This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
It is my sincere hope that once you learn a bit about what we're about here that you will join the community of contributors.
Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
Starting lineups
Carp
1. Akamatsu (Centre)
2. Higashide (Second)
3. Bardon (Third)
4. Kurihara (First)
5. Hirose (Right)
6. Kokubo (Short)
7. Matsuyama (Left)
8. Aizawa (Catcher)
9. Ohtake (Pitcher)
Tigers
1. Hirano (Second)
2. Shibata (Centre)
3. Toritani (Short)
4. Arai (Third)
5. Brazell (First)
6. Murton (Right)
7. Kanemoto (Left)
8. Komiyama (Catcher)
9. Nohmi (Pitcher)
There was a sense that things were different with Carp's first innings. Komiyama calling and Nohmi pitching struck out the top of the Carp batting order. Tigers though they didn't score started positively. Hirano hit right and was bunted to second. Toritani hit left to set up runners on first and third but neither Arai not Brazell converted and the innings was scoreless. Carp still couldn't get on base in their second and another scoreless innings was the result. Instead of the wasteful calling of Fujii, Komiyama was economical and focused. Tigers second saw the Tigers catcher hit a two base but with the next batter Nohmi there was very little likelihood of a run and the innings was also scoreless. Finally with one out in Carp's third Aizawa singled right. He was bunted to second by Ohtake but Akamatsu flew out to left and no score resulted. Hirano hit a grounder to short which resulted in an error. Leading off Tigers third, Hirano tried to go too far though and was out. Another out followed and then Toritani walked but Arai flew out to right.
Carp's fourth was quiet with each batter collecting a ground out. Two outs started Tigers fourth and then Kanemoto singled. Komiyama also singled and Tigers had runners on first and second. Once again the next batter was Nohmi who struck out swinging again. Carp's fifth? Quiet of course - nothing seemed to phase the Nohmi/Komiyama combination. Hirano led off Tigers fifth with a single. Shibata grounded out to first which took Hirano to second but then Ohtake was able to get both Toritani and Arai out to end the innings. Despite scattering hits around Ohtake was also pitching very nicely and preventing the scoring shots. Carp's second and last hit came in their sixth. This surprisingly was a one out single to Ohtake and was just pure luck. Nohmi made sure that Ohtake stayed on first retiring the next two batters smoothly. Tigers sixth was also quiet - no runner reaching base.
Nohmi struck out Bardon looking and Kurihara swinging to start Carp's seventh and then induced a flyout from Hirose. It was all pretty easy and he was pitching really well. Tigers seventh was similar, none of the batters reaching base and the game was in a watching mode. Carp collected their first and only walk in their eighth. Matsuyama walking with one out. This was immediately extinguished with a double play from Aizawa. Finally, something cracked and Tigers broke open the game in the eighth. Shibata hit deep to right centre and tore round the bases to reach third. Toritani walked to set up runners on first and third with no outs and Tigers were in with a great chance. Carp rapidly switched pitchers and Kishimoto took over. He let go a wild pitch which moved Toritani out of the danger zone to second. However, Arai flew out for the first out. Carp changed pitchers again with Aoki facing Brazell. Brazell hit his first pitch to centre bringing home both runners 2-0 Tigers, runner on first. Murton then hit into a double play but Tigers had the game sown up. Of course Carp's ninth was pitched by Kyuji who was on form. He got Amaya (pinch hitter) to ground out to short first pitch. Then Maru (pinch hitter) struck out swinging. Finally, Higashide snatched at one and flew out to Toritani at short to end the game. Tigers victory.
A fine piece of pitching by Nohmi - he had thrown 98 pitches over eight innings for two hits and one walk. It had been a brilliant display and he fully deserved his victory. Nohmi now stands at 11-9. Kyuji had picked up his 39th save. Tigers had actually done well over this 13 game run with a 9-4 record. Seven games remain. However, the great news was the resignation of Mayumi which when it came was a relief. There is now a chance to recruit a new and able manager and to fully utilise the talent available.