September 11th Messenger v Masabuchi - The end of the dream

Mayumi came in for a lot of abuse from angry Tigers fans at Jingu on Sunday. With Tigers seven games behind the Swallows now the focus needs to shift to securing a playoff place (which might be difficult). Being swept by the Swallows wasn't pretty and once again we saw Fujii replaced and his successor fail. This was after some good work by the Tigers to get back into the game. There was the inevitable error of course - but with a reduction to just one in a game I suppose we can count this as an improvement. Tigers haven't really played to their best this series and to my mind this is a problem with the management/coaching team. Replacing these guys would go a long way to solving the teams problems as long as the replacements are actually better. It is possible to find another old boy even worse than Mayumi and on that cheery thought we move to the scores.

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

Starting lineups

Tigers
1. Hirano (Second)
2. Shibata (Centre)
3. Toritani (Short)
4. Arai (Third)
5. Murton (Right)
6. Kanemoto (Left)
7. Morita (First)
8. Fujii (Catcher)
9. Messenger (Pitcher)

Swallows
1. Aoki (Centre)
2. Tanaka (Second)
3. Kawabata (Short)
4. Hatakeyama (First)
5. Takeuchi (Left)
6. Miyamoto (Third)
7. Balentien (Right)
8. Aikawa (Catcher)
9. Masabuchi (Pitcher)

This was not a satisfactory result by any means. Swallows production per run was rather good - they managed three hits of which two scored two runs each. This is certainly a case of making the most of what you get. Tigers were a bit more traditional and only scored 2 runs from 7 hits. The game started with both Hirano and Shibata failing to get on base. Toritani walked but Arai struck out looking - maybe this was going to be another quiet game for him. Messenger was much better and all three starting batsmen grounded out. Tigers second followed this pattern and both starters settled down to throw some fine stuff. Batters were all a bit nonplussed. Swallows second was quiet with no one reaching base and Takeuchi collecting a strike out looking. Tigers third was quiet but then Messenger walked the first batter in Swallows third, this being Balentien. He was bunted to second by Aikawa and then third by Masabuchi. At least it was clear that Swallows weren't going to score from this chance and Aoki grounded out weakly to Fujii to end the innings.

Masabuchi continued to pitch well retiring the Tigers batters in order iin the fourth but Messenger didn't have the same control. Once again a lead off walk was the catalyst. This was Tanaka and Kawabata tried to hit but flew out. Hatakeyama managed to hit to third which put runners on first and second. The second out fell, Takeuchi striking out looking again and it did rather look as if Tigers were going to get out of the innings without damage. Enter Miyamoto and he hit deep into left bringing home the runner on second but poor throwing meant that Hatakeyama was also able to make home 2-0 Swallows, runner on second. Facing Balentien, Messenger let fly a wild pitch which took Miyamoto to third. Plans changed and Balentien was deliberately walked to get at Aikawa. This didn't work out and poor calling guaranteed that Aikawa walked in four to load the bases. However, the final batter was the pitcher and Masabuchi grounded out to second but on a full count. Tigers had really got into a funk this innings and were lucky to get out of it with only two runs damage. Murton led off Tigers fifth with a single to centre. He made second on Kanemoto's ground out. Unfortunately, Morita flew out - it is all very well wanting to develop youth but this sort of situation needs a Sekimoto or Lin not a Morita. Finally, we had Fujii who as usual screwed up and struck out swinging. After his funk of the fourth Messenger was on form in the Swallows fifth and retired the batters in order. Tigers managed to do something in their sixth. With one out Hirano walked. Shibata hit to short who wasn't able to get the throw away in time and Tigers had runners on first and second. Toritani lined out to third but Arai hit to right driving in a run 2-1 Swallows, runners on second and third. If truth be told though, this was a missed opportunity - Shibata is supposed to be fast and should have tried for home. Instead he was held up on third. This was the end of Masabuchi and he was replaced by Matsui. He faced Murton who grounded out to the pitcher to end the innings. Messenger pitched a nice sixth innings and the Swallows batters fell in order.

Tigers seventh saw the demise of Fujii who would be pinch hit for. The innings was pitched by Oshimoto who hadn't been impressive the night before. He did give up a hit to Lin (pinch hitter) but Sekimoto (the next pinch hitter) was a bit too keen and flew out to left to and the innings. Tigers used Watanabe for the Swallows seventh. He was very good and retired the batters in order. Tigers eighth was pitched by Kyuko who found his record run stopped suddenly. It all happened like this - Hirano hit to centre and was bunted to second by Shibata. Toritani hit right and and Hirano charged home 2-2 scores tied, runner on first. This brought a quick pitching changed and Matsuoka took over. Arai hit comfortably to centre and Tigers now had runners on first and second. Next was Murton who hasn't looked that comfortable at No. 5 and certainly hasn't driven in the runs expected for the position. He lined his first pitch out to short to end the innings. Still Tigers were level and things were looking up. It didn't last long - Enokida pitched the Swallows eighth, the sensible choice for the innings. He was pitching to Komiyama - not so sensible but judging the paucity of catching talent currently being used not unexpected. Enokida retired the first two batters but then walked Kawabata. Next was Hatakeyama who drove the ball nicely into the left centre stand for a two run home run 4-2 Swallows. All the hard work had been undone in a moment because Tigers management insist on employing sub-standard catchers. Finally, Iihara grounded out but the Swallows had the game as good as won. The next pitcher was Lim who Tigers have never mastered. This was to be the case this game - Lim struck out Hiyama (pinch hitter) and Morita swinging and then induced a ground out from Shunsuke (replacement left). Swallows victory.

Brazell is due to return around the 17th and his power is certainly needed. It is not exaggerating to say that this was a crucial series and that Tigers blew it. Once again they had lacked the mental strength to play at the level needed to take the championship. For this we have to blame the management team as much as the players. It is Mayumi's job to inspire and motivate the players which he is clearly incapable of doing. The annoying thing is Tigers have the talent - they have more talent than the other teams. However, other teams release the talent, Tigers don't.