April 26th Cheng v Shinoda - Atchison balks

Cheng made his first start for Tigers but didn't figure in the result. A dubious balk contributed to the Carp win. One also has to question, Baldris playing at second. He is not the equal of the on form Hirano. He adds nothing to the team. Mayumi needs to put out his best team not switch players like this. Box scores

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

Tigers
1. Akahoshi (Centre)
2. Sekimoto (First)
3. Toritani (Short)
4. Kanemoto (Left)
5. Arai (Short)
6. Sakurai (Right)
7. Baldris (Second)
8. Kanoh (Catcher)
9. Cheng (Pitcher)

Carp
1. Higashide (Second)
2. Akamatsu (Centre)
3. Amaya (Right)
4. Seabol (First)
5. Shima (Left)
6. Ishihara (Catcher)
7. Ishii (Third)
8. Soyogi (Short)
9. Shinoda (Catcher)

This game would revolve around pitching but Tigers would be robbed by umpiring stupidity. This is not to say Shinoda pitched badly. In fact, he was excellent. Cheng in his first match was nervous but also was secure and showed a huge amount of promise. In Tigers first, Shinoda wasn't secure though, with two outs he walked Toritani and Kanemoto to set up runners on first and second. However, Arai flew out and the innings ended. So to Cheng's first innings in Japanese baseball. With one out he gave up a two base hit to Akamatsu. Next was Amaya who hit to Toritani. He focused on keeping Akamatsu off third and so the hit went through but Carp were left with runners on first and second. Seabol grounded into a double play and the innings was over. Shinoda was very comfortable in the Tigers second, retiring the batters in order. In Carp's second Cheng gave up a two out two base hit to Ishihara but then proceeded to get the next out and the innings was scoreless. The third was quiet for both sides with batters falling in order.

The Tigers fourth was also quiet as Shinoda kept control of his game. Carp fourth saw Seabol hit but Cheng ensured that he didn't get beyond first. Tigers fifth saw Shinoda falter but survive. Sakurai engineered a lead off hit. Two outs later, Cheng hit followed by Akahoshi to load the bases. However, Sekimoto flew out and the innings ended. The first two batters in Carp's fifth fell easily but then Shinoda hit. This was followed by a Higashide walk to set up runners on first and second but the next batter, Akamatsu flew out to second. Shinoda ran into trouble in Tigers sixth. He walked Toritani and two outs later Toritani stole second. Sakurai hit to left and Toritani was home 1-0 Tigers, runner on first. Sakurai then tried to steal second but was thrown out and the innings was over. Cheng was excellent in the Carp sixth retiring the batters in order and preserving the lead.

Tigers seventh was pitched by Shinoda who kept the batters quiet. Carp seventh was pitched by Atchison and he ran into problems with the umpires. To recount the innings, Ishihara lined out but then Ishii and Soyogi walked. Here the umpire decided that Atchison had balked. I must confess to being sceptical about this. Atchison knows Japan and given the situation it is very unlikely that he would have balked. Kida (pinch hitter) took a swing and managed a partially lucky bloop hit to right and both runners made home 2-1 Carp, runner on first. Atchison was replaced by Egusa who got the next two outs but I would suggest the home plate umpire contemplate retirement. It's all he's good for. Schultz pitched the Tigers eighth and not only has he been able to retire Tigers batters but he has done it consistently. Today was no different. Egusa continued in Carp eighth and retired the batters in order. Tigers ninth was pitched by Nagakawa who once again was shakey. He gave up a one out hit to Sakurai who made second on a wild pitch. With two out Hiyama was deliberately walked and then Kanoh hit to right.. Arai tried for home but nice fielding saw him tagged out at the home plate for the final out. Carp victory.

An undeserved victory for the Carp. They were helped in this case by the questionable balk. Cheng had pitched very well and deserved his first victory but it was not to be. Shinoda had also pitched well but without the balk wouldn't have had enough for the victory.


[Edited by: Christopher on Apr 27, 2009 12:59 PM]