Pacific League Playoffs: Second Stage, Game 4
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Pacific League Playoffs: Second Stage, Game 4
Seibu is now up two games to one. Tonight may be the end for Daiei, or will they force it to five games? Tune in here near game time at 6:00 pm JST. Hope to see you then.
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Re: Pacific League Playoffs: Second Stage, Game 4
[ Author: westbaystars | Posted: Oct 10, 2004 9:44 PM
| YBS Fan
]
Both pitchers threw well, one lasted an inning longer. And the spoiler? Well, I look forward to seeing you all again tomorrow.
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2004/10/10 21:36
CHATROOM Pacific League Playoffs: Second Stage Game 4/Seibu Lions vs. Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
MODERATORS westbaystars
18:01 westbaystars: ---
18:01 westbaystars: --- Top of First
18:01 westbaystars: ---
18:02 westbaystars: Kurano on the mound for Daiei.
18:02 westbaystars: His first pitch to Seibu's lead-off batter Satoh is high.
18:03 westbaystars: Satoh takes a two strike, one ball pitch to right.
18:03 westbaystars: But right to the right fielder for the first out.
18:04 westbaystars: That brings up Akada.
18:04 westbaystars: Akada grounds out to Matsunaka at first who takes the ball to the bag himself for out number two.
18:05 westbaystars: That's Deguchi in right for Daiei this evening.
18:05 westbaystars: Next up is the man who's been Seibu's hero against Daiei, Fernandez.
18:06 westbaystars: Fernandez lifts a high ball to the infield.
18:06 westbaystars: Iguchi calls the ball, and makes the catch just behind the mound.
18:07 westbaystars: Three up, three down.
18:07 westbaystars: ---
18:07 westbaystars: --- Bottom of First
18:07 westbaystars: ---
18:08 westbaystars: Hoashi, who threw six no-hit innings against the Fighters in Stage One, starts for Seibut.
18:09 westbaystars: He faces Deguchi to lead off for Daiei, scrambling their order for this daijina game.
18:09 westbaystars: His first pitch catches the inside corner and is taken for strike one.
18:09 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded to second.
18:09 westbaystars: Takagi fields it and throws him out.
18:09 westbaystars: That brings up Shibahara.
18:10 westbaystars: He watches a slow curve go by for strike one.
18:10 westbaystars: Verses Hoashi on the season, Shibahara was 3 for 6 (.500).
18:11 westbaystars: After another slow curve for a strike, Hoashi misses inside for ball one.
18:11 westbaystars: The next pitch is way up and away, the count goes even at 2-2.
18:12 westbaystars: Shibahara gets a piece of the next pitch, fouling it off.
18:12 westbaystars: Then he grounds out to Fernandez at third. Two down.
18:13 westbaystars: The count to Iguchi goes to two and two.
18:14 westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch is lifted to shallow right-center.
18:14 westbaystars: Akada comes in, but it's Satoh who comes over and makes the catch.
18:14 westbaystars: Both sides are retired in order in the first, naughting the score at 0-0 after one.
18:14 westbaystars: ---
18:15 westbaystars: --- Top of Second
18:15 westbaystars: ---
18:16 westbaystars: Alex Cabrera leads off for the Lions' second.
18:18 westbaystars: Cabrera watches strike three go by, over the middle of the plate and up in the zone.
18:18 westbaystars: Cabu thought it was a little high, but returns to the third base dugout without a word.
18:19 westbaystars: Wada follows lifting the first pitch to shallow left.
18:19 westbaystars: Iguchi back peddals a bit, calling the ball.
18:19 westbaystars: And makes the catch.
18:19 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
18:19 westbaystars: Kaizuka comes up, still looking for his first hit in Stage Two.
18:20 westbaystars: He pulls the ball to right, fair!
18:20 westbaystars: Kaizuka breaks his 0 for 8 streak in the Second Stage and has the first hit of the ball game.
18:21 westbaystars: Wasn't it last Sunday that he was so vital to Seibu's coming to Fukuoka?
18:21 westbaystars: Nakajima comes up next.
18:22 westbaystars: Nakajima is handcuffed, and slaps the ball the other way to right.
18:22 westbaystars: The ball reaches Deguchi on one bound.
18:23 westbaystars: While Deguchi is fielding the ball, Kaizuka kicks second and heads for third.
18:23 westbaystars: The throw to third is to Torigoe on one bound.
18:23 westbaystars: The tag! He's out!
18:23 westbaystars: This kills the Lions' rally.
18:24 westbaystars: They manage two hits, but strand only one.
18:24 westbaystars: ---
18:24 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Second
18:24 westbaystars: ---
18:24 westbaystars: Matsunaka, 1 for 11 in Stage II, leads off for the Hawks.
18:25 westbaystars: He's swinging at the first pitch, lifting it high to left.
18:25 westbaystars: It's higher than deep, and Akada comes in a few steps to make the catch.
18:25 westbaystars: One pitch, one out.
18:25 westbaystars: That'll bring up Johjima.
18:26 westbaystars: Johjima pulls the ball up the third base line, just in the line!
18:26 westbaystars: Wada plays the ball in the corner and throws to second.
18:27 westbaystars: The throw to second on a bound, Johjima sliding in, he's touched out!
18:27 westbaystars: The Hawks' first hit of the game is quickly erased at second base.
18:27 westbaystars: That brings up Zuleta.
18:28 westbaystars: Zuleta is 2 for 11 (.182) in the Series so far.
18:28 westbaystars: With the count even at 2-2 with two outs, Zuleta takes low and in, ball three.
18:28 westbaystars: The count is full.
18:29 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch by Hoashi is lined through the left side and into left field.
18:29 westbaystars: Base hit!
18:29 westbaystars: Zuleta holds at first with a single.
18:29 westbaystars: Valdez follows.
18:31 westbaystars: Hoashi works the count even to 2-2.
18:31 westbaystars: The next pitch is way outside, full count.
18:32 westbaystars: With Zuleta running, Valdez fouls one off to the left side.
18:32 westbaystars: We do it again.
18:32 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is grounded to Nakajima at short.
18:32 westbaystars: The throw to first is in time, and the Hawks are down.
18:33 westbaystars: At the end of two completle, the game remains tied at 0-0.
18:33 westbaystars: ---
18:33 westbaystars: --- Top of Third
18:33 westbaystars: ---
18:36 westbaystars: Hosokawa leads off for the Lions this inning.
18:36 westbaystars: And he goes down swinging at a slider outside and low.
18:36 westbaystars: One out.
18:37 westbaystars: Number nine batter Takagi follows.
18:38 westbaystars: Takagi grounds the ball back up the middle.
18:38 westbaystars: But Kawasaki fields the ball almost on the second base bag, and throws him out at first.
18:38 westbaystars: Two away.
18:38 westbaystars: That brings up the top of the Lions' order in Satoh.
18:39 westbaystars: Kurano gets ahead of Satoh quickly with two quick strikes.
18:40 westbaystars: Satoh grounds the ball to the gap on the right side.
18:40 westbaystars: Matsunaka takes two steps toward second, dives, and smothers the ball.
18:40 westbaystars: He picks up the ball, and still lying on his front, throws the ball to Kurano covering.
18:41 westbaystars: *Just* in time to get the speedy Satoh!
18:41 westbaystars: Incredible play!
18:41 westbaystars: That should get the Hawks inspired!
18:41 westbaystars: The Lions go down in order for the second time this evening.
18:41 westbaystars: ---
18:42 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Third
18:42 westbaystars: ---
18:42 westbaystars: Torigoe, batting number eight in the order this evening, leads off the Hawks half of the third.
18:43 westbaystars: And he promptly grounds the ball back up the middle, past Hoashi's stabbing glove, and into center field.
18:43 westbaystars: Lead-off base hit!
18:43 westbaystars: That brings up Kawasaki, 0 for 8 so far in Stage II.
18:43 westbaystars: He immediately squares to bunt, and Hoashi throws to first.
18:44 westbaystars: The first pitch to the plate sees Kawasaki pull the ball back from bunt position to swing, but takes ball one outside.
18:44 westbaystars: The second pitch, with Kawasaki looking to hit, squares to bunt and bunts it foul on the third base side.
18:45 westbaystars: Kawasaki fakes bunt again, pulls the ball back, and grounds the ball up the middle.
18:45 westbaystars: Nakajima fields the ball right on the second base bag for one, the throw to first is in time, but...
18:45 westbaystars: ... Cabrera drops it!
18:46 westbaystars: Safe at first!
18:46 westbaystars: That brings up the top of the Hawk order in Deguchi.
18:47 westbaystars: Good evening again, Liono-san.
18:47 Liono: Hi
18:48 Liono: good morning for me!
18:48 westbaystars: Score is currently scoreless (0-0) in the bottom of the third.
18:48 westbaystars: Deguchi lifts a high fly to right.
18:48 westbaystars: Satoh comes in, and makes the catch for out number two.
18:48 Liono: hows the game?
18:49 westbaystars: Kawasaki is still at first.
18:49 westbaystars: Shibahara stands in.
18:49 westbaystars: Fast paced and scoreless.
18:49 westbaystars: Shibahara lines the ball to right over Takagi's head.
18:50 westbaystars: The ball bounces in. Base hit.
18:50 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with two outs and Iguchi at the plate.
18:50 westbaystars: Iguchi has two home runs so far this series.
18:51 westbaystars: Hoashi is throwing his palm for strikes against Iguchi, getting ahead two strikes, one ball.
18:52 westbaystars: The fourth pitch misses low, two and two.
18:52 westbaystars: The next pitch is in the dirt, but swung on and missed!
18:52 westbaystars: Hosokawa, behind the plate tonight, touches Iguchi out, and the side is retired.
18:53 westbaystars: At the end of three complete, there is still no score.
18:53 westbaystars: ---
18:53 westbaystars: --- Top of Fourth
18:53 westbaystars: ---
18:55 westbaystars: Akada leads off the fourth inning for Seibu.
18:56 westbaystars: He hits a high one bounder to the right side.
18:56 westbaystars: Iguchi rushes in, and waits for the ball to come down.
18:56 westbaystars: He throws to first as fast as he can, and *just* gets Akada by half a step.
18:56 westbaystars: One out.
18:56 westbaystars: That brings up the heart of the Lions' order.
18:57 westbaystars: Fernandez.
18:57 westbaystars: Kurano managed to get him to pop out to second in the first.
18:57 westbaystars: The third pitch is lifted deep to right.
18:58 westbaystars: But not deep enough.
18:58 westbaystars: Deguchi goes back, over toward the line, then in a step and makes the catch.
18:58 westbaystars: Two down.
18:58 westbaystars: That brings up Cabrera who struck out his first at bat.
18:58 westbaystars: He's swinging at the first pitch.
18:59 westbaystars: It's going, going, Deguchi is on the warning track and coming toward the line.
18:59 westbaystars: Deguchi jumps, and makes the catch at that huge wall.
18:59 westbaystars: A long out, but an out nonetheless.
18:59 westbaystars: The Lions are retired in order again.
18:59 westbaystars: ---
18:59 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fourth
18:59 westbaystars: ---
19:01 westbaystars: Matsunaka leads off the Daiei half of the fourth.
19:01 westbaystars: He's 1 for 11 (.083) agains Seibu in this series.
19:02 MHtrStevie: Ohayo gozaimasu, minna-san!
19:02 westbaystars: Ohayo.
19:03 westbaystars: Matsunaka makes it 1 for 12 as he grounds out to Nakajima near the second base bag.
19:03 westbaystars: One out.
19:03 westbaystars: The game is scoreless in the bottom of the fourth, for those of you just joining us.
19:03 westbaystars: It's a fast paced game.
19:04 westbaystars: Hoashi is on the mound for Seibu.
19:04 westbaystars: Johjima stands in for Daiei.
19:04 westbaystars: Johjima lines the ball to the right-center gap.
19:05 westbaystars: He wisely holds at first as Akada fields the ball and returns it.
19:05 westbaystars: He was thrown out in the second trying to streatch a single into a double with a hit up the left field line.
19:05 westbaystars: The bounce out of the corner killed him, helping Wada get the ball quicker than expected.
19:05 westbaystars: It was still close at second.
19:06 westbaystars: Nonetheless, with a runner at first and one out, Zuleta comes up.
19:07 westbaystars: Umpire says that Zuleta swung, confusing Zuleta a great deal as strike two is shown on the score board.
19:07 westbaystars: The next pitch is in the dirt, evening the count at two, two.
19:08 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is taken high and tight, full count.
19:09 westbaystars: With Johjima running, the sixth pitch is fouled off Zuleta's left foot.
19:09 westbaystars: The next pitch hits Zuleta's back (right) foot.
19:10 westbaystars: Zuleta checks his swing like he did when he was called for strike two, but he's awarded first base nonetheless.
19:10 westbaystars: Runners now at first and second with Valdez coming to the plate and one out.
19:11 westbaystars: Left handed Hoashi vs. left handed Valdez.
19:11 westbaystars: The first pitch is a slow curve pulled foul for strike one.
19:12 westbaystars: The second pitch, with Hosokawa setup outside, is low and away, one and one.
19:12 westbaystars: Hoashi's third pitch is fouled off to the left side.
19:13 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is pulled through the gap on the right side of the infield and into right field.
19:13 westbaystars: Base hit!
19:13 westbaystars: Johjima rounds third, but is held up the by third base coach.
19:14 westbaystars: Bases loaded with one out.
19:14 westbaystars: Number eight batting Torigoe comes up to bat.
19:14 westbaystars: The infield comes in to make the play to the plate.
19:14 westbaystars: Torigoe got a base hit his first at bat this evening.
19:15 westbaystars: The second pitch is grounded through the left side of the infield!
19:15 westbaystars: Johjima comes in and scores the first run of the game!
19:15 westbaystars: The Hawks hold with one as Wada is up with the ball quickly.
19:15 westbaystars: Araki-pitching coach heads out to the mound.
19:16 westbaystars: And before I can type that, he's heading back to the dugout.
19:16 westbaystars: He really doesn't tend to spend much time out there.
19:16 westbaystars: Kawasaki follows, having fallen from the number one to number nine in the order.
19:17 westbaystars: He grounds the first pitch up the middle, over Hoashi!
19:17 westbaystars: Takagi fields the ball behind second base, throws home!
19:17 westbaystars: Safe!
19:17 westbaystars: There isn't a play anywhere else.
19:17 westbaystars: And it looks like Hosokawa is hurt at home.
19:18 westbaystars: He's limping off the field with his arm around the trainer.
19:18 westbaystars: Pulled a muscle?
19:18 westbaystars: He wasn't hurt blocking, as the runner was in before the throw reached him.
19:19 westbaystars: Noda is out in his gear, and takes a couple of pitches.
19:19 westbaystars: Noda gives Hoashi a couple of words and takes the spot behind home plate.
19:19 westbaystars: That brings us to the top of the order in Deguchi.
19:20 westbaystars: With the bases still loaded, one out, and two runs in so far.
19:21 westbaystars: The third pitch to Deguchi is grounded through the left side, base hit!
19:21 westbaystars: Zuleta comes in to score the Hawks' third run of the inning.
19:22 westbaystars: After four base hits in a row (Kawasaki's was ruled an infield hit as Takagi didn't have a play at first),
19:22 westbaystars: Hoashi is retired.
19:22 westbaystars: Mori comes in to pitch for tthe Lions.
19:24 westbaystars: With the bases loaded and one out, Mori will face Shibahara.
19:25 westbaystars: Shibahara now stands in.
19:26 westbaystars: Shibahara is swinging at the first pitch.
19:26 westbaystars: And he lifts the ball high to shallow center.
19:26 westbaystars: Akada rushes in, and makes the catch, still on a dead run.
19:27 westbaystars: Nakajima would normally get that one, but he was playing too far in.
19:27 westbaystars: That's the second out, with the bases still loaded.
19:27 westbaystars: Iguchi comes up to bat.
19:28 westbaystars: After two quick strikes, S. Mori just misses inside for ball one.
19:29 westbaystars: Iguchi swings at a high pitch, it's going deep to center!
19:29 westbaystars: Akada is running at a dead run toward the wall!
19:29 westbaystars: Akada turns in front of the center field wall, jumps, and makes the catch!
19:30 westbaystars: The third out was a long one, but as good as a ground out.
19:30 MHtrStevie: Nice play!
19:30 westbaystars: The Hawks strand the bases loaded.
19:30 westbaystars: But not before four consecutive base hits drive in three runs.
19:30 westbaystars: At the end of four complete inning, Daiei takes a 3-0 lead.
19:31 westbaystars: ---
19:31 westbaystars: --- Top of Fifth
19:31 westbaystars: ---
19:31 westbaystars: Akada had a long way to run to get to the ball.
19:31 westbaystars: And it's never easy to jump *at* the wall.
19:31 westbaystars: Wada leads off the fifth against Kurano.
19:32 westbaystars: He takes just outside, ball one.
19:32 westbaystars: The second pitch is a line drive to the left-center gap.
19:32 westbaystars: The ball hits in, and one bounds to the wall.
19:32 westbaystars: Shibahara plays the ball off the wall and fires to second.
19:33 westbaystars: The ball is relayed there, too late. Wada is safe slidingin into second before the tag.
19:33 westbaystars: Lead-off double.
19:33 westbaystars: Kaizuka follows with a high fly to left.
19:33 westbaystars: Valdez takes the ball in for out number one.
19:33 westbaystars: That brings up Nakajima.
19:34 westbaystars: Nakajima lines a 1-1 pitch to right.
19:35 westbaystars: Deguchi catches the ball and fires to third.
19:35 westbaystars: Wada touched up, started, decided to stay at second, and saw a ...
19:35 westbaystars: ... lazer beam throw to third that would have had him.
19:35 westbaystars: Wise decision to stay.
19:36 westbaystars: Noda, in his first at bat this game, lines out to Deguchi in right to end the inning.
19:36 westbaystars: The Lions got their third runner as far as second, but have yet to get one safely to third.
19:36 westbaystars: They continue to trail 0-3.
19:36 westbaystars: ---
19:36 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fifth
19:36 westbaystars: ---
19:37 westbaystars: Matsunaka leads off for the Hawks.
19:38 westbaystars: He's 1 for 13 (.077) in the Series so far, his one his a home run.
19:38 westbaystars: Matsunaka has made a couple of great plays in the field, but has yet to show his Triple Crown bat.
19:39 westbaystars: After taking two balls, he takes strike on called on the inside corner, disagreeing with the call.
19:40 westbaystars: The next pitch he's unable to hold up, and the count goes even to two and two.
19:40 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is low, full count.
19:41 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is grounded to Kaizuka at first again tonight.
19:41 westbaystars: Kaizuka takes the ball to the bag himself, and we have one out.
19:41 westbaystars: Johjima comes up next, raising his average this Series to .500 with two hits so far in the game.
19:42 westbaystars: He's also 2 for 2 with 2 walks against Mori during the season.
19:42 westbaystars: He's swinging for the fenses here, bringing the count even to 1 and 1.
19:42 westbaystars: The next pitch is swung on more relaxed, but missed just as well.
19:42 westbaystars: Strike two.
19:43 westbaystars: Mori's fourth pitch is low, but the first base umpire says he swung for strike three.
19:43 westbaystars: Johjima stands there in the batter's box for another five to ten second glaring at the first base umpire.
19:43 westbaystars: He finally heads to the dugout, and Zuleta stands in.
19:45 westbaystars: The count goes to two and two against Zuleta.
19:45 westbaystars: The announcers comment that Zuleta is slimmer than he was last year.
19:45 westbaystars: Zuleta foul tips the ball under Noda to stay alive.
19:46 westbaystars: The sixth pitch, a fork, is swung on and missed, strike three.
19:46 westbaystars: The Hawks go down in order.
19:46 westbaystars: At the end of six complete, the score remains Seibu 0 - 3 Daiei.
19:47 westbaystars: Sorry, that should be, the end of five complete.
19:47 westbaystars: ---
19:47 westbaystars: --- Top of Sixth
19:47 westbaystars: ---
19:48 westbaystars: Number nine batting Takagi leads off the sixth for the Lions.
19:49 westbaystars: Through five innings, Kurano has thrown 50 pitches. struck out two, and allowed three hits.
19:49 westbaystars: He hasn't allows any walks or runs.
19:49 westbaystars: He's throwing at a very good pace.
19:51 westbaystars: The count to Takagi is quickly brough even to two and two.
19:52 westbaystars: After fouling one off, Takagi works the count full.
19:52 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is fouled off to the right side.
19:53 westbaystars: The eight pitch is low, but swung on and missed! Strike three.
19:54 westbaystars: Takagi battled well.
19:54 westbaystars: Next up is the top of the Lions' order in Satoh, 0 for 2 so far tonight.
19:55 westbaystars: After a strike, Kurano misses outside with two in a row, one strike, two balls.
19:55 westbaystars: The third pitch is lined to center, and it bounces in in front of Shibahara.
19:55 westbaystars: One out base hit.
19:55 westbaystars: That brings up Akada.
19:56 westbaystars: Akada is 5 for 14 (.357) with 1 RBI in this Stage so far.
19:57 westbaystars: Akada grounds the ball to Matsunaka at first.
19:57 westbaystars: Matsunaka elects to throw to second despite being right next to the first base bag.
19:57 westbaystars: He gets the force, but took too long to get the ball out of his glove for a double play.
19:57 westbaystars: That brings Fernandez up with a runner *not* in scoring position.
19:58 westbaystars: Fernandez hasn't figured out Kurano yet tonight.
19:59 westbaystars: To his credit, Fernandez doesn't swing at many bad pitches and works the count to one strike, three balls.
19:59 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is ripped past Seibu's third base coach fould.
19:59 westbaystars: ... foul.
20:00 westbaystars: The full count pitch as the clock passes 8:00 is grounded to Kawasaki at short.
20:00 westbaystars: Kawasaki throws to first, and the side is retired.
20:00 westbaystars: Kurano has done what the past two night of Hawk pitchers hadn't been able to do, ...
20:01 westbaystars: ... keep Fernandez off base and in the park.
20:01 westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the sixth, the Lions still trail 0-3.
20:01 westbaystars: ---
20:01 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Sixth
20:01 westbaystars: ---
20:02 MHtrStevie: Wow... Kurano's really pitching effectively!
20:02 westbaystars: He slowed down his pace this past inning. But otherwise, I'd been impressed with how quickly he's delivered.
20:03 westbaystars: Valdez leads off the Hawks' half of the sixth.
20:03 westbaystars: He takes strike one.
20:03 westbaystars: The second pitch from Mori is fouled off to the left side. Two quick strikes.
20:03 westbaystars: The next pitch is taken outside, ball one.
20:04 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is a fork way up high.
20:04 westbaystars: Valdes swings and misses it, though, for the first out of the inning.
20:04 westbaystars: That brings up Torigoe who has two hits on the night, the second one driving in the first run of the game.
20:05 westbaystars: He takes a slow curve for strike one. Looked kind of high to me.
20:05 westbaystars: The next pitch is swung on and missed, low and on the outside part of the plate, strike two.
20:06 westbaystars: Mori's third pitch misses outside, right at Noda's glove. Ball one.
20:06 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is fouled off to the right side. Still two strikes, one ball.
20:06 westbaystars: Torigoe fails to hold up on Mori's fifth pitch low and away, strike out.
20:07 westbaystars: Two K's in a row for Mori this inning.
20:07 westbaystars: That brings up number nine batting Kawasaki.
20:08 westbaystars: Kawasaki lines the ball to right.
20:08 westbaystars: Satoh takes a couple of steps, and gives up.
20:08 westbaystars: Haitaaaaaaaaaa!
20:08 westbaystars: Home run!
20:09 westbaystars: After failing to get a hit in the first three games of this series, Kawasaki has an RBI infield hit and ...
20:09 westbaystars: ... solo home run.
20:09 westbaystars: Daiei takes a 4-0 lead.
20:09 westbaystars: That brings up Deguchi, who singled in the Hawks' third run in the fourth.
20:10 westbaystars: The count goes even two and two to Deguchi.
20:10 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is a check swing grounded to Takagi at second.
20:11 westbaystars: That retires the side.
20:11 westbaystars: But not before the Hawks add one more with Kawasaki's solo home run.
20:11 westbaystars: His second hit of the Second Stage.
20:12 westbaystars: At the end of six complete, the Hawks now lead 4-0.
20:12 westbaystars: ---
20:12 westbaystars: --- Top of Seventh
20:12 westbaystars: ---
20:12 westbaystars: Obana-pitching coach and Oh-kantoku come out togetherr.
20:12 westbaystars: Obana takes the ball, and Oh-kantoku tells the home plate ump that Yamada is taking over on the mound.
20:13 westbaystars: Kurano threw 70 pitches in six innings, holding the Lions scoreless.
20:13 westbaystars: Yamada is 0 and 1 in four appearances against Seibu during the season with a 9.00 ERA.
20:14 westbaystars: Cabrera leads off for the Lions.
20:14 westbaystars: He's in as the DH again this evening, still not feeling 100%.
20:15 westbaystars: Cabrera makes a couple of big swings, missing both times, after Yamada's first pitch was a ball.
20:15 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is swung on and missed, strike three.
20:15 westbaystars: Yamada had Cabu-chan's timing all off.
20:16 westbaystars: One out.
20:16 westbaystars: Wada comes up next.
20:16 westbaystars: He hit a double his last at bat.
20:16 westbaystars: But got no furtherr than second base.
20:17 westbaystars: But he swings the bat and Valdez in left doesn't move.
20:17 westbaystars: The ball sails over his head and deep into the Lions' oen-dan in left.
20:17 westbaystars: Home run!
20:17 westbaystars: That cuts the Hawks lead to 4-1.
20:18 westbaystars: Kaizuka comes up next.
20:18 westbaystars: He got his first hit of the series his first at bat in the second.
20:18 westbaystars: It was his only hit in 10 tries so far.
20:19 westbaystars: Yamada goes two and two to Kaizuka, that fourth pitch looking pretty good, but called ball two.
20:19 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is well inside for ball three, bringing the count full.
20:20 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is lined deep to left-center.
20:20 westbaystars: Shibahara, running toward the warning track and left field make the catch over his shoulder.
20:20 westbaystars: Two outs.
20:20 westbaystars: That brings up Nakajima.
20:21 westbaystars: 3 for 13 so far this Stage.
20:21 westbaystars: Having troubles, Stevie?
20:22 westbaystars: Nakajima goes down fishing for a pitch out and away to retire the side.
20:22 westbaystars: But the Lions get their first run of the game with a big home run off the bat of Wada.
20:22 westbaystars: That makes the score Lions 1 - 4 Hawks going to the Hawks' Lucky Seven.
20:23 westbaystars: ---
20:23 MHtrStevie: Yeesh... don't know what happened there...
20:23 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Seventh
20:23 westbaystars: ---
20:23 westbaystars: *** Chunichi leads Yakult 9-4 in the 6th.
20:23 westbaystars: *** Hanshin leads the Giants 8-1 inthe 6th.
20:24 westbaystars: *** Hiroshima leads the 'Stars 1-0 in the 7th.
20:25 westbaystars: Yamazaki comes in to become the Lions' third pitcher of the evening.
20:26 westbaystars: The first batter Yamazaki faces is Shibahara.
20:26 westbaystars: And his first pitch is taken for ball one.
20:27 westbaystars: Wada's comment on his home run is that it isn't much, but he hopes that it gets something going.
20:27 westbaystars: The count goes full to Shibahara.
20:28 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is sent deep to left-center.
20:29 westbaystars: Wada goes back looking over his right shoulder, turns, backpeddals, and lunges to his right (now the opposite way) ...
20:29 westbaystars: ... and makes the catch.
20:29 westbaystars: Iguchi lifts the first pitch behind the plate, caught by Noda near the back net.
20:29 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
20:29 westbaystars: That brings up Matsunaka.
20:30 westbaystars: He takes two balls.
20:30 westbaystars: Yamazaki's third pitch is high and tight, ball three.
20:31 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is taken in the dirt, Matsunaka is walked on four pitches.
20:31 westbaystars: That brings up Johjima with a runner on first and two outs.
20:32 westbaystars: The first pitch is outside, but swung on and missed by Johjima, strike one.
20:32 westbaystars: The next pitch is in the dirt, blocked well by Noda. One and one.
20:32 Liono: will it be matsuzaka vs aragaki tomorrow?
20:33 westbaystars: A slow curve in the dirt, ball two.
20:33 westbaystars: That would be my guess.
20:33 westbaystars: As much as Itoh-kantoku may want to save Matsuzaka for Chunichi, he's got to get to Nagoya first.
20:33 Liono: what do u think the outcome might be?
20:33 westbaystars: Next pitch misses inside, ball three.
20:34 westbaystars: And the one strike, three ball pitch is grounded through the left side, too fast for anyone to move.
20:34 westbaystars: I try to avoid making predictions.
20:34 westbaystars:
20:35 westbaystars: With the hit, Johjima has a modasho, his third hit of the evening.
20:35 westbaystars: Runners now at first and second, two outs, Zuleta at the plate.
20:35 Liono: it will be interesting
20:35 westbaystars: The count evens at one and with as Zuleta takes inside.
20:35 westbaystars: Most definately interesting! You've got that right.
20:36 westbaystars: THe next pitch is driven hard and deep on the left side, but just foul!
20:36 westbaystars: A Looooooong foul ball.
20:36 westbaystars: Two strikes, one ball.
20:36 westbaystars: The next pitch is taken high to even the count at two and two.
20:37 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is low, taken for ball three. The count goes full.
20:37 westbaystars: The runners will be running on the pitch.
20:38 westbaystars: The pitch is high and away, ball four!
20:38 westbaystars: That loads the bases.
20:38 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku sends Akira-pitching coach out to the mound.
20:39 westbaystars: He has an unusually long talk to Yamazaki, like he did last night when his talk was effective.
20:39 westbaystars: Valdez now stands in, with one hit on the night.
20:39 westbaystars: The first pitch is taken for strike one.
20:40 westbaystars: Yamazaki's second pitch is taken low and away. One and one.
20:40 westbaystars: The third pitch catches the outside corner, strike two.
20:40 westbaystars: I don't think Valdez likes those outside pitches.
20:41 westbaystars: And the next pitch is taken on the outside corner, looks a little high, but is called strike three.
20:41 westbaystars: Yamazaki gets out of the jam.
20:43 westbaystars: ---
20:43 westbaystars: --- Top of Eighth
20:43 westbaystars: ---
20:44 westbaystars: Noda leads off taking strike one from Yamada.
20:44 westbaystars: Yamada's second pitch is taken on the outside corner, strike two.
20:44 westbaystars: The third pitch is right down the middle, watched for strike three!
20:44 westbaystars: San kyu shoubu! I like to see that!
20:45 westbaystars: Next up is number nine batter Takagi.
20:45 westbaystars: He takes strike one. That's four consecutive called strikes.
20:45 MHtrStevie: Must have taken him by surprise... =)
20:45 westbaystars: The next pitch just misses low, ball one.
20:46 westbaystars: The third pitch to Takagi is fouled off his own foot.
20:46 westbaystars: That's the thing. So many pitchers throw a waste pitch *every time* they get two quick strikes.
20:47 westbaystars: Takagi fails to hold up on strike three in the dirt that gets past Johjima.
20:47 westbaystars: Takagi takes off for first while Johjima runs back to get the all.
20:47 westbaystars: He throws to first, in time. Takagi is out K-2-3.
20:48 westbaystars: Next up is the top of the Lions' order in Satoh.
20:48 westbaystars: And Satoh takes two quick strikes.
20:48 westbaystars: Yamada is a strike throwing machine this inning!
20:48 westbaystars: The third pitch is out and away, ball one.
20:48 westbaystars: The fourth pitch just misses low, two and two.
20:49 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is in the dirt, and Yamada misses with three in a row.
20:49 westbaystars: Full count.
20:49 westbaystars: Yamada shakes his head "yes," throws, and Satoh grounds the ball to Kawasaki at short.
20:50 westbaystars: Kawasaki is up with the ball in front of the second base bag, and throws Satoh out.
20:50 westbaystars: The Lions are retired in order.
20:50 westbaystars: Down to their last chance, the Lions still trail 1-4.
20:50 westbaystars: ---
20:50 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Eighth
20:50 westbaystars: ---
20:51 westbaystars: Okamoto comes out to pitch for the Lions.
20:52 westbaystars: Torigoe, two for three tonight with an RBI, leads off.
20:53 westbaystars: And he bloops the first pitch to right-center, bouncing in for a base hit!
20:53 westbaystars: Modasho for Torigoe!
20:53 westbaystars: That brings up Kawasaki, who had his first two hits of Stage Two tonight, an RBI infield hit and a solo home run.
20:53 westbaystars: Kawasaki squares to bunt her.e
20:54 westbaystars: The first pitch is bunted back behind Noda who tried to grab it with his bare hand.
20:54 westbaystars: Strike one.
20:55 westbaystars: Kawasaki shows bunt on the second pitch, and bunts it foul again.
20:55 westbaystars: Strike two.
20:55 westbaystars: He now grips his bat to swing away.
20:55 westbaystars: The third pitch misses outside for ball one.
20:56 westbaystars: Okamoto throws to first to keep Torigoe close.
20:57 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is taken high and away, two and two.
20:58 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is a pitch out with Torigoe on the move!
20:58 westbaystars: The throw to second sees Torigoe running full out back to first.
20:58 westbaystars: He dives into first as the throw arives, safe!
20:58 westbaystars: Full count on Kawasaki.
20:59 westbaystars: Nobody out.
20:59 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is lifted high to the infield with Torigoe running.
20:59 westbaystars: Nakajima calls the ball near the second base bag, Torigoe turns around again.
20:59 westbaystars: Nakajima makes the catch, and Torigoe is safely back at first.
21:00 westbaystars: That brings us to the top of the order in Deguchi.
21:00 westbaystars: Deguchi shows bunt after the pitch, and takes strike one.
21:00 westbaystars: The second pitch is high and tight, ball one.
21:01 westbaystars: The third pitch is up high, ball two.
21:01 westbaystars: Noda looked like he wanted to throw somewhere, but held the ball.
21:01 westbaystars: Another throw to first.
21:02 westbaystars: The fourth pitch with Torigoe running (hit and run) is fouled off to the right side.
21:02 westbaystars: Torigoe returns to first, and Deguchi takes a new set of signs.
21:03 westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch is lifted into the fans on the right side behind the Hawks' dugout.
21:03 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is fouled back behind the back net.
21:04 westbaystars: The seventh pitch almost hits Deguchi's right (back) arm, taken for ball three.
21:04 westbaystars: Full count.
21:05 westbaystars: Torigoe is running on the pitch, that's fouled up the third base line.
21:05 westbaystars: Pitch number nine is lifted to left.
21:06 westbaystars: Wada comes in slowly, and makes the catch.
21:06 westbaystars: Torigoe returns to first.
21:06 westbaystars: Torigoe is putting a lot of pressure on Okamoto, but Okamoto has gotten the two batters nonetheless.
21:06 westbaystars: That brings up number two batter Shibahara.
21:07 westbaystars: After missing with the first pitch, Okamoto comes in and gets strike one called.
21:07 westbaystars: Okamoto then throws over to first.
21:08 westbaystars: Again to first.
21:08 westbaystars: The third pitch is low and away, Shibahara chasing the change up.
21:08 westbaystars: Strike two.
21:09 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is lined through the right side of the infield and into right field for a base hit.
21:09 westbaystars: He reached out and pulled the ball low ont he outside part of the plate.
21:09 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with two down and Iguchi at the plate.
21:10 westbaystars: Noda goes out and has a long talk with Okamoto.
21:10 westbaystars: Iguchi is 0 for 4 tonight.
21:10 westbaystars: ... so far.
21:11 westbaystars: The first pitch from Okamoto is taken outside for ball one.
21:11 westbaystars: The second pitch is fouled back, one and one.
21:12 westbaystars: Iguchi takes ball two.
21:12 westbaystars: The fourth pitch misses high, ball three.
21:12 westbaystars: Okamoto isn't thinking of loading the bases is he?
21:12 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is kind of high and tight, but called strike two, full count.
21:13 westbaystars: The sixth pitch with the runners on the move is lifted to right.
21:13 westbaystars: Not deep enough, though, as Satoh takes a couple of steps over and in to take in the ball.
21:13 westbaystars: That retires the side.
21:14 westbaystars: Going to the last inning, the score remains Seibu 1 - 4 Daiei
21:14 westbaystars: ---
21:14 westbaystars: --- Top of Nineth
21:14 westbaystars: ---
21:14 westbaystars: Coming in to close for the Hawks is Mise.
21:14 MHtrStevie: Tight situation, but Okamoto kept the Lions within striking distance...
21:14 westbaystars: He's the third Hawk pitcher of the night.
21:15 westbaystars: Mise had a record of 4 and 3 with 28 save and a 3.06 ERA in 55 appearances in 2004.
21:16 westbaystars: He tied for the Pacific League Fireman's Award.
21:16 westbaystars: Yea, Okamoto scaped by.
21:16 westbaystars: Number two batter Akada leads off for the Lions.
21:17 westbaystars: This is his first time up on the right handed side of the plate.
21:17 westbaystars: Facing left handed Mise.
21:18 westbaystars: Akada grounds the ball to third.
21:18 westbaystars: Torigoe fields the ball, throws a little high to first.
21:18 westbaystars: But Matsunaka manages to hold on as the speedy Akada comes by.
21:18 westbaystars: Out.
21:19 westbaystars: That brings up Fernandez, who is 0 for 4 during the season against Mise.
21:19 westbaystars: Fernandez lifts the ball high to the right side and foul.
21:19 westbaystars: Matsunaka runs out toward the right field corner.
21:19 westbaystars: He twists his body at the last second, and makes the catch.
21:19 westbaystars: Foul out for out number two.
21:20 westbaystars: The Lions are down to their last out with the Mighty Casey, I mean, Cabrera at the bat.
21:20 westbaystars: After taking ball one, Cabrera swings big and misses for strike one.
21:21 westbaystars: The third pitch is fouled off the umpire's face mask. Strike two.
21:21 MHtrStevie: Ato ikkyu!
21:21 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is way up high, taken for ball two, two and two.
21:21 westbaystars: Mise throws, in high, ball three. Full count.
21:22 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is taken, just missing inside for ball four.
21:22 westbaystars: Cabrera keeps the Lions' hopes alive.
21:22 westbaystars: Matsunaka gives Mise a word of encouragement.
21:23 westbaystars: And Wada stands in.
21:23 westbaystars: Wada has a double and home run on the night.
21:23 westbaystars: And takes ball one.
21:23 westbaystars: The second pitch is lined right to Iguchi at second!
21:23 westbaystars: Shiai shuryo.
21:23 westbaystars: ***
21:23 westbaystars: ***
21:23 westbaystars: *** Game Final
21:24 westbaystars: *** Seibu Lions 1 - 3 Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
21:24 westbaystars: ***
21:24 westbaystars: ***
21:24 westbaystars: That makes it two games apiece.
21:24 westbaystars: We go a fifth game tomorrow night.
21:25 Liono: down to u daisuke
21:25 westbaystars: The fans get ready to let loose their white "victory fusen."
21:25 MHtrStevie: That final score is 4-1 for the Hawks, right?
21:26 westbaystars: Kurano is announced the hero of the game.
21:26 westbaystars: Right! Argh!
21:26 westbaystars: ***
21:26 westbaystars: ***
21:26 westbaystars: *** Game Final
21:26 westbaystars: *** Seibu Lions 1 - 4 Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
21:26 westbaystars: ***
21:26 westbaystars: ***
21:27 MHtrStevie: That's a good choice... sounds like Kurano pitched a gem tonight.
21:27 westbaystars: Kawasaki is also called up as a secondary hero of the game.
21:28 westbaystars: He did. He didn't allow a Lion beyond second base.
21:28 westbaystars: And he had a quick pace.
21:28 MHtrStevie: Greetings, habs!
21:29 MHtrStevie: You just missed the end of the game...
21:30 habs: morning my timing is bad the last few games
21:30 westbaystars: Well, the last one is tomorrow.
21:31 westbaystars: Before the Japan Series.
21:31 westbaystars: It could well go either way.
21:33 westbaystars: If that's all, I'll get to work on putting the transcript up.
21:34 Liono: thanks
21:34 habs: sounds ok. holiday tomorrow so no work. Hope to joinyou on time.
21:35 MHtrStevie: All right... nice job again, Westbay-san! We've appreciated this all season...
21:35 westbaystars: Have a good day or evening, all. Take care.
21:36 MHtrStevie: I'll try to stop in briefly tomorrow, but sadly I still have work... =)
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2004/10/10 21:36
CHATROOM Pacific League Playoffs: Second Stage Game 4/Seibu Lions vs. Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
MODERATORS westbaystars
18:01 westbaystars: ---
18:01 westbaystars: --- Top of First
18:01 westbaystars: ---
18:02 westbaystars: Kurano on the mound for Daiei.
18:02 westbaystars: His first pitch to Seibu's lead-off batter Satoh is high.
18:03 westbaystars: Satoh takes a two strike, one ball pitch to right.
18:03 westbaystars: But right to the right fielder for the first out.
18:04 westbaystars: That brings up Akada.
18:04 westbaystars: Akada grounds out to Matsunaka at first who takes the ball to the bag himself for out number two.
18:05 westbaystars: That's Deguchi in right for Daiei this evening.
18:05 westbaystars: Next up is the man who's been Seibu's hero against Daiei, Fernandez.
18:06 westbaystars: Fernandez lifts a high ball to the infield.
18:06 westbaystars: Iguchi calls the ball, and makes the catch just behind the mound.
18:07 westbaystars: Three up, three down.
18:07 westbaystars: ---
18:07 westbaystars: --- Bottom of First
18:07 westbaystars: ---
18:08 westbaystars: Hoashi, who threw six no-hit innings against the Fighters in Stage One, starts for Seibut.
18:09 westbaystars: He faces Deguchi to lead off for Daiei, scrambling their order for this daijina game.
18:09 westbaystars: His first pitch catches the inside corner and is taken for strike one.
18:09 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded to second.
18:09 westbaystars: Takagi fields it and throws him out.
18:09 westbaystars: That brings up Shibahara.
18:10 westbaystars: He watches a slow curve go by for strike one.
18:10 westbaystars: Verses Hoashi on the season, Shibahara was 3 for 6 (.500).
18:11 westbaystars: After another slow curve for a strike, Hoashi misses inside for ball one.
18:11 westbaystars: The next pitch is way up and away, the count goes even at 2-2.
18:12 westbaystars: Shibahara gets a piece of the next pitch, fouling it off.
18:12 westbaystars: Then he grounds out to Fernandez at third. Two down.
18:13 westbaystars: The count to Iguchi goes to two and two.
18:14 westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch is lifted to shallow right-center.
18:14 westbaystars: Akada comes in, but it's Satoh who comes over and makes the catch.
18:14 westbaystars: Both sides are retired in order in the first, naughting the score at 0-0 after one.
18:14 westbaystars: ---
18:15 westbaystars: --- Top of Second
18:15 westbaystars: ---
18:16 westbaystars: Alex Cabrera leads off for the Lions' second.
18:18 westbaystars: Cabrera watches strike three go by, over the middle of the plate and up in the zone.
18:18 westbaystars: Cabu thought it was a little high, but returns to the third base dugout without a word.
18:19 westbaystars: Wada follows lifting the first pitch to shallow left.
18:19 westbaystars: Iguchi back peddals a bit, calling the ball.
18:19 westbaystars: And makes the catch.
18:19 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
18:19 westbaystars: Kaizuka comes up, still looking for his first hit in Stage Two.
18:20 westbaystars: He pulls the ball to right, fair!
18:20 westbaystars: Kaizuka breaks his 0 for 8 streak in the Second Stage and has the first hit of the ball game.
18:21 westbaystars: Wasn't it last Sunday that he was so vital to Seibu's coming to Fukuoka?
18:21 westbaystars: Nakajima comes up next.
18:22 westbaystars: Nakajima is handcuffed, and slaps the ball the other way to right.
18:22 westbaystars: The ball reaches Deguchi on one bound.
18:23 westbaystars: While Deguchi is fielding the ball, Kaizuka kicks second and heads for third.
18:23 westbaystars: The throw to third is to Torigoe on one bound.
18:23 westbaystars: The tag! He's out!
18:23 westbaystars: This kills the Lions' rally.
18:24 westbaystars: They manage two hits, but strand only one.
18:24 westbaystars: ---
18:24 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Second
18:24 westbaystars: ---
18:24 westbaystars: Matsunaka, 1 for 11 in Stage II, leads off for the Hawks.
18:25 westbaystars: He's swinging at the first pitch, lifting it high to left.
18:25 westbaystars: It's higher than deep, and Akada comes in a few steps to make the catch.
18:25 westbaystars: One pitch, one out.
18:25 westbaystars: That'll bring up Johjima.
18:26 westbaystars: Johjima pulls the ball up the third base line, just in the line!
18:26 westbaystars: Wada plays the ball in the corner and throws to second.
18:27 westbaystars: The throw to second on a bound, Johjima sliding in, he's touched out!
18:27 westbaystars: The Hawks' first hit of the game is quickly erased at second base.
18:27 westbaystars: That brings up Zuleta.
18:28 westbaystars: Zuleta is 2 for 11 (.182) in the Series so far.
18:28 westbaystars: With the count even at 2-2 with two outs, Zuleta takes low and in, ball three.
18:28 westbaystars: The count is full.
18:29 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch by Hoashi is lined through the left side and into left field.
18:29 westbaystars: Base hit!
18:29 westbaystars: Zuleta holds at first with a single.
18:29 westbaystars: Valdez follows.
18:31 westbaystars: Hoashi works the count even to 2-2.
18:31 westbaystars: The next pitch is way outside, full count.
18:32 westbaystars: With Zuleta running, Valdez fouls one off to the left side.
18:32 westbaystars: We do it again.
18:32 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is grounded to Nakajima at short.
18:32 westbaystars: The throw to first is in time, and the Hawks are down.
18:33 westbaystars: At the end of two completle, the game remains tied at 0-0.
18:33 westbaystars: ---
18:33 westbaystars: --- Top of Third
18:33 westbaystars: ---
18:36 westbaystars: Hosokawa leads off for the Lions this inning.
18:36 westbaystars: And he goes down swinging at a slider outside and low.
18:36 westbaystars: One out.
18:37 westbaystars: Number nine batter Takagi follows.
18:38 westbaystars: Takagi grounds the ball back up the middle.
18:38 westbaystars: But Kawasaki fields the ball almost on the second base bag, and throws him out at first.
18:38 westbaystars: Two away.
18:38 westbaystars: That brings up the top of the Lions' order in Satoh.
18:39 westbaystars: Kurano gets ahead of Satoh quickly with two quick strikes.
18:40 westbaystars: Satoh grounds the ball to the gap on the right side.
18:40 westbaystars: Matsunaka takes two steps toward second, dives, and smothers the ball.
18:40 westbaystars: He picks up the ball, and still lying on his front, throws the ball to Kurano covering.
18:41 westbaystars: *Just* in time to get the speedy Satoh!
18:41 westbaystars: Incredible play!
18:41 westbaystars: That should get the Hawks inspired!
18:41 westbaystars: The Lions go down in order for the second time this evening.
18:41 westbaystars: ---
18:42 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Third
18:42 westbaystars: ---
18:42 westbaystars: Torigoe, batting number eight in the order this evening, leads off the Hawks half of the third.
18:43 westbaystars: And he promptly grounds the ball back up the middle, past Hoashi's stabbing glove, and into center field.
18:43 westbaystars: Lead-off base hit!
18:43 westbaystars: That brings up Kawasaki, 0 for 8 so far in Stage II.
18:43 westbaystars: He immediately squares to bunt, and Hoashi throws to first.
18:44 westbaystars: The first pitch to the plate sees Kawasaki pull the ball back from bunt position to swing, but takes ball one outside.
18:44 westbaystars: The second pitch, with Kawasaki looking to hit, squares to bunt and bunts it foul on the third base side.
18:45 westbaystars: Kawasaki fakes bunt again, pulls the ball back, and grounds the ball up the middle.
18:45 westbaystars: Nakajima fields the ball right on the second base bag for one, the throw to first is in time, but...
18:45 westbaystars: ... Cabrera drops it!
18:46 westbaystars: Safe at first!
18:46 westbaystars: That brings up the top of the Hawk order in Deguchi.
18:47 westbaystars: Good evening again, Liono-san.
18:47 Liono: Hi
18:48 Liono: good morning for me!
18:48 westbaystars: Score is currently scoreless (0-0) in the bottom of the third.
18:48 westbaystars: Deguchi lifts a high fly to right.
18:48 westbaystars: Satoh comes in, and makes the catch for out number two.
18:48 Liono: hows the game?
18:49 westbaystars: Kawasaki is still at first.
18:49 westbaystars: Shibahara stands in.
18:49 westbaystars: Fast paced and scoreless.
18:49 westbaystars: Shibahara lines the ball to right over Takagi's head.
18:50 westbaystars: The ball bounces in. Base hit.
18:50 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with two outs and Iguchi at the plate.
18:50 westbaystars: Iguchi has two home runs so far this series.
18:51 westbaystars: Hoashi is throwing his palm for strikes against Iguchi, getting ahead two strikes, one ball.
18:52 westbaystars: The fourth pitch misses low, two and two.
18:52 westbaystars: The next pitch is in the dirt, but swung on and missed!
18:52 westbaystars: Hosokawa, behind the plate tonight, touches Iguchi out, and the side is retired.
18:53 westbaystars: At the end of three complete, there is still no score.
18:53 westbaystars: ---
18:53 westbaystars: --- Top of Fourth
18:53 westbaystars: ---
18:55 westbaystars: Akada leads off the fourth inning for Seibu.
18:56 westbaystars: He hits a high one bounder to the right side.
18:56 westbaystars: Iguchi rushes in, and waits for the ball to come down.
18:56 westbaystars: He throws to first as fast as he can, and *just* gets Akada by half a step.
18:56 westbaystars: One out.
18:56 westbaystars: That brings up the heart of the Lions' order.
18:57 westbaystars: Fernandez.
18:57 westbaystars: Kurano managed to get him to pop out to second in the first.
18:57 westbaystars: The third pitch is lifted deep to right.
18:58 westbaystars: But not deep enough.
18:58 westbaystars: Deguchi goes back, over toward the line, then in a step and makes the catch.
18:58 westbaystars: Two down.
18:58 westbaystars: That brings up Cabrera who struck out his first at bat.
18:58 westbaystars: He's swinging at the first pitch.
18:59 westbaystars: It's going, going, Deguchi is on the warning track and coming toward the line.
18:59 westbaystars: Deguchi jumps, and makes the catch at that huge wall.
18:59 westbaystars: A long out, but an out nonetheless.
18:59 westbaystars: The Lions are retired in order again.
18:59 westbaystars: ---
18:59 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fourth
18:59 westbaystars: ---
19:01 westbaystars: Matsunaka leads off the Daiei half of the fourth.
19:01 westbaystars: He's 1 for 11 (.083) agains Seibu in this series.
19:02 MHtrStevie: Ohayo gozaimasu, minna-san!
19:02 westbaystars: Ohayo.
19:03 westbaystars: Matsunaka makes it 1 for 12 as he grounds out to Nakajima near the second base bag.
19:03 westbaystars: One out.
19:03 westbaystars: The game is scoreless in the bottom of the fourth, for those of you just joining us.
19:03 westbaystars: It's a fast paced game.
19:04 westbaystars: Hoashi is on the mound for Seibu.
19:04 westbaystars: Johjima stands in for Daiei.
19:04 westbaystars: Johjima lines the ball to the right-center gap.
19:05 westbaystars: He wisely holds at first as Akada fields the ball and returns it.
19:05 westbaystars: He was thrown out in the second trying to streatch a single into a double with a hit up the left field line.
19:05 westbaystars: The bounce out of the corner killed him, helping Wada get the ball quicker than expected.
19:05 westbaystars: It was still close at second.
19:06 westbaystars: Nonetheless, with a runner at first and one out, Zuleta comes up.
19:07 westbaystars: Umpire says that Zuleta swung, confusing Zuleta a great deal as strike two is shown on the score board.
19:07 westbaystars: The next pitch is in the dirt, evening the count at two, two.
19:08 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is taken high and tight, full count.
19:09 westbaystars: With Johjima running, the sixth pitch is fouled off Zuleta's left foot.
19:09 westbaystars: The next pitch hits Zuleta's back (right) foot.
19:10 westbaystars: Zuleta checks his swing like he did when he was called for strike two, but he's awarded first base nonetheless.
19:10 westbaystars: Runners now at first and second with Valdez coming to the plate and one out.
19:11 westbaystars: Left handed Hoashi vs. left handed Valdez.
19:11 westbaystars: The first pitch is a slow curve pulled foul for strike one.
19:12 westbaystars: The second pitch, with Hosokawa setup outside, is low and away, one and one.
19:12 westbaystars: Hoashi's third pitch is fouled off to the left side.
19:13 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is pulled through the gap on the right side of the infield and into right field.
19:13 westbaystars: Base hit!
19:13 westbaystars: Johjima rounds third, but is held up the by third base coach.
19:14 westbaystars: Bases loaded with one out.
19:14 westbaystars: Number eight batting Torigoe comes up to bat.
19:14 westbaystars: The infield comes in to make the play to the plate.
19:14 westbaystars: Torigoe got a base hit his first at bat this evening.
19:15 westbaystars: The second pitch is grounded through the left side of the infield!
19:15 westbaystars: Johjima comes in and scores the first run of the game!
19:15 westbaystars: The Hawks hold with one as Wada is up with the ball quickly.
19:15 westbaystars: Araki-pitching coach heads out to the mound.
19:16 westbaystars: And before I can type that, he's heading back to the dugout.
19:16 westbaystars: He really doesn't tend to spend much time out there.
19:16 westbaystars: Kawasaki follows, having fallen from the number one to number nine in the order.
19:17 westbaystars: He grounds the first pitch up the middle, over Hoashi!
19:17 westbaystars: Takagi fields the ball behind second base, throws home!
19:17 westbaystars: Safe!
19:17 westbaystars: There isn't a play anywhere else.
19:17 westbaystars: And it looks like Hosokawa is hurt at home.
19:18 westbaystars: He's limping off the field with his arm around the trainer.
19:18 westbaystars: Pulled a muscle?
19:18 westbaystars: He wasn't hurt blocking, as the runner was in before the throw reached him.
19:19 westbaystars: Noda is out in his gear, and takes a couple of pitches.
19:19 westbaystars: Noda gives Hoashi a couple of words and takes the spot behind home plate.
19:19 westbaystars: That brings us to the top of the order in Deguchi.
19:20 westbaystars: With the bases still loaded, one out, and two runs in so far.
19:21 westbaystars: The third pitch to Deguchi is grounded through the left side, base hit!
19:21 westbaystars: Zuleta comes in to score the Hawks' third run of the inning.
19:22 westbaystars: After four base hits in a row (Kawasaki's was ruled an infield hit as Takagi didn't have a play at first),
19:22 westbaystars: Hoashi is retired.
19:22 westbaystars: Mori comes in to pitch for tthe Lions.
19:24 westbaystars: With the bases loaded and one out, Mori will face Shibahara.
19:25 westbaystars: Shibahara now stands in.
19:26 westbaystars: Shibahara is swinging at the first pitch.
19:26 westbaystars: And he lifts the ball high to shallow center.
19:26 westbaystars: Akada rushes in, and makes the catch, still on a dead run.
19:27 westbaystars: Nakajima would normally get that one, but he was playing too far in.
19:27 westbaystars: That's the second out, with the bases still loaded.
19:27 westbaystars: Iguchi comes up to bat.
19:28 westbaystars: After two quick strikes, S. Mori just misses inside for ball one.
19:29 westbaystars: Iguchi swings at a high pitch, it's going deep to center!
19:29 westbaystars: Akada is running at a dead run toward the wall!
19:29 westbaystars: Akada turns in front of the center field wall, jumps, and makes the catch!
19:30 westbaystars: The third out was a long one, but as good as a ground out.
19:30 MHtrStevie: Nice play!
19:30 westbaystars: The Hawks strand the bases loaded.
19:30 westbaystars: But not before four consecutive base hits drive in three runs.
19:30 westbaystars: At the end of four complete inning, Daiei takes a 3-0 lead.
19:31 westbaystars: ---
19:31 westbaystars: --- Top of Fifth
19:31 westbaystars: ---
19:31 westbaystars: Akada had a long way to run to get to the ball.
19:31 westbaystars: And it's never easy to jump *at* the wall.
19:31 westbaystars: Wada leads off the fifth against Kurano.
19:32 westbaystars: He takes just outside, ball one.
19:32 westbaystars: The second pitch is a line drive to the left-center gap.
19:32 westbaystars: The ball hits in, and one bounds to the wall.
19:32 westbaystars: Shibahara plays the ball off the wall and fires to second.
19:33 westbaystars: The ball is relayed there, too late. Wada is safe slidingin into second before the tag.
19:33 westbaystars: Lead-off double.
19:33 westbaystars: Kaizuka follows with a high fly to left.
19:33 westbaystars: Valdez takes the ball in for out number one.
19:33 westbaystars: That brings up Nakajima.
19:34 westbaystars: Nakajima lines a 1-1 pitch to right.
19:35 westbaystars: Deguchi catches the ball and fires to third.
19:35 westbaystars: Wada touched up, started, decided to stay at second, and saw a ...
19:35 westbaystars: ... lazer beam throw to third that would have had him.
19:35 westbaystars: Wise decision to stay.
19:36 westbaystars: Noda, in his first at bat this game, lines out to Deguchi in right to end the inning.
19:36 westbaystars: The Lions got their third runner as far as second, but have yet to get one safely to third.
19:36 westbaystars: They continue to trail 0-3.
19:36 westbaystars: ---
19:36 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fifth
19:36 westbaystars: ---
19:37 westbaystars: Matsunaka leads off for the Hawks.
19:38 westbaystars: He's 1 for 13 (.077) in the Series so far, his one his a home run.
19:38 westbaystars: Matsunaka has made a couple of great plays in the field, but has yet to show his Triple Crown bat.
19:39 westbaystars: After taking two balls, he takes strike on called on the inside corner, disagreeing with the call.
19:40 westbaystars: The next pitch he's unable to hold up, and the count goes even to two and two.
19:40 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is low, full count.
19:41 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is grounded to Kaizuka at first again tonight.
19:41 westbaystars: Kaizuka takes the ball to the bag himself, and we have one out.
19:41 westbaystars: Johjima comes up next, raising his average this Series to .500 with two hits so far in the game.
19:42 westbaystars: He's also 2 for 2 with 2 walks against Mori during the season.
19:42 westbaystars: He's swinging for the fenses here, bringing the count even to 1 and 1.
19:42 westbaystars: The next pitch is swung on more relaxed, but missed just as well.
19:42 westbaystars: Strike two.
19:43 westbaystars: Mori's fourth pitch is low, but the first base umpire says he swung for strike three.
19:43 westbaystars: Johjima stands there in the batter's box for another five to ten second glaring at the first base umpire.
19:43 westbaystars: He finally heads to the dugout, and Zuleta stands in.
19:45 westbaystars: The count goes to two and two against Zuleta.
19:45 westbaystars: The announcers comment that Zuleta is slimmer than he was last year.
19:45 westbaystars: Zuleta foul tips the ball under Noda to stay alive.
19:46 westbaystars: The sixth pitch, a fork, is swung on and missed, strike three.
19:46 westbaystars: The Hawks go down in order.
19:46 westbaystars: At the end of six complete, the score remains Seibu 0 - 3 Daiei.
19:47 westbaystars: Sorry, that should be, the end of five complete.
19:47 westbaystars: ---
19:47 westbaystars: --- Top of Sixth
19:47 westbaystars: ---
19:48 westbaystars: Number nine batting Takagi leads off the sixth for the Lions.
19:49 westbaystars: Through five innings, Kurano has thrown 50 pitches. struck out two, and allowed three hits.
19:49 westbaystars: He hasn't allows any walks or runs.
19:49 westbaystars: He's throwing at a very good pace.
19:51 westbaystars: The count to Takagi is quickly brough even to two and two.
19:52 westbaystars: After fouling one off, Takagi works the count full.
19:52 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is fouled off to the right side.
19:53 westbaystars: The eight pitch is low, but swung on and missed! Strike three.
19:54 westbaystars: Takagi battled well.
19:54 westbaystars: Next up is the top of the Lions' order in Satoh, 0 for 2 so far tonight.
19:55 westbaystars: After a strike, Kurano misses outside with two in a row, one strike, two balls.
19:55 westbaystars: The third pitch is lined to center, and it bounces in in front of Shibahara.
19:55 westbaystars: One out base hit.
19:55 westbaystars: That brings up Akada.
19:56 westbaystars: Akada is 5 for 14 (.357) with 1 RBI in this Stage so far.
19:57 westbaystars: Akada grounds the ball to Matsunaka at first.
19:57 westbaystars: Matsunaka elects to throw to second despite being right next to the first base bag.
19:57 westbaystars: He gets the force, but took too long to get the ball out of his glove for a double play.
19:57 westbaystars: That brings Fernandez up with a runner *not* in scoring position.
19:58 westbaystars: Fernandez hasn't figured out Kurano yet tonight.
19:59 westbaystars: To his credit, Fernandez doesn't swing at many bad pitches and works the count to one strike, three balls.
19:59 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is ripped past Seibu's third base coach fould.
19:59 westbaystars: ... foul.
20:00 westbaystars: The full count pitch as the clock passes 8:00 is grounded to Kawasaki at short.
20:00 westbaystars: Kawasaki throws to first, and the side is retired.
20:00 westbaystars: Kurano has done what the past two night of Hawk pitchers hadn't been able to do, ...
20:01 westbaystars: ... keep Fernandez off base and in the park.
20:01 westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the sixth, the Lions still trail 0-3.
20:01 westbaystars: ---
20:01 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Sixth
20:01 westbaystars: ---
20:02 MHtrStevie: Wow... Kurano's really pitching effectively!
20:02 westbaystars: He slowed down his pace this past inning. But otherwise, I'd been impressed with how quickly he's delivered.
20:03 westbaystars: Valdez leads off the Hawks' half of the sixth.
20:03 westbaystars: He takes strike one.
20:03 westbaystars: The second pitch from Mori is fouled off to the left side. Two quick strikes.
20:03 westbaystars: The next pitch is taken outside, ball one.
20:04 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is a fork way up high.
20:04 westbaystars: Valdes swings and misses it, though, for the first out of the inning.
20:04 westbaystars: That brings up Torigoe who has two hits on the night, the second one driving in the first run of the game.
20:05 westbaystars: He takes a slow curve for strike one. Looked kind of high to me.
20:05 westbaystars: The next pitch is swung on and missed, low and on the outside part of the plate, strike two.
20:06 westbaystars: Mori's third pitch misses outside, right at Noda's glove. Ball one.
20:06 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is fouled off to the right side. Still two strikes, one ball.
20:06 westbaystars: Torigoe fails to hold up on Mori's fifth pitch low and away, strike out.
20:07 westbaystars: Two K's in a row for Mori this inning.
20:07 westbaystars: That brings up number nine batting Kawasaki.
20:08 westbaystars: Kawasaki lines the ball to right.
20:08 westbaystars: Satoh takes a couple of steps, and gives up.
20:08 westbaystars: Haitaaaaaaaaaa!
20:08 westbaystars: Home run!
20:09 westbaystars: After failing to get a hit in the first three games of this series, Kawasaki has an RBI infield hit and ...
20:09 westbaystars: ... solo home run.
20:09 westbaystars: Daiei takes a 4-0 lead.
20:09 westbaystars: That brings up Deguchi, who singled in the Hawks' third run in the fourth.
20:10 westbaystars: The count goes even two and two to Deguchi.
20:10 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is a check swing grounded to Takagi at second.
20:11 westbaystars: That retires the side.
20:11 westbaystars: But not before the Hawks add one more with Kawasaki's solo home run.
20:11 westbaystars: His second hit of the Second Stage.
20:12 westbaystars: At the end of six complete, the Hawks now lead 4-0.
20:12 westbaystars: ---
20:12 westbaystars: --- Top of Seventh
20:12 westbaystars: ---
20:12 westbaystars: Obana-pitching coach and Oh-kantoku come out togetherr.
20:12 westbaystars: Obana takes the ball, and Oh-kantoku tells the home plate ump that Yamada is taking over on the mound.
20:13 westbaystars: Kurano threw 70 pitches in six innings, holding the Lions scoreless.
20:13 westbaystars: Yamada is 0 and 1 in four appearances against Seibu during the season with a 9.00 ERA.
20:14 westbaystars: Cabrera leads off for the Lions.
20:14 westbaystars: He's in as the DH again this evening, still not feeling 100%.
20:15 westbaystars: Cabrera makes a couple of big swings, missing both times, after Yamada's first pitch was a ball.
20:15 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is swung on and missed, strike three.
20:15 westbaystars: Yamada had Cabu-chan's timing all off.
20:16 westbaystars: One out.
20:16 westbaystars: Wada comes up next.
20:16 westbaystars: He hit a double his last at bat.
20:16 westbaystars: But got no furtherr than second base.
20:17 westbaystars: But he swings the bat and Valdez in left doesn't move.
20:17 westbaystars: The ball sails over his head and deep into the Lions' oen-dan in left.
20:17 westbaystars: Home run!
20:17 westbaystars: That cuts the Hawks lead to 4-1.
20:18 westbaystars: Kaizuka comes up next.
20:18 westbaystars: He got his first hit of the series his first at bat in the second.
20:18 westbaystars: It was his only hit in 10 tries so far.
20:19 westbaystars: Yamada goes two and two to Kaizuka, that fourth pitch looking pretty good, but called ball two.
20:19 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is well inside for ball three, bringing the count full.
20:20 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is lined deep to left-center.
20:20 westbaystars: Shibahara, running toward the warning track and left field make the catch over his shoulder.
20:20 westbaystars: Two outs.
20:20 westbaystars: That brings up Nakajima.
20:21 westbaystars: 3 for 13 so far this Stage.
20:21 westbaystars: Having troubles, Stevie?
20:22 westbaystars: Nakajima goes down fishing for a pitch out and away to retire the side.
20:22 westbaystars: But the Lions get their first run of the game with a big home run off the bat of Wada.
20:22 westbaystars: That makes the score Lions 1 - 4 Hawks going to the Hawks' Lucky Seven.
20:23 westbaystars: ---
20:23 MHtrStevie: Yeesh... don't know what happened there...
20:23 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Seventh
20:23 westbaystars: ---
20:23 westbaystars: *** Chunichi leads Yakult 9-4 in the 6th.
20:23 westbaystars: *** Hanshin leads the Giants 8-1 inthe 6th.
20:24 westbaystars: *** Hiroshima leads the 'Stars 1-0 in the 7th.
20:25 westbaystars: Yamazaki comes in to become the Lions' third pitcher of the evening.
20:26 westbaystars: The first batter Yamazaki faces is Shibahara.
20:26 westbaystars: And his first pitch is taken for ball one.
20:27 westbaystars: Wada's comment on his home run is that it isn't much, but he hopes that it gets something going.
20:27 westbaystars: The count goes full to Shibahara.
20:28 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is sent deep to left-center.
20:29 westbaystars: Wada goes back looking over his right shoulder, turns, backpeddals, and lunges to his right (now the opposite way) ...
20:29 westbaystars: ... and makes the catch.
20:29 westbaystars: Iguchi lifts the first pitch behind the plate, caught by Noda near the back net.
20:29 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
20:29 westbaystars: That brings up Matsunaka.
20:30 westbaystars: He takes two balls.
20:30 westbaystars: Yamazaki's third pitch is high and tight, ball three.
20:31 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is taken in the dirt, Matsunaka is walked on four pitches.
20:31 westbaystars: That brings up Johjima with a runner on first and two outs.
20:32 westbaystars: The first pitch is outside, but swung on and missed by Johjima, strike one.
20:32 westbaystars: The next pitch is in the dirt, blocked well by Noda. One and one.
20:32 Liono: will it be matsuzaka vs aragaki tomorrow?
20:33 westbaystars: A slow curve in the dirt, ball two.
20:33 westbaystars: That would be my guess.
20:33 westbaystars: As much as Itoh-kantoku may want to save Matsuzaka for Chunichi, he's got to get to Nagoya first.
20:33 Liono: what do u think the outcome might be?
20:33 westbaystars: Next pitch misses inside, ball three.
20:34 westbaystars: And the one strike, three ball pitch is grounded through the left side, too fast for anyone to move.
20:34 westbaystars: I try to avoid making predictions.
20:34 westbaystars:
20:35 westbaystars: With the hit, Johjima has a modasho, his third hit of the evening.
20:35 westbaystars: Runners now at first and second, two outs, Zuleta at the plate.
20:35 Liono: it will be interesting
20:35 westbaystars: The count evens at one and with as Zuleta takes inside.
20:35 westbaystars: Most definately interesting! You've got that right.
20:36 westbaystars: THe next pitch is driven hard and deep on the left side, but just foul!
20:36 westbaystars: A Looooooong foul ball.
20:36 westbaystars: Two strikes, one ball.
20:36 westbaystars: The next pitch is taken high to even the count at two and two.
20:37 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is low, taken for ball three. The count goes full.
20:37 westbaystars: The runners will be running on the pitch.
20:38 westbaystars: The pitch is high and away, ball four!
20:38 westbaystars: That loads the bases.
20:38 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku sends Akira-pitching coach out to the mound.
20:39 westbaystars: He has an unusually long talk to Yamazaki, like he did last night when his talk was effective.
20:39 westbaystars: Valdez now stands in, with one hit on the night.
20:39 westbaystars: The first pitch is taken for strike one.
20:40 westbaystars: Yamazaki's second pitch is taken low and away. One and one.
20:40 westbaystars: The third pitch catches the outside corner, strike two.
20:40 westbaystars: I don't think Valdez likes those outside pitches.
20:41 westbaystars: And the next pitch is taken on the outside corner, looks a little high, but is called strike three.
20:41 westbaystars: Yamazaki gets out of the jam.
20:43 westbaystars: ---
20:43 westbaystars: --- Top of Eighth
20:43 westbaystars: ---
20:44 westbaystars: Noda leads off taking strike one from Yamada.
20:44 westbaystars: Yamada's second pitch is taken on the outside corner, strike two.
20:44 westbaystars: The third pitch is right down the middle, watched for strike three!
20:44 westbaystars: San kyu shoubu! I like to see that!
20:45 westbaystars: Next up is number nine batter Takagi.
20:45 westbaystars: He takes strike one. That's four consecutive called strikes.
20:45 MHtrStevie: Must have taken him by surprise... =)
20:45 westbaystars: The next pitch just misses low, ball one.
20:46 westbaystars: The third pitch to Takagi is fouled off his own foot.
20:46 westbaystars: That's the thing. So many pitchers throw a waste pitch *every time* they get two quick strikes.
20:47 westbaystars: Takagi fails to hold up on strike three in the dirt that gets past Johjima.
20:47 westbaystars: Takagi takes off for first while Johjima runs back to get the all.
20:47 westbaystars: He throws to first, in time. Takagi is out K-2-3.
20:48 westbaystars: Next up is the top of the Lions' order in Satoh.
20:48 westbaystars: And Satoh takes two quick strikes.
20:48 westbaystars: Yamada is a strike throwing machine this inning!
20:48 westbaystars: The third pitch is out and away, ball one.
20:48 westbaystars: The fourth pitch just misses low, two and two.
20:49 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is in the dirt, and Yamada misses with three in a row.
20:49 westbaystars: Full count.
20:49 westbaystars: Yamada shakes his head "yes," throws, and Satoh grounds the ball to Kawasaki at short.
20:50 westbaystars: Kawasaki is up with the ball in front of the second base bag, and throws Satoh out.
20:50 westbaystars: The Lions are retired in order.
20:50 westbaystars: Down to their last chance, the Lions still trail 1-4.
20:50 westbaystars: ---
20:50 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Eighth
20:50 westbaystars: ---
20:51 westbaystars: Okamoto comes out to pitch for the Lions.
20:52 westbaystars: Torigoe, two for three tonight with an RBI, leads off.
20:53 westbaystars: And he bloops the first pitch to right-center, bouncing in for a base hit!
20:53 westbaystars: Modasho for Torigoe!
20:53 westbaystars: That brings up Kawasaki, who had his first two hits of Stage Two tonight, an RBI infield hit and a solo home run.
20:53 westbaystars: Kawasaki squares to bunt her.e
20:54 westbaystars: The first pitch is bunted back behind Noda who tried to grab it with his bare hand.
20:54 westbaystars: Strike one.
20:55 westbaystars: Kawasaki shows bunt on the second pitch, and bunts it foul again.
20:55 westbaystars: Strike two.
20:55 westbaystars: He now grips his bat to swing away.
20:55 westbaystars: The third pitch misses outside for ball one.
20:56 westbaystars: Okamoto throws to first to keep Torigoe close.
20:57 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is taken high and away, two and two.
20:58 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is a pitch out with Torigoe on the move!
20:58 westbaystars: The throw to second sees Torigoe running full out back to first.
20:58 westbaystars: He dives into first as the throw arives, safe!
20:58 westbaystars: Full count on Kawasaki.
20:59 westbaystars: Nobody out.
20:59 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is lifted high to the infield with Torigoe running.
20:59 westbaystars: Nakajima calls the ball near the second base bag, Torigoe turns around again.
20:59 westbaystars: Nakajima makes the catch, and Torigoe is safely back at first.
21:00 westbaystars: That brings us to the top of the order in Deguchi.
21:00 westbaystars: Deguchi shows bunt after the pitch, and takes strike one.
21:00 westbaystars: The second pitch is high and tight, ball one.
21:01 westbaystars: The third pitch is up high, ball two.
21:01 westbaystars: Noda looked like he wanted to throw somewhere, but held the ball.
21:01 westbaystars: Another throw to first.
21:02 westbaystars: The fourth pitch with Torigoe running (hit and run) is fouled off to the right side.
21:02 westbaystars: Torigoe returns to first, and Deguchi takes a new set of signs.
21:03 westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch is lifted into the fans on the right side behind the Hawks' dugout.
21:03 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is fouled back behind the back net.
21:04 westbaystars: The seventh pitch almost hits Deguchi's right (back) arm, taken for ball three.
21:04 westbaystars: Full count.
21:05 westbaystars: Torigoe is running on the pitch, that's fouled up the third base line.
21:05 westbaystars: Pitch number nine is lifted to left.
21:06 westbaystars: Wada comes in slowly, and makes the catch.
21:06 westbaystars: Torigoe returns to first.
21:06 westbaystars: Torigoe is putting a lot of pressure on Okamoto, but Okamoto has gotten the two batters nonetheless.
21:06 westbaystars: That brings up number two batter Shibahara.
21:07 westbaystars: After missing with the first pitch, Okamoto comes in and gets strike one called.
21:07 westbaystars: Okamoto then throws over to first.
21:08 westbaystars: Again to first.
21:08 westbaystars: The third pitch is low and away, Shibahara chasing the change up.
21:08 westbaystars: Strike two.
21:09 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is lined through the right side of the infield and into right field for a base hit.
21:09 westbaystars: He reached out and pulled the ball low ont he outside part of the plate.
21:09 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with two down and Iguchi at the plate.
21:10 westbaystars: Noda goes out and has a long talk with Okamoto.
21:10 westbaystars: Iguchi is 0 for 4 tonight.
21:10 westbaystars: ... so far.
21:11 westbaystars: The first pitch from Okamoto is taken outside for ball one.
21:11 westbaystars: The second pitch is fouled back, one and one.
21:12 westbaystars: Iguchi takes ball two.
21:12 westbaystars: The fourth pitch misses high, ball three.
21:12 westbaystars: Okamoto isn't thinking of loading the bases is he?
21:12 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is kind of high and tight, but called strike two, full count.
21:13 westbaystars: The sixth pitch with the runners on the move is lifted to right.
21:13 westbaystars: Not deep enough, though, as Satoh takes a couple of steps over and in to take in the ball.
21:13 westbaystars: That retires the side.
21:14 westbaystars: Going to the last inning, the score remains Seibu 1 - 4 Daiei
21:14 westbaystars: ---
21:14 westbaystars: --- Top of Nineth
21:14 westbaystars: ---
21:14 westbaystars: Coming in to close for the Hawks is Mise.
21:14 MHtrStevie: Tight situation, but Okamoto kept the Lions within striking distance...
21:14 westbaystars: He's the third Hawk pitcher of the night.
21:15 westbaystars: Mise had a record of 4 and 3 with 28 save and a 3.06 ERA in 55 appearances in 2004.
21:16 westbaystars: He tied for the Pacific League Fireman's Award.
21:16 westbaystars: Yea, Okamoto scaped by.
21:16 westbaystars: Number two batter Akada leads off for the Lions.
21:17 westbaystars: This is his first time up on the right handed side of the plate.
21:17 westbaystars: Facing left handed Mise.
21:18 westbaystars: Akada grounds the ball to third.
21:18 westbaystars: Torigoe fields the ball, throws a little high to first.
21:18 westbaystars: But Matsunaka manages to hold on as the speedy Akada comes by.
21:18 westbaystars: Out.
21:19 westbaystars: That brings up Fernandez, who is 0 for 4 during the season against Mise.
21:19 westbaystars: Fernandez lifts the ball high to the right side and foul.
21:19 westbaystars: Matsunaka runs out toward the right field corner.
21:19 westbaystars: He twists his body at the last second, and makes the catch.
21:19 westbaystars: Foul out for out number two.
21:20 westbaystars: The Lions are down to their last out with the Mighty Casey, I mean, Cabrera at the bat.
21:20 westbaystars: After taking ball one, Cabrera swings big and misses for strike one.
21:21 westbaystars: The third pitch is fouled off the umpire's face mask. Strike two.
21:21 MHtrStevie: Ato ikkyu!
21:21 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is way up high, taken for ball two, two and two.
21:21 westbaystars: Mise throws, in high, ball three. Full count.
21:22 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is taken, just missing inside for ball four.
21:22 westbaystars: Cabrera keeps the Lions' hopes alive.
21:22 westbaystars: Matsunaka gives Mise a word of encouragement.
21:23 westbaystars: And Wada stands in.
21:23 westbaystars: Wada has a double and home run on the night.
21:23 westbaystars: And takes ball one.
21:23 westbaystars: The second pitch is lined right to Iguchi at second!
21:23 westbaystars: Shiai shuryo.
21:23 westbaystars: ***
21:23 westbaystars: ***
21:23 westbaystars: *** Game Final
21:24 westbaystars: *** Seibu Lions 1 - 3 Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
21:24 westbaystars: ***
21:24 westbaystars: ***
21:24 westbaystars: That makes it two games apiece.
21:24 westbaystars: We go a fifth game tomorrow night.
21:25 Liono: down to u daisuke
21:25 westbaystars: The fans get ready to let loose their white "victory fusen."
21:25 MHtrStevie: That final score is 4-1 for the Hawks, right?
21:26 westbaystars: Kurano is announced the hero of the game.
21:26 westbaystars: Right! Argh!
21:26 westbaystars: ***
21:26 westbaystars: ***
21:26 westbaystars: *** Game Final
21:26 westbaystars: *** Seibu Lions 1 - 4 Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
21:26 westbaystars: ***
21:26 westbaystars: ***
21:27 MHtrStevie: That's a good choice... sounds like Kurano pitched a gem tonight.
21:27 westbaystars: Kawasaki is also called up as a secondary hero of the game.
21:28 westbaystars: He did. He didn't allow a Lion beyond second base.
21:28 westbaystars: And he had a quick pace.
21:28 MHtrStevie: Greetings, habs!
21:29 MHtrStevie: You just missed the end of the game...
21:30 habs: morning my timing is bad the last few games
21:30 westbaystars: Well, the last one is tomorrow.
21:31 westbaystars: Before the Japan Series.
21:31 westbaystars: It could well go either way.
21:33 westbaystars: If that's all, I'll get to work on putting the transcript up.
21:34 Liono: thanks
21:34 habs: sounds ok. holiday tomorrow so no work. Hope to joinyou on time.
21:35 MHtrStevie: All right... nice job again, Westbay-san! We've appreciated this all season...
21:35 westbaystars: Have a good day or evening, all. Take care.
21:36 MHtrStevie: I'll try to stop in briefly tomorrow, but sadly I still have work... =)
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(aka westbaystars)
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Some rights reserved.