars: Maeda lines the ball off the end of the bat the other way to left.
21:05 - westbaystars: The ball lands well within fair territory.
21:06 - westbaystars: But Maeda must be playing it safe with the mud as he holds to a single.
21:06 - westbaystars: That brings up Kurihara.
21:06 - westbaystars: Kurihara lifts a high fly to right.
21:06 - westbaystars: Takahashi comes in, camps a while, and brings the ball in for out number two.
21:07 - westbaystars: Arai comes up next.
21:08 - westbaystars: Arai hit a home run in yesterday's contest.
21:08 - westbaystars: Arai hits the ball deep to center.
21:09 - westbaystars: Rhodes goes back, to the warning track,
21:09 - westbaystars: and takes the ball in.
21:09 - westbaystars: That retires the side for Hiroshima.
21:09 - westbaystars: At the end of seven complete, the Giants continue to lead 7-3.
21:09 - westbaystars: ---
21:09 - westbaystars: Top of Eighth
21:09 - westbaystars: ---
21:11 - westbaystars: Nibe remains on the mound for Hiroshima.
21:11 - westbaystars: The first batter he faces is Shimizu.
21:12 - habs: Still raining?
21:12 - westbaystars: The stands, which were full up until the sixth inning, have emptied quite a bit.
21:12 - westbaystars: Still heavy rain, although not the heaviest of the evening.
21:12 - westbaystars: Shimizu draws a walk to put the lead-off runner on.
21:13 - westbaystars: And Horiuchi-kantoku calls him bakck to the dugout for pinch runner Ide.
21:13 - westbaystars: I don't think anyone's going to be running in this weather.
21:14 - westbaystars: With Oda at bat, Kisanuki gets ready to bat for himself, taking some advise from Horiuchi-kantoku.
21:14 - habs: Surprise they are trying to finish the game.
21:14 - westbaystars: Oda goes down swinging, reaching for a pitch way low and outside.
21:14 - westbaystars: That's the first out of the inning.
21:15 - westbaystars: Kisanuki lays down a bunt on the first pitch, and Ide moves to second on the sacrifice.
21:16 - westbaystars: I'd want to finish the game if I could.
21:16 - westbaystars: Especially if I was behind.
21:16 - westbaystars: Top of the order in Nishi up to bat.
21:17 - westbaystars: Nishi lifts a high fly to right.
21:17 - westbaystars: Shima goes back, to the warning track, turns,
21:17 - westbaystars: and watches it go just barely over the fense.
21:17 - westbaystars: Home run.
21:17 - westbaystars: The Giants take a 9-3 lead.
21:18 - westbaystars: Nioka fails to check his swing, and is called out on strikes.
21:18 - Allen: And the stands just got a little emptier
21:19 - westbaystars: But not before Nishi increased to the Giants' lead to six runs.
21:19 - westbaystars: Hiroshima is down to two wet at bats.
21:19 - westbaystars: ---
21:20 - westbaystars: Bottom of Eighth
21:20 - westbaystars: ---
21:22 - westbaystars: While at commercial, we got a lead-off base hit.
21:23 - westbaystars: It was Higashide, as a pinch hitter.
21:24 - westbaystars: Another pinch hitter, flies to right.
21:24 - westbaystars: Can you tell that the TV broadcast has finished?
21:25 - westbaystars: It was Morikasa.
21:25 - westbaystars: And we're back to the top of the order in Ogata.
21:26 - westbaystars: Kisanuki is still on the mound for the Giants.
21:26 - westbaystars: Ogata grounds the ball to Nishi at second, who throws to Nioka at second for one, and the relay to first is in time.
21:26 - Allen: No. I wouldn't have noticed - Your doing a great job.
21:27 - westbaystars: The Carp are now down to their final three outs.
21:27 - westbaystars: It takes a lot more concentration to call it from the radio than TV.
21:27 - westbaystars: At the end of eight complete, the Giants lead 9-3.
21:28 - westbaystars: ---
21:28 - westbaystars: To of Nineth
21:28 - westbaystars: ---
21:28 - Allen: What's up with the TV broadcast? Why can't they finish out the game?
21:29 - westbaystars: They only broadcast from 7:00 to 9:24. I still don't understand the reasoning behind that.
21:29 - westbaystars: They started at 6:30 this evening, but then showed nothing but commercials for the first 10 minutes,
21:29 - westbaystars: ... with short 30 second shots of the action.
21:30 - westbaystars: Rhodes leads off against new pitcher Tamaki.
21:30 - westbaystars: Kimura Kazuyoshi comes in to catch.
21:31 - Allen: Is this a national broadcast or one of the teams broadcast?
21:31 - westbaystars: Asahi's national network.
21:31 - westbaystars: The count goes full on Rhodes.
21:32 - westbaystars: Rhodes strikes out swinging, one out.
21:32 - westbaystars: And the rain has stopped yet again.
21:32 - westbaystars: Takahashi, with two home runs on the night, stands in.
21:34 - westbaystars: Welcome back CardiffCarp. Not good news.
21:34 - westbaystars: Takahashi-kun draws a walk for a one out base runner.
21:35 - westbaystars: Kokubo comes up next.
21:35 - CardiffCarp: No - just as well I went out
21:35 - CardiffCarp: Was it a deliberate walk?
21:35 - westbaystars: Kokubo grounds the ball to Sheets at short, shovels to LaRocca for one,
21:36 - westbaystars: and the relay to first is in time to retire the side.
21:36 - westbaystars: That brings us to the Carp's last chance.
21:36 - CardiffCarp: Well - Carp scored a few in the 9th 2 games ago - was it 5?
21:37 - CardiffCarp: So only need one more to take it to extra innings
21:37 - westbaystars: So true. And I saw the BayStars give up 9 last weekend in the eighth inning.
21:37 - westbaystars: ---
21:37 - westbaystars: Bottom of Nineth
21:37 - westbaystars: ---
21:38 - westbaystars: Shima leads off the Carp last chance.
21:38 - westbaystars: Kisanuki remains on the mound for Hiroshima.
21:38 - CardiffCarp: Giants
21:38 - westbaystars: Shima lines the ball over the first baseman and into right field.
21:39 - westbaystars: That makes Shima 3 for 3 on the evening.
21:39 - westbaystars: --- Right, for the Giants.
21:39 - westbaystars: LaRocca follows.
21:39 - Allen: Nice start
21:39 - CardiffCarp: Amazing - I was in Hiroshima when he was drafted as a pitcher
21:40 - CardiffCarp: Sanshin
21:40 - westbaystars: LaRocca lifts the ball to center, Rhodes gets over and sets up quickly,
21:40 - westbaystars: and makes the out. One down.
21:40 - CardiffCarp: sorry - fly
21:40 - westbaystars: That brings up Sheets.
21:41 - westbaystars: Listening on RCC? Wife out?
21:41 - westbaystars:
21:41 - CardiffCarp: Yes - listening
21:42 - CardiffCarp: but wife about to find out!
21:42 - CardiffCarp: Can I make it to the end? Still, doing better than tv broadcaster
21:42 - westbaystars: We have full count to Sheets.
21:42 - westbaystars: Back, back, haittaaaa!
21:43 - CardiffCarp: Home run!!!!!!!!!
21:43 - westbaystars: Sheets hits a two run home run to right-center.
21:43 - CardiffCarp: 4 more to go
21:43 - westbaystars: That brings us to within four runs.
21:43 - westbaystars: The announcer is crediting this home run to the wind, like the home run last inning.
21:43 - CardiffCarp: Sheets doing well at the moment
21:44 - Allen: High five here. Got the rally caps on?
21:44 - westbaystars: That brings up Maeda.
21:44 - westbaystars: Maeda lifts the ball deep, but within range for Rhodes.
21:44 - westbaystars: It sounds like Rhodes has been shifted to left field.
21:45 - westbaystars: Where ever he is, he takes in the second out of the inning.
21:45 - westbaystars: Hiroshima is down to their final out.
21:45 - westbaystars: Kurihara at the plate.
21:45 - CardiffCarp: Playing left field
21:46 - CardiffCarp: Being called for luch - hate to leave a game early but....
21:46 - CardiffCarp: Thanks - this has been fun
21:46 - westbaystars: Kurihara fouls off a couple to keep the count at two strikes, one ball.
21:46 - westbaystars: The sixth pitch is lifted to right.
21:46 - westbaystars: Takahashi has it in his sights.
21:46 - westbaystars: He takes the ball in.
21:47 - westbaystars: And the game is over.
21:47 - westbaystars: The Giants take the game 9-5.
21:48 - westbaystars: ****
21:49 - westbaystars: Habs-san, I've been watching for a Walker report, but I think he's been dropped to 2-gun.
21:49 - westbaystars: I hadn't seen any mention of him pitching this past week.
21:49 - Allen: Michael, thanks again for the words-eye view. I felt like I was there - down to the last raindrop
21:49 - westbaystars: Wish I had something better to report.
21:50 - westbaystars: It's good to have a couple of new names here.
21:50 - westbaystars: Hope to see you again in a couple of weeks.
21:50 - westbaystars: I take it that you read that I'm taking next week off for matsuri.
21:51 - habs: I read that in your article.
21:51 - Allen: Actually, I've been here before. It's just hard to get up at 2:00 AM from Fullerton California
21:51 - habs: What is a matsuri?
21:52 - westbaystars: "Matsuri" means "festival."
21:53 - westbaystars: We carry a heavy shrine around the neighborhood, stopping from time to time to eat and drink.
21:53 - westbaystars: We have a number of festivities planned the first day other than the shrine carrying, but that's the main part.
21:54 - habs: I see you and Allen were talking about the Mergers
21:54 - westbaystars: For example, the elementary school kids (my daughter included) will put on a dance.
21:54 - westbaystars: Yea, for a little bit.
21:55 - westbaystars: I'm still not sure what will happen. Kintetsu is trying to ignore this guy who wants to buy the team.
21:55 - westbaystars: It's very strange, considering that he's giving them a better offer than what Orix is.
21:56 - habs: Sounds like it is a fun day hope the weather is good for you next week.
21:56 - Allen: I hope there are no mergers. If anything, the league needs to expand.
21:56 - westbaystars: It's been off and on rain the past several years. Kind of like this game at times.
21:57 - westbaystars: I'd like to see it expand to Korea and Taiwan.
21:57 - westbaystars: But I've been thinking that my proposal, while possible for Japanese teams, may be out of the others' price range.
21:57 - Allen: Has there been any talks about possibly combining with the Korean League for instance?
21:58 - westbaystars: For example, a plane ticket to Hokkaido from Tokyo can cost more than one to Pussan (sp?), Korea.
21:58 - habs: Surprise they don't expand but money talks.
21:58 - westbaystars: But what about the other way around? I'm not sure, and admit that I haven't investigated that far.
21:59 - westbaystars: Lotte's owner mentioned it, but I don't think Watanabe-owner ever heard it.
21:59 - westbaystars: Lotte has some very good ties with Korea, and the owner (or his son) went to Korea soon after the merger talks started.
22:00 - westbaystars: But I never read anything that may have come from possible talks with KBO teams.
22:00 - westbaystars: I was kind of assuming that that's what the trip to Korea was for. But it may have been a pre-arrange business trip.
22:01 - westbaystars: There are a lot of troubles with the ways that the teams are handling their baseball businesses.
22:02 - Allen: How does the Japanese Olympic team look? How many from the Japanese Pro Leagues?
22:02 - westbaystars: The Giants and Carp (and possibly Lions) are the only teams that strive for profitability.
22:02 - westbaystars: Oddly enough, they're the Giants and Carp are at extream ends of the financial spectrum.
22:03 - westbaystars: The Olympic team is taking two professional player from each team.
22:03 - westbaystars: Four from the Lions when you count the two Taiwanese pitchers.
22:03 - westbaystars: I don't think it's a "Dream Team," though.
22:04 - Allen: You probably heard that the US will not have a team there. We got eliminated by Mexico in the qualifying game.
22:05 - westbaystars: Personally, I'm not a fan for professionals in the Olympics.
22:05 - westbaystars: I did hear that, now that you mention it. But I don't think I believed it.
22:07 - habs: Having professinals on the teams does take away from the excitment.
22:08 - westbaystars: I don't know why, but my impression of the Olympics was that it was a showcase for *future* stars.
22:08 - Allen: I've been tossing around pro vs. amateur for a long time. I think that I enjoy seeing potentially the best athletes
22:09 - Allen: But, it certainly takes away from the true spirit of the games.
22:09 - westbaystars: I'm willing to accept pros, if there were some sort of age limit.
22:09 - westbaystars: Not the super-stars, but future stars. I don't think I can explain it better than that.
22:11 - westbaystars: It's like the whole World Cup idea. I'm not too much for it.
22:11 - westbaystars: I'd rather see a real World Series. A team, not a Dream Team.
22:12 - Allen: I'm with you. The best teams from all pro leagues in a tournament. That would be fun.
22:13 - westbaystars: One would think that professional leagues could arrange something like that.
22:13 - westbaystars: Why, then, do they have to showcase in the Olympics?
22:15 - habs: It would be cold in New York or Boston at the end of the season.
22:15 - Allen: Baseball has been on the border of being knocked out of the Olympics.
22:15 - westbaystars: Very good point.
22:15 - Allen: A world tournament would make the Olympic tournament obsolete
22:17 - westbaystars: So would baseball being kicked out of the Olypics create a push for a world tournament?
22:17 - habs: Maybe in my son's lifetime he'll see a world tournament.
22:18 - westbaystars: I hope so.
22:19 - Allen: I think it would work the other way around. A world tournament would probably spell the end of baseball in the Olympics
22:19 - Allen: Since they were going in that direction to begin with
22:21 - Allen: They shoul probably hold the tournament in a domed stadium or retractable roof like Tokyo Dome or Seattle's Safeco Field
22:21 - habs: No Mcstevie this week.
22:22 - westbaystars: Another four years? 10 years? I've been hearing about the Majors entering World Cup baseball for years,
22:22 - westbaystars: ... without results.
22:22 - westbaystars: Looks like he's off this week. Aren't universities out on summer vacation about now?
22:23 - habs: You're right they are off.
22:24 - habs: I'm confused went to my son's college yesterday for his testing.
22:27 - westbaystars: Then it's finals time? Mcstevie broadcasts to the student radio station.
22:27 - westbaystars: The semester ending is just one possiblity.
22:27 - westbaystars: He'd mentioned a lot of technical problems there in the past.
22:27 - Allen: I must leave now. Thanks again, Michael. I really enjoyed tuning in. Great job as always.
22:28 - westbaystars: And with the IE scare (even the Homeland Security Department says "Don't use IE"), they may not be allowed to use the
22:28 - westbaystars: ... Internet until an alternate browser is installed or their systems are fully patched.
22:28 - westbaystars: Thanks for coming. Hope to see you again in a couple of weeks.
22:29 - habs: Well I'll hit the road to. Have fun next wek and see you in a couple.
22:30 - westbaystars: See you then. Take care.
22:30 - habs: You did another good job.
TRANSCRIPT generated on - 2004/07/04 22:31
CHATROOM - Game of the Week/Yomiuri Giants vs. Hiroshima Toyo Carp
MODERATORS - westbaystars
18:16 - westbaystars: Radio says that the weather may be a problem this evening as Typhoon #7 approaches.
18:17 - westbaystars: We had beautiful, sunny weather here in Yokohama today, not too hot with
18:17 - westbaystars: ... an easy sea breeze.
18:19 - westbaystars: The announcer is saying that the rain is just now starting, a minute before game time.
18:20 - westbaystars: Feliciano starts on the mound for Hiroshima.
18:20 - westbaystars: The first batter he faces is Nishi.
18:21 - westbaystars: Nishi grounds the ball into one of the corners for a lead-off double.
18:22 - westbaystars: Nioka comes up next.
18:23 - westbaystars: Feliciano goes full count to Nioka.
18:24 - westbaystars: And he gets Nioka swinging for strike three.
18:24 - westbaystars: Feliciano got Nioka swinging at a slider for strike two as well, outside of the strike zone.
18:24 - westbaystars: That'll bring up Rhodes.
18:26 - westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch to Rhodes is lifted to left.
18:26 - westbaystars: Back, back, going, going,
18:26 - westbaystars: foul.
18:27 - westbaystars: By about a meter.
18:27 - westbaystars: The sixth pitch to Rhodes is ripped up the middle to center, but right to Ogata for out number two.
18:28 - westbaystars: Nishi returns to second.
18:28 - westbaystars: Takahashi Yoshinobu comes up next.
18:30 - westbaystars: Takahashi lifts the ball to foul territory on the third base side.
18:30 - westbaystars: Kurihara goes over, and against the fense, doesn't get it as the ball gos out of play.
18:31 - westbaystars: The next pitch is hit up the middle, going, going,
18:31 - westbaystars: haittaaaaaaa.
18:31 - westbaystars: Home run.
18:32 - westbaystars: Takahashi hits a two run home run to straight away center right after TV Asahi went to commercial.
18:32 - westbaystars: That was Takahashi's 20th home run of the season.
18:32 - westbaystars: Kokubo is next, now with the bases empty.
18:34 - westbaystars: But Kokubo lines out (I think) to Arai at first to end the inning.
18:34 - westbaystars: The Giants struck first, getting a two-run home run by Takahashi.
18:34 - westbaystars: ---
18:34 - westbaystars: Bottom of First
18:34 - westbaystars: ---
18:35 - westbaystars: TV Asahi finally joins us for Nishimura's first pitch, called strike one.
18:36 - westbaystars: This is Nishimura's first start.
18:36 - westbaystars: Ogata is the first batter he faces.
18:36 - westbaystars: The ball is lfted to right.
18:36 - westbaystars: Nishi goes out, Takahashi comes in.
18:37 - westbaystars: Nishi, running out, passes by Takahashi and makes a reaching grab for the ball, catching it!
18:37 - westbaystars: That was a long run for the second baseman, but he got it for the first out.
18:37 - westbaystars: And with that, TV Asahi is at commercial again. What's going on with the TV coverage?
18:37 - westbaystars: No wonder so many people aren't watching Giants' games any more!
18:38 - westbaystars: TV Asahi comes back, shows a reply of Takahashi's home run (to left), and goes to commercial again!
18:39 - westbaystars: This is annoying.
18:40 - westbaystars: Shima got on first somehow. I think he walked.
18:40 - westbaystars: Nishimura is now one strike, three balls to LaRocca.
18:41 - westbaystars: And the next pitch is taken low and outside, ball four.
18:41 - westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with one out.
18:41 - westbaystars: Poeple in the stands are starting to put their umbrellas away.
18:42 - westbaystars: Sheets stands in next.
18:42 - westbaystars: He goes after the first pitch.
18:42 - westbaystars: It's going deep to left-center.
18:42 - westbaystars: And it clears the fense! Haitaaaaa!
18:42 - CardiffCarp: I see that Nishimura has an ERA of 162!
18:42 - westbaystars: Sheets hits a gyaku-ten three run home run.
18:43 - CardiffCarp: Feliciano 16.39 - could be a high-scoring game!
18:43 - westbaystars: I think this is only his third appearance. That's going to go up tonight
18:43 - CardiffCarp: Bit late with that call!
18:44 - CardiffCarp: Carp seem to be scraping the barrell with their pitchers
18:44 - westbaystars: Maeda grounds the ball back to Nishimura. The ball bounces off his glove as he jumps.
18:44 - westbaystars: Nishimura quickly scrambles and throws Maeda out by a step.
18:44 - westbaystars: Two down, nobody on.
18:45 - westbaystars: Still, Hiroshima's done well the past couple of days against the Giants.
18:45 - westbaystars: Nishimura walks Kurihara.
18:46 - westbaystars: Walks tend to hurt.
18:46 - CardiffCarp: Yes - 2 of the worst pitching teams in the league
18:46 - CardiffCarp: Both with plenty of firepower
18:46 - westbaystars: The first pitch to Arai bounces off the outside part of the plate and goes to the backstop.
18:46 - CardiffCarp: I'd love to be at the Siminkyujo tonight
18:47 - westbaystars: Kurihara rounds second, then returns as Oda plays the ball off the backstop.
18:47 - westbaystars: Are you in Hiroshima?
18:48 - westbaystars: The count goes full to Arai.
18:48 - CardiffCarp: Cardiff - Wales
18:48 - westbaystars: Arai fouls off the next pitch.
18:48 - westbaystars: Wales. So it's still a fairly reasonable time?
18:48 - CardiffCarp: Manage to listen on RCC and keep track of games when my wife isn't looking!
18:48 - CardiffCarp: 10.44am
18:49 - westbaystars: After another foul ball, Arai takes ball four.
18:49 - westbaystars: Runners now at first and second with two outs.
18:49 - westbaystars: Horiuchi sends his pitching coach out to the mound.
18:50 - CardiffCarp: This is going to be a long one
18:50 - CardiffCarp: Have to go now - off to buy some french bread at the market
18:50 - CardiffCarp: Will check in later - thanks
18:50 - westbaystars: After a brief conference, the rookie will be given another chance for the final out.
18:51 - westbaystars: Ishihara becomes the eighth batter of the inning to face Nishimura.
18:51 - westbaystars: After getting two quick strikes, the next pitch is just outside for ball one.
18:52 - westbaystars: On the next pitch, a semi-pitch out, the Carp have the double steal on.
18:52 - westbaystars: Even though the catcher appeared to be expecting the ball outside (first base side), he was unable to get Kurihara ...
18:52 - westbaystars: ... at third.
18:53 - westbaystars: The next pitch is outside, but reached for and grounded to the right side.
18:53 - westbaystars: Nishimura comes off the mound, plays the ball, and throws to first to end the inning.
18:53 - westbaystars: Well, three runs may not have been too good, but it should reduce that ERA with the three additional outs.
18:54 - westbaystars: At the end of one complete, the Carp have successfully regained the lead 3-2.
18:54 - westbaystars: ---
18:54 - westbaystars: Top of Second
18:54 - westbaystars: ---
18:55 - westbaystars: Petagine leads off the second for the Giants.
18:55 - westbaystars: The rain has now cleared up.
18:56 - westbaystars: Peta swings and, no doubt about that one, it's deep into the right field stands.
18:56 - westbaystars: Haittaaaaaaa.
18:56 - westbaystars: He hit that like a ping-pong ball.
18:56 - westbaystars: And we have a tied ball game 3-3.
18:57 - westbaystars: Feliciano hopefully now knows where not to throw the ball.
18:57 - westbaystars: Shimizu comes up next.
18:58 - westbaystars: The rain just started up again.
18:59 - westbaystars: Shimizu grounds the ball to LaRocca at second.
18:59 - westbaystars: The throw to first almost got away from him, but it was close enough that Arai could reach for it.
18:59 - westbaystars: One out.
19:00 - westbaystars: Oda gives a good drive to center, but Ogata runs over toward left to make the catch for out number two.
19:01 - westbaystars: That brings up Nishimura, batting for himself.
19:01 - westbaystars: The 19 year old was the Giants' second round draft pick in the 2003 draft.
19:01 - westbaystars: And he goes down swinging for the final out.
19:02 - westbaystars: But the Giants tied the game on Petagine's 13th home run of the season to lead off the inning.
19:02 - westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the second, the score is tied 3-3.
19:02 - westbaystars: ---
19:02 - westbaystars: Bottom of Second
19:02 - westbaystars: ---
19:03 - westbaystars: *** Lotte lost 7-0 to Daiei, breaking their 6 game winning streak.
19:04 - westbaystars: Matsumoto comes up to pinch hit for Feliciano.
19:05 - westbaystars: I guess CardiffCarp-san was right, the Carp are getting to the bottom of the barrel with their pitcher.
19:05 - westbaystars: Nishimura comes on and strikes Matsumoto out, swinging at a pitch in the dirt for out number one.
19:05 - westbaystars: That brings us to the top of the order in Ogata.
19:06 - westbaystars: He lines a base hit up the middle for a base hit.
19:06 - westbaystars: That brings up Aka-Godzilla, Shima.
19:08 - westbaystars: Shima takes three balls before watching strike one down the middle.
19:09 - westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded through the right side of the infield, just in front of Ogata.
19:09 - westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with one out.
19:09 - westbaystars: And Ikegawa-pitching coach heads out to the mound for the second time in two innings.
19:10 - westbaystars: Nishimura nods, and the pitching coach returns to the dugout.
19:10 - westbaystars: LaRocca steps in and takes ball one.
19:12 - westbaystars: A while later, we have full count.
19:13 - westbaystars: The next pitch is swung on and missed, strike three!
19:13 - westbaystars: That was a good pitch.
19:13 - westbaystars: That should help give this high school grad's first start a bit of confidence.
19:14 - westbaystars: But next he faces Sheets, who hit the three run shot in the first.
19:15 - westbaystars: Nishimura had Sheets fooled on the one strike, two balls pitch, Sheets half swinging at the slider outside.
19:16 - westbaystars: The next pitch is lifted to straight away center. But Rhodes need take but a couple of steps to get to this one.
19:16 - westbaystars: He takes the ball in, and the side is retired.
19:16 - westbaystars: Nishimura gave up a couple of base hits, but proved stronger in the end.
19:17 - westbaystars: At the end of two complete, the game remains tied 3-3.
19:17 - westbaystars: ---
19:17 - westbaystars: Top of Third
19:17 - westbaystars: ---
19:17 - westbaystars: Hey, I just saw a Live Door commercial.
19:18 - westbaystars: That's the first one I've seen. Are they doing a media blitz with baseball?
19:19 - westbaystars: Oyamada comes in to pitch for Hiroshima after Feliciano was pinch hit for in the bottom of the second.
19:19 - westbaystars: And he comes right after Nishi, striking him out for the first out.
19:20 - westbaystars: Nioka comes up next.
19:20 - westbaystars: Nioka grounds the ball through the left side of the infield for the Giants' fourth hit of the evening.
19:20 - westbaystars: (Two of those were home runs.)
19:21 - westbaystars: That brings up Rhodes.
19:21 - westbaystars: Rhodes had a really big start, but has tailed off lately.
19:23 - westbaystars: Rhodes grounds the ball into the hole on the right side, but LaRocca lunges and fields the ball.
19:23 - westbaystars: He turns and throws a one bounder to second, out!
19:23 - westbaystars: There's no relay to first.
19:24 - westbaystars: Great play to get the lead runner.
19:24 - westbaystars: That gives us two outs and runner on first for Takahashi Yoshinobu, who hit the home run in the first.
19:24 - westbaystars: Takahashi swings at the first pitch and drives the ball to right-center.
19:25 - westbaystars: But this one will stay in the park, and Ogata has it for the final out.
19:25 - westbaystars: The Giants got a base runner, but nothing to show.
19:25 - westbaystars: ---
19:25 - westbaystars: Bottom of Third
19:25 - westbaystars: ---
19:26 - westbaystars: Maeda leads off the Carp third.
19:27 - westbaystars: He goes the other way with a line drive just over Nioka's jumping glove, base hit to left.
19:27 - westbaystars: Hiroshima has their lead-off runner on.
19:27 - westbaystars: Kurihara comes up next.
19:30 - westbaystars: Nishimura gets Kurihara swinging at a high pitch for out number one.
19:31 - westbaystars: The sun had set her in Yokohama a while ago, but it's just starting to set there in Hiroshima.
19:31 - westbaystars: And with the beautiful orange sunset (rain has let up again), Arai rips a grounder up the middle.
19:32 - westbaystars: That sends the pitching coach out to the mound for a third time in three innings, and Nishimura is through after ...
19:32 - westbaystars: ... 72 pitches.
19:35 - westbaystars: Sikorski comes in, and on his first pitch,
19:35 - westbaystars: Ishihara lines the ball to the right side.
19:35 - westbaystars: Nishi jumps, makes the catch, then jogs over to second to fource Maeda who's half way to third.
19:35 - westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:36 - westbaystars: Rookie Nishimura fails to get the win in his starting debut, but he's also saved from a loss.
19:36 - westbaystars: ---
19:36 - westbaystars: Top of Fourth
19:36 - westbaystars: ---
19:38 - westbaystars: With the rain starting up again, Oyamada faces Kokubo.
19:38 - westbaystars: Kokubo hit his 250th home run two days ago (Friday, July 2) here in Hiroshima off of Sasaoka.
19:38 - westbaystars: He singles here for a lead-off base runner.
19:39 - westbaystars: Next up is Petagine, who hit a huge solo home run in the second to tie the game.
19:39 - westbaystars: Peta-chan grounds the ball back to Oyamada. Oyamada bobbles the ball, picks up, and his only play is to first.
19:40 - westbaystars: He could have had a double play if he'd have handled the ball.
19:40 - westbaystars: But with the rain, that's not a sure thing.
19:40 - westbaystars: Runner at second, one out.
19:40 - westbaystars: Shimizu stands in.
19:40 - westbaystars: Shimizu is batting .321 with runners in scoring position.
19:41 - westbaystars: Shimizu grounds the ball to Arai at first.
19:41 - westbaystars: Arai makes the play at first himself while Kokubo heads to third.
19:42 - westbaystars: That brings up Oda, 0 for 4 on the series, in behind the plate for Abe.
19:42 - westbaystars: Abe broke (fractured?) a bone recently, but is expected to be back some time after next week.
19:43 - westbaystars: Oda hits a high bounder off the plate, that's played by Ishihara.
19:44 - westbaystars: It looked like a sure out, but the umpire quickly ruled the ball foul.
19:44 - westbaystars: A couple pitches later is lifted high to the first base side and foul.
19:45 - westbaystars: Ishihara runs over, and near the Giants' on-deck circle, makes the catch to retire the side.
19:45 - westbaystars: The Giants got a runner as far as third, but without a home run, was unable to plate him.
19:45 - westbaystars: ---
19:45 - westbaystars: Bottom of Fourth
19:45 - westbaystars: ---
19:47 - westbaystars: Oyamada is batting for himself, so he's in for long relief.
19:49 - westbaystars: He goes down swinging at a pitch way up at eye level.
19:49 - westbaystars: That brings us back to the top of the order in Ogata.
19:50 - westbaystars: Sikorski strikes out Ogata swinging at a pitch way outside.
19:50 - westbaystars: Back to back strike outs.
19:51 - westbaystars: Shima comes up.
19:53 - westbaystars: Shima was only fooled on the first pitch, and didn't swing at the next four to walk to first.
19:53 - westbaystars: That brings up LaRocca.
19:54 - westbaystars: Sikorski hits LaRocca on the belt with his first pitch, and LaRocca runs up the first base line.
19:54 - westbaystars: That brings up Sheets.
19:55 - westbaystars: The rain is getting harder again.
19:56 - westbaystars: We go to full count.
19:57 - westbaystars: Sheets takes ball four, but the umpire calls it strike three on the outside corner.
19:57 - westbaystars: That retires the side, and Sikorski makes a dash for the third base dugout.
19:58 - westbaystars: After four complete, the score remains taied 3-3.
19:58 - westbaystars: ---
19:58 - westbaystars: Top of Fifth
19:58 - westbaystars: ---
19:59 - westbaystars: All scoring so far has been on home runs.
19:59 - westbaystars: The Giants scored first in the first on Takahashi's two-run home run.
19:59 - westbaystars: Hiroshima came back in the bottom of the first with a three run shot by Sheets.
19:59 - westbaystars: Then Peta-chan led off the second with a solo shot.
20:00 - westbaystars: Sikorski lead off the fifth, batting for himself as he's been very effective.
20:00 - westbaystars: He's swinging pretty well, but lifts a high fly to the right side.
20:00 - westbaystars: Arai camps under the ball just foul of first base, and takes it in for the first out of the inning.
20:00 - westbaystars: That brings us back to the top fo the order in Nishi.
20:01 - Allen: Hi Michael. Thanks for the recap. Does it become an official game in this inning?
20:02 - westbaystars: Yep. But the rain isn't hard enough that I think they'll call it.
20:02 - westbaystars: Nishi grounds out to short. Two down.
20:02 - westbaystars: That brings up Nioka.
20:03 - westbaystars: Typhoon #7 is passing just off the west side of Japan, and a few of the arms are going over the Hiroshima area ...
20:03 - westbaystars: on and off.
20:04 - westbaystars: Here in Yokohama, though, we've got a nice night.
20:04 - westbaystars: I hear hanabi from Hakkei-jima Sea Paradice.
20:04 - westbaystars: And Nioka goes down swinging to end the inning.
20:04 - westbaystars: I think that's the first time the Giants went down in order this evening.
20:05 - westbaystars: ---
20:05 - westbaystars: Bottom of Fifth
20:05 - westbaystars: ---
20:05 - Allen: How did your Baystars do today? I didn't get a chance to see the scoreboard
20:06 - westbaystars: Lost, 5-6.
20:06 - westbaystars: Every time they gave up a run or two, they'd come to within one.
20:07 - westbaystars: Maeda leads off the bottom of the fifth.
20:07 - westbaystars: It's hard to play catch up the whole game.
20:07 - westbaystars: Sikorski throws inside to batters a lot - both left and right.
20:08 - westbaystars: Maeda grounds out to first for the first out of the inning.
20:09 - westbaystars: Kurihara grounds the ball to the gap on the left side.
20:09 - westbaystars: Nioka dives, comes up, throws to first,
20:09 - westbaystars: the one bounder is played by Petagine, out!
20:10 - westbaystars: Great play by Nioka.
20:10 - westbaystars: And the first pitch to Arai is in his ribs! Ouch!
20:10 - westbaystars: Arai gives Sikorski a dirty look, but walks up the line to first holding his side.
20:11 - westbaystars: Sikorski hurries to get the ball and go after the next batter, Ishihara.
20:12 - westbaystars: Ishihara lifts the ball high to the left side.
20:13 - westbaystars: In fair territory, Kokubo calls for the ball.
20:13 - westbaystars: With the rain, this isn't easy.
20:13 - westbaystars: But he makes the catch, and the side is retired.
20:13 - westbaystars: Hiroshima got a base runner, but nothing to show for it.
20:14 - westbaystars: At the end of five complete (making this an official game), the score remains 3-3.
20:14 - westbaystars: ---
20:14 - westbaystars: Top of Sixth
20:14 - westbaystars: ---
20:15 - Allen: Hypothetically, if the game was called due to rain would it go down as a tie or would they finish at a later date?
20:15 - westbaystars: A tie.
20:16 - westbaystars: If the Giants score and it's called before Hiroshima does, I think it reverts to a tie, but am not sure.
20:17 - westbaystars: .. before Hiroshima can bat, that is.
20:17 - westbaystars: Rhodes leads off the sixth with the rain coming down pretty hard.
20:18 - Allen: All of these merger talks cannot make the fans very happy.
20:19 - westbaystars: Rhodes wiggles his bat, and fouls Kikuchihara's first offering off out of play.
20:19 - westbaystars: A couple pitches later, Rhodes swing, stands at the plate, and watches this one go over everybody.
20:20 - westbaystars: There's no doubt about that one, it hits just below the scoreboard.
20:20 - westbaystars: The Giants take a 4-3 lead.
20:20 - westbaystars: Takahashi comes up, and the first pitch is lined into the line of Giants fans in left.
20:21 - westbaystars: That's his second home run of the game, and the Giants now lead 5-3.
20:22 - westbaystars: Kikuchihara isn't making a good impression in his first inning of relief.
20:22 - westbaystars: Kokubo comes up next.
20:22 - westbaystars: I haven't heard of a fan being happy about the prospect of his team merging.
20:23 - westbaystars: Kokubo lines a base hit over Kurihara's head and into left.
20:23 - westbaystars: I think that everyone would prefer a buy out by anybody.
20:24 - westbaystars: But Nabetsu won't allow just *anybody* to become a member of his club.
20:25 - westbaystars: Petagine watches strike three go by for out number one.
20:25 - westbaystars: Peta-chan didn't agree with the inside corner call, but he's out nonetheless.
20:25 - westbaystars: That brings up number seven batting Shimizu.
20:26 - westbaystars: The rain is getting stronger.
20:27 - westbaystars: Shimizu goes down swinging at a pitch way outside.
20:27 - westbaystars: Two down.
20:27 - westbaystars: Oda is swinging at the first pitch and grounds a base hit through the left side.
20:28 - westbaystars: That's his first hit of the season (1 for 6, I think).
20:28 - westbaystars: Motoki comes out to pinch his for Sikorski.
20:28 - westbaystars: That brings Kitabeppu-pitching coach out to talk to Kikuchihara.
20:28 - westbaystars: And there'll be a pitching change.
20:29 - westbaystars: Kawazaki is coming in to pitch for Hiroshima.
20:30 - westbaystars: I haven't seen Nikkan Sports mention the possiblity of the Yakult-Lotte merger that's been discusses here and
20:30 - westbaystars: on Garland-san's site.
20:31 - westbaystars: So far, only SpoNishi seems to have anything on that.
20:31 - westbaystars: *** SpoNichi ***
20:31 - westbaystars: Motoki now stands in as Kawasaki has finished his warm ups.
20:32 - Allen: I haven't read a lot about it yet, but doesn't that make three possible mergers?
20:32 - westbaystars: No, that would be the second. So far as I've heard.
20:33 - westbaystars: Motoki grounds the ball - fair - up the third base line.
20:33 - westbaystars: One run is in.
20:33 - westbaystars: And by the time comes back home, Oda comes in from first.
20:34 - westbaystars: The Giants take a 7-3 lead.
20:34 - westbaystars: Those are the first two "timely" runs of the night, not driven in by home runs.
20:34 - westbaystars: Nishi has a two run double.
20:34 - westbaystars: --- Sorry, Motoki has a two run double.
20:35 - westbaystars: Nishi comes up to the plate.
20:35 - Allen: At this rate, the Carp are hoping for more rain.
20:35 - westbaystars: Nishi breaks his bat on an inside pitch, but the ball goes foul.
20:36 - westbaystars: If that'll cancel out these four runs.
20:36 - habs: good morning
20:36 - westbaystars: Nishi lines the ball to right center, but Ogata is able to get over and bring it in for the final out.
20:37 - westbaystars: Good morning, Habs-san.
20:37 - westbaystars: The Giants scored four this inning, on back to back homers by Rhodes and Takahashi, then a two run double by Motoki.
20:37 - westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the sixth, the Giants now lead 7-3.
20:37 - Allen: Good morning, Habs
20:37 - westbaystars: ---
20:37 - westbaystars: Bottom of Sixth
20:37 - westbaystars: ---
20:38 - westbaystars: In to pitch for the Giant is Maeda.
20:39 - westbaystars: The rain has lighened up a bit, but is still falling.
20:40 - Allen: Does Motoki stay in as the DH?
20:40 - westbaystars: The first Carp Maeda will face is pinch hitter Kimura.
20:40 - westbaystars: DH? There is no DH in the Central League. He pinch hit for the pitcher.
20:41 - westbaystars: There hasn't been any mention of where the pitcher is entering the line-up. Hold on a minute.
20:41 - westbaystars: Kimura is called out on strikes, Maeda just getting the inside corner.
20:42 - westbaystars: It looks like Maeda comes in in the number nine slot, so Motoki was only a pinch hitter.
20:42 - westbaystars: Ogata goes down swinging on three pitches. Two quick strike outs.
20:43 - westbaystars: Shima lines Maeda's first pitch to the right-center gap.
20:43 - westbaystars: The ball bounces, once, twice, three times to the fense.
20:43 - westbaystars: And before the ball comes back, Shima is standing on second with a two out double.
20:44 - westbaystars: That brings up LaRocca.
20:44 - westbaystars: LaRocca is swinging at the first pitch, lining the ball to straight away center.
20:44 - westbaystars: Rhodes fields the ball back peddling to the warning track.
20:44 - westbaystars: That retires the side.
20:45 - westbaystars: No amount of rain can help Hiroshima now.
20:45 - westbaystars: ---
20:45 - westbaystars: Top of Seventh
20:45 - westbaystars: ---
20:46 - westbaystars: The rain has now completely let up, again.
20:46 - habs: Is raining hard?
20:46 - westbaystars: That's how it is after a typhoon has gone by. It starts, rains a while, then stops.
20:47 - westbaystars: Not at all now.
20:47 - westbaystars: Coming home from the train without an umbrella can be an adventure, but possible.
20:47 - westbaystars: Ah, I spoke too soon, it just started up again.
20:48 - westbaystars: Nioka leads off the inning for the Giants.
20:48 - westbaystars: Nibe takes the mound for Hiroshima, third round rookie for Hiroshima in last year's draft.
20:49 - habs: Kaz Matsui scored the winning run yesterday for the Mets against the Yankees.
20:49 - westbaystars: It went from not raining at all to raining pretty hard in just a few minutes.
20:49 - westbaystars: And Nibe strikes out Nioka watching for the first out.
20:50 - westbaystars: They showed that highlight. Kazuo has a great smile when he does well.
20:50 - westbaystars: Rhodes comes up.
20:52 - westbaystars: The count goes full.
20:52 - westbaystars: Rhodes is having some words with the home plate umpire.
20:52 - westbaystars: He disagreed with the call two pitches earlier (a good pitch from this angle).
20:53 - westbaystars: But I'm not sure what he's arguing about now - unless it's the weight of the rain - which is getting heavier.
20:53 - westbaystars: He takes ball four.
20:54 - westbaystars: The Giants have a runner at first, one out, and Takahashi-kun coming up.
20:54 - westbaystars: Takahashi hit a two run shot in the first to start the scoring, then a solo shot following Rhodes in the sixth.
20:55 - westbaystars: Nibe is in the hold one strike, three balls to Takahashi.
20:55 - westbaystars: The next pitch is way outside, ball four.
20:56 - westbaystars: That brings Kitabeppu-pitching coach out to the mound.
20:57 - westbaystars: The 24 year old shakes his head in agreement, and the retired Carp pitching great returns to the dugout.
20:57 - westbaystars: Kokubo comes up to bat.
20:57 - westbaystars: Kokubo lifts a high fly to center.
20:57 - westbaystars: LaRocca goes out, Ogata comes in, and Ogata makes the catch.
20:57 - westbaystars: Two down, runners still at first and second.
20:58 - westbaystars: That brings up Petagine, who homered to lead off the second inning, tying the game at 3-3 at the time.
20:58 - habs: How's the field looking with the rain?
20:58 - westbaystars: Peta-chan takes two quick strikes.
20:58 - westbaystars: Muddy!
20:59 - westbaystars: The entire infield at Hiroshima Shimin Kyujyo is dirt. There's not grass or artificial serface at Hiroshima.
21:00 - westbaystars: Petagine swings at an outside slider, pulls the ball to LaRocca at second.
21:00 - westbaystars: LaRocca throws to first to retire the side.
21:00 - westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the seventh, the Giants continue to lead 7-3.
21:00 - westbaystars: ---
21:00 - westbaystars: Bottom of Seventh
21:00 - westbaystars: ---
21:01 - westbaystars: Kisanuki comes in to pitch for the Giants.
21:02 - westbaystars: He's been only used as a starter so far, this is his first appearance in relief.
21:03 - westbaystars: Sheets leads off against the usual starter.
21:04 - westbaystars: Sheets goes down swinging on a pitch on the inside corner.
21:04 - westbaystars: One out.
21:04 - westbaystars: And the rain is getting even harder.
21:04 - westbaystars: Maeda come up to bat.
21:05 - westbaystars: No relation to the Giants' relief pitcher.
21:05 - westbaystars: Maeda lines the ball off the end of the bat the other way to left.
21:05 - westbaystars: The ball lands well within fair territory.
21:06 - westbaystars: But Maeda must be playing it safe with the mud as he holds to a single.
21:06 - westbaystars: That brings up Kurihara.
21:06 - westbaystars: Kurihara lifts a high fly to right.
21:06 - westbaystars: Takahashi comes in, camps a while, and brings the ball in for out number two.
21:07 - westbaystars: Arai comes up next.
21:08 - westbaystars: Arai hit a home run in yesterday's contest.
21:08 - westbaystars: Arai hits the ball deep to center.
21:09 - westbaystars: Rhodes goes back, to the warning track,
21:09 - westbaystars: and takes the ball in.
21:09 - westbaystars: That retires the side for Hiroshima.
21:09 - westbaystars: At the end of seven complete, the Giants continue to lead 7-3.
21:09 - westbaystars: ---
21:09 - westbaystars: Top of Eighth
21:09 - westbaystars: ---
21:11 - westbaystars: Nibe remains on the mound for Hiroshima.
21:11 - westbaystars: The first batter he faces is Shimizu.
21:12 - habs: Still raining?
21:12 - westbaystars: The stands, which were full up until the sixth inning, have emptied quite a bit.
21:12 - westbaystars: Still heavy rain, although not the heaviest of the evening.
21:12 - westbaystars: Shimizu draws a walk to put the lead-off runner on.
21:13 - westbaystars: And Horiuchi-kantoku calls him bakck to the dugout for pinch runner Ide.
21:13 - westbaystars: I don't think anyone's going to be running in this weather.
21:14 - westbaystars: With Oda at bat, Kisanuki gets ready to bat for himself, taking some advise from Horiuchi-kantoku.
21:14 - habs: Surprise they are trying to finish the game.
21:14 - westbaystars: Oda goes down swinging, reaching for a pitch way low and outside.
21:14 - westbaystars: That's the first out of the inning.
21:15 - westbaystars: Kisanuki lays down a bunt on the first pitch, and Ide moves to second on the sacrifice.
21:16 - westbaystars: I'd want to finish the game if I could.
21:16 - westbaystars: Especially if I was behind.
21:16 - westbaystars: Top of the order in Nishi up to bat.
21:17 - westbaystars: Nishi lifts a high fly to right.
21:17 - westbaystars: Shima goes back, to the warning track, turns,
21:17 - westbaystars: and watches it go just barely over the fense.
21:17 - westbaystars: Home run.
21:17 - westbaystars: The Giants take a 9-3 lead.
21:18 - westbaystars: Nioka fails to check his swing, and is called out on strikes.
21:18 - Allen: And the stands just got a little emptier
21:19 - westbaystars: But not before Nishi increased to the Giants' lead to six runs.
21:19 - westbaystars: Hiroshima is down to two wet at bats.
21:19 - westbaystars: ---
21:20 - westbaystars: Bottom of Eighth
21:20 - westbaystars: ---
21:22 - westbaystars: While at commercial, we got a lead-off base hit.
21:23 - westbaystars: It was Higashide, as a pinch hitter.
21:24 - westbaystars: Another pinch hitter, flies to right.
21:24 - westbaystars: Can you tell that the TV broadcast has finished?
21:25 - westbaystars: It was Morikasa.
21:25 - westbaystars: And we're back to the top of the order in Ogata.
21:26 - westbaystars: Kisanuki is still on the mound for the Giants.
21:26 - westbaystars: Ogata grounds the ball to Nishi at second, who throws to Nioka at second for one, and the relay to first is in time.
21:26 - Allen: No. I wouldn't have noticed - Your doing a great job.
21:27 - westbaystars: The Carp are now down to their final three outs.
21:27 - westbaystars: It takes a lot more concentration to call it from the radio than TV.
21:27 - westbaystars: At the end of eight complete, the Giants lead 9-3.
21:28 - westbaystars: ---
21:28 - westbaystars: To of Nineth
21:28 - westbaystars: ---
21:28 - Allen: What's up with the TV broadcast? Why can't they finish out the game?
21:29 - westbaystars: They only broadcast from 7:00 to 9:24. I still don't understand the reasoning behind that.
21:29 - westbaystars: They started at 6:30 this evening, but then showed nothing but commercials for the first 10 minutes,
21:29 - westbaystars: ... with short 30 second shots of the action.
21:30 - westbaystars: Rhodes leads off against new pitcher Tamaki.
21:30 - westbaystars: Kimura Kazuyoshi comes in to catch.
21:31 - Allen: Is this a national broadcast or one of the teams broadcast?
21:31 - westbaystars: Asahi's national network.
21:31 - westbaystars: The count goes full on Rhodes.
21:32 - westbaystars: Rhodes strikes out swinging, one out.
21:32 - westbaystars: And the rain has stopped yet again.
21:32 - westbaystars: Takahashi, with two home runs on the night, stands in.
21:34 - westbaystars: Welcome back CardiffCarp. Not good news.
21:34 - westbaystars: Takahashi-kun draws a walk for a one out base runner.
21:35 - westbaystars: Kokubo comes up next.
21:35 - CardiffCarp: No - just as well I went out
21:35 - CardiffCarp: Was it a deliberate walk?
21:35 - westbaystars: Kokubo grounds the ball to Sheets at short, shovels to LaRocca for one,
21:36 - westbaystars: and the relay to first is in time to retire the side.
21:36 - westbaystars: That brings us to the Carp's last chance.
21:36 - CardiffCarp: Well - Carp scored a few in the 9th 2 games ago - was it 5?
21:37 - CardiffCarp: So only need one more to take it to extra innings
21:37 - westbaystars: So true. And I saw the BayStars give up 9 last weekend in the eighth inning.
21:37 - westbaystars: ---
21:37 - westbaystars: Bottom of Nineth
21:37 - westbaystars: ---
21:38 - westbaystars: Shima leads off the Carp last chance.
21:38 - westbaystars: Kisanuki remains on the mound for Hiroshima.
21:38 - CardiffCarp: Giants
21:38 - westbaystars: Shima lines the ball over the first baseman and into right field.
21:39 - westbaystars: That makes Shima 3 for 3 on the evening.
21:39 - westbaystars: --- Right, for the Giants.
21:39 - westbaystars: LaRocca follows.
21:39 - Allen: Nice start
21:39 - CardiffCarp: Amazing - I was in Hiroshima when he was drafted as a pitcher
21:40 - CardiffCarp: Sanshin
21:40 - westbaystars: LaRocca lifts the ball to center, Rhodes gets over and sets up quickly,
21:40 - westbaystars: and makes the out. One down.
21:40 - CardiffCarp: sorry - fly
21:40 - westbaystars: That brings up Sheets.
21:41 - westbaystars: Listening on RCC? Wife out?
21:41 - westbaystars:
21:41 - CardiffCarp: Yes - listening
21:42 - CardiffCarp: but wife about to find out!
21:42 - CardiffCarp: Can I make it to the end? Still, doing better than tv broadcaster
21:42 - westbaystars: We have full count to Sheets.
21:42 - westbaystars: Back, back, haittaaaa!
21:43 - CardiffCarp: Home run!!!!!!!!!
21:43 - westbaystars: Sheets hits a two run home run to right-center.
21:43 - CardiffCarp: 4 more to go
21:43 - westbaystars: That brings us to within four runs.
21:43 - westbaystars: The announcer is crediting this home run to the wind, like the home run last inning.
21:43 - CardiffCarp: Sheets doing well at the moment
21:44 - Allen: High five here. Got the rally caps on?
21:44 - westbaystars: That brings up Maeda.
21:44 - westbaystars: Maeda lifts the ball deep, but within range for Rhodes.
21:44 - westbaystars: It sounds like Rhodes has been shifted to left field.
21:45 - westbaystars: Where ever he is, he takes in the second out of the inning.
21:45 - westbaystars: Hiroshima is down to their final out.
21:45 - westbaystars: Kurihara at the plate.
21:45 - CardiffCarp: Playing left field
21:46 - CardiffCarp: Being called for luch - hate to leave a game early but....
21:46 - CardiffCarp: Thanks - this has been fun
21:46 - westbaystars: Kurihara fouls off a couple to keep the count at two strikes, one ball.
21:46 - westbaystars: The sixth pitch is lifted to right.
21:46 - westbaystars: Takahashi has it in his sights.
21:46 - westbaystars: He takes the ball in.
21:47 - westbaystars: And the game is over.
21:47 - westbaystars: The Giants take the game 9-5.
21:48 - westbaystars: ****
21:49 - westbaystars: Habs-san, I've been watching for a Walker report, but I think he's been dropped to 2-gun.
21:49 - westbaystars: I hadn't seen any mention of him pitching this past week.
21:49 - Allen: Michael, thanks again for the words-eye view. I felt like I was there - down to the last raindrop
21:49 - westbaystars: Wish I had something better to report.
21:50 - westbaystars: It's good to have a couple of new names here.
21:50 - westbaystars: Hope to see you again in a couple of weeks.
21:50 - westbaystars: I take it that you read that I'm taking next week off for matsuri.
21:51 - habs: I read that in your article.
21:51 - Allen: Actually, I've been here before. It's just hard to get up at 2:00 AM from Fullerton California
21:51 - habs: What is a matsuri?
21:52 - westbaystars: "Matsuri" means "festival."
21:53 - westbaystars: We carry a heavy shrine around the neighborhood, stopping from time to time to eat and drink.
21:53 - westbaystars: We have a number of festivities planned the first day other than the shrine carrying, but that's the main part.
21:54 - habs: I see you and Allen were talking about the Mergers
21:54 - westbaystars: For example, the elementary school kids (my daughter included) will put on a dance.
21:54 - westbaystars: Yea, for a little bit.
21:55 - westbaystars: I'm still not sure what will happen. Kintetsu is trying to ignore this guy who wants to buy the team.
21:55 - westbaystars: It's very strange, considering that he's giving them a better offer than what Orix is.
21:56 - habs: Sounds like it is a fun day hope the weather is good for you next week.
21:56 - Allen: I hope there are no mergers. If anything, the league needs to expand.
21:56 - westbaystars: It's been off and on rain the past several years. Kind of like this game at times.
21:57 - westbaystars: I'd like to see it expand to Korea and Taiwan.
21:57 - westbaystars: But I've been thinking that my proposal, while possible for Japanese teams, may be out of the others' price range.
21:57 - Allen: Has there been any talks about possibly combining with the Korean League for instance?
21:58 - westbaystars: For example, a plane ticket to Hokkaido from Tokyo can cost more than one to Pussan (sp?), Korea.
21:58 - habs: Surprise they don't expand but money talks.
21:58 - westbaystars: But what about the other way around? I'm not sure, and admit that I haven't investigated that far.
21:59 - westbaystars: Lotte's owner mentioned it, but I don't think Watanabe-owner ever heard it.
21:59 - westbaystars: Lotte has some very good ties with Korea, and the owner (or his son) went to Korea soon after the merger talks started.
22:00 - westbaystars: But I never read anything that may have come from possible talks with KBO teams.
22:00 - westbaystars: I was kind of assuming that that's what the trip to Korea was for. But it may have been a pre-arrange business trip.
22:01 - westbaystars: There are a lot of troubles with the ways that the teams are handling their baseball businesses.
22:02 - Allen: How does the Japanese Olympic team look? How many from the Japanese Pro Leagues?
22:02 - westbaystars: The Giants and Carp (and possibly Lions) are the only teams that strive for profitability.
22:02 - westbaystars: Oddly enough, they're the Giants and Carp are at extream ends of the financial spectrum.
22:03 - westbaystars: The Olympic team is taking two professional player from each team.
22:03 - westbaystars: Four from the Lions when you count the two Taiwanese pitchers.
22:03 - westbaystars: I don't think it's a "Dream Team," though.
22:04 - Allen: You probably heard that the US will not have a team there. We got eliminated by Mexico in the qualifying game.
22:05 - westbaystars: Personally, I'm not a fan for professionals in the Olympics.
22:05 - westbaystars: I did hear that, now that you mention it. But I don't think I believed it.
22:07 - habs: Having professinals on the teams does take away from the excitment.
22:08 - westbaystars: I don't know why, but my impression of the Olympics was that it was a showcase for *future* stars.
22:08 - Allen: I've been tossing around pro vs. amateur for a long time. I think that I enjoy seeing potentially the best athletes
22:09 - Allen: But, it certainly takes away from the true spirit of the games.
22:09 - westbaystars: I'm willing to accept pros, if there were some sort of age limit.
22:09 - westbaystars: Not the super-stars, but future stars. I don't think I can explain it better than that.
22:11 - westbaystars: It's like the whole World Cup idea. I'm not too much for it.
22:11 - westbaystars: I'd rather see a real World Series. A team, not a Dream Team.
22:12 - Allen: I'm with you. The best teams from all pro leagues in a tournament. That would be fun.
22:13 - westbaystars: One would think that professional leagues could arrange something like that.
22:13 - westbaystars: Why, then, do they have to showcase in the Olympics?
22:15 - habs: It would be cold in New York or Boston at the end of the season.
22:15 - Allen: Baseball has been on the border of being knocked out of the Olympics.
22:15 - westbaystars: Very good point.
22:15 - Allen: A world tournament would make the Olympic tournament obsolete
22:17 - westbaystars: So would baseball being kicked out of the Olypics create a push for a world tournament?
22:17 - habs: Maybe in my son's lifetime he'll see a world tournament.
22:18 - westbaystars: I hope so.
22:19 - Allen: I think it would work the other way around. A world tournament would probably spell the end of baseball in the Olympics
22:19 - Allen: Since they were going in that direction to begin with
22:21 - Allen: They shoul probably hold the tournament in a domed stadium or retractable roof like Tokyo Dome or Seattle's Safeco Field
22:21 - habs: No Mcstevie this week.
22:22 - westbaystars: Another four years? 10 years? I've been hearing about the Majors entering World Cup baseball for years,
22:22 - westbaystars: ... without results.
22:22 - westbaystars: Looks like he's off this week. Aren't universities out on summer vacation about now?
22:23 - habs: You're right they are off.
22:24 - habs: I'm confused went to my son's college yesterday for his testing.
22:27 - westbaystars: Then it's finals time? Mcstevie broadcasts to the student radio station.
22:27 - westbaystars: The semester ending is just one possiblity.
22:27 - westbaystars: He'd mentioned a lot of technical problems there in the past.
22:27 - Allen: I must leave now. Thanks again, Michael. I really enjoyed tuning in. Great job as always.
22:28 - westbaystars: And with the IE scare (even the Homeland Security Department says "Don't use IE"), they may not be allowed to use the
22:28 - westbaystars: ... Internet until an alternate browser is installed or their systems are fully patched.
22:28 - westbaystars: Thanks for coming. Hope to see you again in a couple of weeks.
22:29 - habs: Well I'll hit the road to. Have fun next wek and see you in a couple.
22:30 - westbaystars: See you then. Take care.
22:30 - habs: You did another good job.
About
This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
It is my sincere hope that once you learn a bit about what we're about here that you will join the community of contributors.
Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
Copyright (c) 1995-2024 JapaneseBaseball.com.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Some rights reserved.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Some rights reserved.
Note: I won't be bringing you a Game of the Week next week (July 11). Nojima is having its annual matsuri next Saturday and Sunday which I participate in, and if past years are any indication, I doubt that I'll be awake beyond 9:00. Those shrines they carry around town on their shoulders look light, but they're made of very heavy wood.