May 22nd Andoh v Kaneko - Troubles continue

Tigers are planning to acquire Craig Brazell as their new foreign player. He did quite well for Seibu and may be an improvent on Mench. Sakai owner is not happy with things as they are and Toritani could be described as getting 'a rocket up his arse'. This game did not see any improvement but then it was against Kaneko who has created lots of difficulties for the Tigers. Box scores

           1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R  H E
Tigers     1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3  6 1
Buffaloes  0 2 0 0 1 1 3 1 X 8 14 0

Starting lineups

Tigers
1. Akahoshi (Centre)
2. Sekimoto (First)
3. Toritani (Short)
4. Kanemoto (Left)
5. Arai (Third)
6. Sakurai (Right)
7. Lin (DH)
8. Kanoh (Catcher)
9. Fujimoto (Second)

Pitcher was Andoh

Buffaloes
1. Ohmura (Left)
2. Ohbiki (Short)
3. Fernandez (DH)
4. LaRocca (Third)
5. Shimoyama (Right)
6. Okada (First)
7. Suzuki (Catcher)
8. Yamasaki (Second)
9. Sakaguchi (Centre)

Tigers start was auspicious with the offense getting to Kaneko straightaway. It all started with a Sekimoto 2 base hit. He hasn't been performing recently and so this was most welcome. Toritani then followed up with another two base hit driving in Sekimoto 1-0 Tigers, runner on second. Kanemoto walked and things looked quite promising but neither Arai or Sakurai were able to take things further and the innings ended. Andoh's start was secure enough - a hit to Fernandez but nothing else. Likewise, in Tigers second Kaneko gave up a hit to Fujimoto but nothing came of this. Andoh then ran into trouble from the bottom of the Buffaloes order in the 2nd and they never looked back. It started with a Shimoyama hit. This was followed by a two base hit by Suzuki putting runners on second and third with one out. The next batter, Yamasaki, hit driving both runners in 2-1 Buffaloes runner on first. However, Sakaguchi hit into a double play to end the innings and Tigers lead had gone. Tigers third was quiet with the batters falling in order. In Buffaloes third Ohbiki hit to centre and then stole second but the final batter LaRocca flew out. So far the Buffaloes had established a firm base to build on.

The fourth was quiet as both pitchers where in control. Tigers fifth saw Kanoh hit but then Fujimoto (when are we going to see the back of him?) hit into a double play and the innings went nowhere. With Buffaloes fifth Andoh ran into his fifth innings problems and after this innings Tigers would just haemorrage runs as the relief failed as well. With one out Sakaguchi hit. Another out followed and then Andoh let fly a wild pitch and Sakaguchi was now ensconsed on second. Ohbiki hit bringing Sakaguchi home 3-1 Buffaloes runner on first which became runner on second as Ohbiki stole successfully for the second time. Fernandez walked but LaRocca struck out to end the innings. Tigers sixth was quiet as Kaneko retired the batters in order. Kaneko's pitching really did shut the Tigers down and prevent them from creating any momentum. Buffaloes sixth saw another run. Okada hit but then tried to steal second and was thrown out. Suzuki, though, walked and then Yamasaki hit - a deep affair to centre and Suzuki flew round the bases and home 4-1 Buffaloes, runner on second. The final batter Sakaguchi lined out to end the innings.

Tigers needed to strike back and they did so in the seventh. Kanemoto hit a solo home run 4-2 Buffaloes and its nice to see he's started hitting them again. Arai walked and Sakurai hit setting up runners on first and third with no outs and Ohishi began to have visions of his lead disappearing. Kaneko disappeared to be replaced by Shimizu. He faced Imaoka (pinch hitter) who kindly hit into a double play. Arai was home 4-3 Buffaloes and the score was now close. The final batter was Kanoh who grounded out. Andoh was replaced by Watanabe for the seventh and he was abysmal putting the game beyond Tigers reach for good. Even though he is good with no runners on he has not pitched well and Mayumi's handling of the relief hasn't been good. With one out Watanabe gave up a two base hit to Ohbiki. Fernandez followed with a hit but great fielding by Toritani kept Ohbiki on second. LaRocca hammered out a two base and Ohbiki was home 5-3 Buffaloes, runners on second and third. Shimayama walked to load the bases and Mayumi decided that Watanabe should be replaced. A sound judgment and his choice of pitcher Egusa was also sound. However, Egusa wasn't good - he gave up a two base hit to Okada - two runners home 7-3 Buffaloes, runners on second and third. The next two batters flew out to end the innings without the score being added to but this capped a fine day for the bottom of the Buffaloes order. Katsuki was the next pitcher for the Tigers eighth and he walked Sekimoto but this was all as the rest of the Tigers batters did nothing. In Buffaloes eighth Tsutsui (the new pitcher) gave up a hit to Sakaguchi and then an error from Fujimoto allowed another runner on. Ohbiki walked and Buffaloes batters started to look for a sacrifice fly (though why escapes me as a 7-3 lead should lead to a bit more adventurous). Anyway the first attempt by Kitagawa failed but Shiozaki (replacement third) was successful 8-3 Buffaloes runners on first and second. The final batter struck out to end the innings which was a bit of a waste by the Buffaloes. Tigers ninth was pitched by Ohkubo who got the first out but then walked Arai, Sakurai and Hiyama (pinch hitter) in succession to load the bases. He was replaced very quickly by Katoh who faced Okazaki (replacement catcher). He hit into a double play and finished off the game. Buffaloes victory.

Tigers pitching had been completely crushed as Buffaloes embarassed a supposedly better side. Why Fujimoto is still in the side is still a mystery as he is not effective. The use of Okazaki is also questionable and Mayumi doesn't seem to have much perception of how to chose his teams. His handling of the relief was much better and he can't be blamed for their failure this time though something needs to be done about Watanabe soon as he is struggling.