April 11th Nohmi v Tono - Nohmi improves but still loses

Mayumi lost his second series and his first against the Giants. Once again he pitched Nohmi as a starter and even though the latter's performance was much improved he still didn't look like a first team player. Tono on the other hand had the Tigers completely under his thumb and only gave up one hit over his six and a bit innings. Mayumi did shuffle the side, Mench was benched and Katsuragi started in the right field. Sakurai also started for the first time this season at centre in place of Akahoshi. This really didn't make much difference. Box scores

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

Starting lineups

Tigers
1. Sakurai (Centre)
2. Hirano (Second)
3. Toritani (Short)
4. Kanemoto (Left)
5. Arai (Third)
6. Sekimoto (First)
7. Katsuragi (Right)
8. Kanoh (Catcher)
9. Nohmi (Pitcher)

Giants
1. Suzuki (Centre)
2. Kimura (Second)
3. Ogasawara (Third)
4. Ramirez (Left)
5. Tani (Right)
6. Alfonzo (First)
7. Sakamoto (Short)
8. Tsuruoka (Catcher)
9. Tono (Pitcher)

Tono started nervously, dead-balling Sakurai. He was bunted to second by Hirano and then made third on a Toritani ground out. This brought up Kanemoto who Tono walked to set up runners on first and third with two outs. Arai, though, struck out to end the innings without a score. Nohmi also started nervously but with more serious consequences. Suzuki hit and Giants added another runner with Ogasawara's hit. Nohmi then walked Ramirez to load the bases with one out. Tani was next and he hit to left to drive in two runners 2-0 Giants, runners on first and second, one out. This seemed to wake Nohmi up and struck out the next two batters to end the innings. Tigers second was quiet, Tono retiring the batters in order. Nohmi continued in his enhanced mode in the Giants second striking out all three batters he faced. In Tigers third Tono issued his second dead ball, a two out affair which hit Hirano but this was the last Tigers runner who would get on base during Tono's session. The final batter, Toritani flew out. Nohmi likewise dominated the Giants in their third, retiring the batters in order.

The fourth was quiet, both pitchers being in control. Tigers fifth was also quiet and though Nohmi walked a batter in the bottom he struck out the other three batters he faced and nothing came of it. This really was Nohmi showing what he can do. Of course, Kanoh was once again excellent behind the plate. The sixth was quiet as well. Tono began to run out of steam in the seventh. He faced Kanemoto and gave up a leadoff two base hit. This was followed by a two base from Arai but Kanemoto only made third. Sekimoto grounded out to first and Kanemoto went for home but the throw was good and he was caught and tagged out on the base path by Tsuruoka. Arai and Sekimoto advanced to third and second respectively. Tono exited here to be replaced by Yamaguchi who still gives up runs. Imaoka (pinch hitter) was next and he grounded out to third but this time Arai was able to make home 2-1 Giants runner on second. This is where it ended, with Kanoh grounding out to second. Nohmi returned for the Giants seventh as Mayumi tried to get seven innings out of a pitcher again. He got Alfonzo to ground out but then gave up a two base hit to Sakamoto. Nohmi was clearly tiring and a hit and walk loaded the bases despite lots of encouragement from the coaches and his colleagues. At this point Mayumi summoned Atchison who struck out Abe (pinch hitter). He then faced Kimura and in a mistake left a pitch that was too inviting to hit. Kimura drove the ball into right field for a two base hit driving in two runners 4-1 Giants. There was a clear contrast though between Mench and Sakurai. Kamei, the third runner was heading for home but Sakurai's pick up and throw were perfect. The relay to Kanoh was also perfectly placed and the Tigers catcher blocked home successfully and tagged the runner out to end the innings. However, at this stage it was looking very likely that the Tigers would lose.

Tigers eighth was quiet, the batters all grounding out to short. Giants eighth saw Abe take the mound for Tigers. He gave up a two base hit to Ramirez and then deliberately walked Lee. Kajimae (pinch running for Ramirez) then tried to steal third but a pinpoint throw from Kanoh saw him tagged out. At the same time Terauchi (replacement third) struck out and the innings ended. Tigers ninth of course saw Kroon. With one out he walked Kanemoto but the Tigers left stayed on first as Arai and Sekimoto fell quickly to end the match. Giants victory.

Tigers batting had been poor but it had faced some very good pitching by Tono. Nohmi had been better but one still has question marks about him. Mayumi shouldn't have brought him back for the seventh which is where Tigers victory chances disappeared. Kanoh was once again excellent behind the plate and is really turning into a good catcher.