April 15th Kubo v Asakura - Luck can't save the Dragons

Kanemoto's consecutive game streak ended in this contest. Even though he was at the plate this does not count as an appearance and when Shunsuke was thrown out trying to steal Kanemoto did not get another chance as he was pinch hitting. The decision to attempt the steal though was the right one - getting Shunsuke into a scoring position was a worthwhile move even though it didn't come off on this occasion. Scores

         1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R  H E
Tigers   0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 10 1
Dragons  0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 4  7 0 

Starting lineups

Tigers
1. Murton (Right)
2. Hirano (Second)
3. Toritani (Short)
4. Arai (Third)
5. Brazell (First)
6. Lin (Left)
7. Johjima (Catcher)
8. Shunsuke (Centre)
9. Kubo (Pitcher)

Dragons
1. Araki (Short)
2. Ibata (Second)
3. Morino (Third)
4. Wada (Left)
5. Guzman (Right)
6. Blanco (First)
7. Ohshima (Centre)
8. Tanishige (Catcher)
9. Asakura (Pitcher)

Asakura had trouble with his arm throughout his pitching session but started well retiring the Tigers in order in the first. Kubo was less secure - no doubt aware that Nagado has been Tigers graveyard for many years. In fact the last time Tigers won their first game at the stadium was back in 2004. With two out Morino hit a nice two base to right. Wada walked and this brought up Guzman who obligingly steered his first pitch to Arai at third - end of the first innings with no score. Brazell managed Tigers first hit in their second. Lin followed and hit to third which set up the double play. Brazell was out but Lin made first safely showing a nice turn of speed. Johjima flew out though and the innings was over. In Dragons second Tanishige hit - he would do well against Kubo but with Asakura the final batter nothing came of this. Things started to happen in the Tigers third. Asakura had shown signs of trouble with his arm in the Tigers second but seemed to have overcome this at first. In fact he struck out Shunsuke (this was an inept at bat) and Kubo but then he walked Murton. Hirano was next and drove nicely into centre setting up runners on first and second. Toritani followed and he drove the ball along the first baseline above Blanco and into the corner which at Nagoya generally means a three base hit. This is exactly what ensued with Murton and Hirano charging home 2-0 Tigers runner on third. Arai followed, his favourite spot is the gap between second base and short but he also hits very well into right centre and this is what he proceeded to do bringing Toritani home 3-0 Tigers, runner on first. Brazell tried to blast one deep but flew out to centre to end the innings. However, the Tigers had established a very good lead. Kubo needed to hold this and he responded in style retiring the three Dragons batters to protect the lead. Ibata's out brought a nice bit of fielding from Lin. Ibata hit to left and running in Lin took a very fine catch near his ankle to dismiss the Dragons' second.

Asakura faced Lin in the fourth - Lin's bat speed is phenomenal and his second pitch was driven along the first baseline hitting the foul pole for a solo home run 4-0 Tigers. Johjima flew out - his timing is not quite there yet. Shunsuke was next and he is deceptive. One thinks a slightly built player like him is not a major threat but he has a noticeable ability to hit deep. He also dispatched a loose pitch into the stands for a solo home run 5-0 Tigers. Kubo struck out and then Murton grounded out to end the innings but Tigers were clearly in the driving seat. Kubo managed to keep them there in the Dragons fourth though not without some work. With one out Guzman took a dead ball on his arm - it was painful but he was OK in the end. Blanco drove to third which set up the double play - the throw to Hirano was good and Guzman was out. As he slid in his momentum took out Hirano and Tigers couldn't turn the double play - just one of those things. Blanco was safe on first but then Ohshima grounded out to end the innings. Kobayashi pitched Tigers fifth - Ochiai having decided that Asakura couldn't continue. His sidearm pitching baffled the Tigers batters and they fell in order. Up until this point Kubo had been in control but gave up a lead off hit to Tanishige. Saeki (pinch hitter) flew out but Araki drove nicely along the third baseline to set up runners on second and third. Ibata was next and he grounded out which brought the runner home 5-1 Tigers but good fielding kept Araki on second. So with two outs Tigers only needed the third. This would be Morino who drove deep into centre. Now Shunsuke is a fine player and is great in the close and middle outfield but suspect when he gets near a fence or wall. This was one of those occasions. Shunsuke running back got a good contact with his glove on the ball and dropped it. Akahoshi would have never spilled one of these. The upshot was that Araki was home and Morino was on second 5-2 Tigers. Morino looked agreived because it wasn't a hit but an error. Wada followed and hit straight into centre. Morino had enough to beat the throw and it was 5-3 Tigers, runner on first. Dragons tails were up (an interesting image comes to mind) and Guzman hit to set up runners on first and third. However, Blanco propelled one into orbit and when it came down it landed safely in Shunsuke's glove ending the innings and preserving Tigers lead. Dragons pitcher for Tigers sixth was Kawai who started poorly giving up a hit to Brazell. Dragons then had a fantastic piece of luck. Lin walloped a Kawai curve into right but somehow Blanco was able to snag it in his glove and tag the base for a double play. Very fortunate indeed because the shot had two base written all over it and the camera had already panned into right to follow the ball. Johjima walked and then Shunsuke hit a two base to right - runners on second and third. Ochiai decided that Kawai was not a good idea and changed pitchers to Suzuki. There then followed a fascinating battle between him and Sekimoto which ended in Sekimoto walking to load the bases. Mayumi had decided to go with the pinch hitter instead of Kubo - undoubtedly the right decision. Next was Murton who managed to ground out to second to end the innings. As Kubo had been pulled Tigers needed a pitcher to bridge the gap between the starter and relief and this was Watanabe. He was excellent - remaining cool and battling the three batters he faced but ensuring that they didn't reach base. A superb piece of pitching.

Mise pitched Tigers seventh and with two outs gave up a hit to Arai. However, Brazell grounded out and no score resulted. In Dragons seventh (I really hate the Dragons song) Kubota took the mound. He touched 154 kph at his fastest but did walk Morino with two out. However, this didn't affect his next out Wada, who was the recepient of the 154 kph straight for his second pitch and grounded out - totally overwhelmed by it. Kawahara pitched Tigers eighth and he managed to walk Shunsuke. Kanemoto followed and here we saw the failed steal. Kobayashi pitched the eighth and retired the batters in order - the first time he has done this for Tigers and a sign he is settling in. Hirai took Tigers ninth and managed to give up a hit to the irrepresable Hirano. Toritani struck out looking though and the innings was over. Kyuji, of course, pitched the ninth and got Tanishige to fly out. Then despite the stiching on his glove he manage to give up a home run to Fukuda who had been inserted as a pinch hitter by a desperate Ochiai 5-4 Tigers. What Fujikawa was doing giving up a home run to a non batter is anyone's guess but it made final stages interesting to say the least. The next two batters were Araki and Ibata who were struck out by a mortified Fujikawa making sure he didn't mess up the victory. Tigers victory.

The score does seem close but apart from the slip by Fujikawa Tigers were never really in danger of losing. Fujikawa picked up his third save but realy needs to tighten up. Kubo got the win and we saw some nice batting from Tigers. Brazell has yet to fire and drive in runners but both Toritani and Arai are looking good. Shunsuke has been the real revalation and if he can cure his issues in deep outfield he really will be a dangerous player. This was a very good victory and one which shows the Tigers strengths.