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
So at the bottom of the seventh Tigers were comfortably in control (though with a narrow lead). Shimoyanagi though wasn't - after all it was his first start of the season. He gave up a leadoff hit and the batter advanced to second on an error. A Matsunaka ground out moved him to third and to avoid the sacrifice fly Shimoyanagi walked Kokubo. His pitching then disintergrated and he gave up four runs to put the Hawks firmly in control. Shimoyanagi was replaced by Abe who had no trouble but Tigers never threatened after that.