May 4th Iwata v Ogawa - Swallows tongues in aspic

It seems Fukudome did pick up an injury in the previous game which was why he was replaced. He twisted his leg and was also held out of this game. Iwata returned and not even Wada was stupid enough to pair him with Fujii again. However, he paired him not with Komiyama but used his other superannuated mediocre catcher - Hidaka. Fujii would make an appearance later on when Hidaka was well on his way to blowing the game (from a six run lead no less) and nearly finish the work by managing to give two more runs. To be fair Tigers did sit on their lead but do fans really have to endure these second rate extras behind the plate? Let's move on and lay the shibboleth of experience in its grave. Scores

          1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R  H E
Swallows  0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 2 6 14 1
Tigers    6 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 X 7 11 1

Starting Lineups

Swallows
1. Hiyane (Centre)
2. Hiroyasu Tanaka (Second)
3. Milledge (Left)
4. Balentien (Right)
5. Hatakeyama (First)
6. Miyamoto (Third)
7. Morioka (Short)
8. Masahiko Tanaka (Catcher)
9. Ogawa (Pitcher)

Tigers
1. Nishioka (Second)
2. Yamato (Centre)
3.Toritani (Short)
4. Murton (Left)
5. Ryota Arai (Third)
6. Takahiro Arai (First)
7. Itoh (Right)
8. Hidaka (Catcher)
9. Iwata (Pitcher)

Iwata was a bit more comfortable with Hidaka but the latter still wasn't an ideal catcher to team with Tigers maverick. Hiyane started the game by hitting to third where Ryota fumbled allowing the runner to reach first safely. Of course Ogawa instructed the bunt which Hiroyasu Tanake did so and Tigers fans could relax - runner on second. However, things were not quite settled oon the Iwata front and Milledge singled right to set up runners on first and third. Balentien swung too early and flew out in foul ground and then Hatakeyama grounded out to short to end the innings. Ogawa's start was a disaster. Nishioka singled rapidly and of course Wada also followed the bunt stupidity path. Ogawa fielded and threw to second for the force out leaving Yamato on first. He then stole second - much better play here. Toritani hit to centre which set up runners on the corner - a similar situation to Swallows first. However, here Murton did not fly out but got hold of a high straight and blasted it into the left stand for a three run home run 3-0 Tigers. Ryota doubled nicely and Arai walked - runners on first and second. Itoh hit to first who threw wildly to third and Ryota was able to make home 4-0 Tigers, runners on first and third. Then Hidaka drove nicely to right centre for a double which brought both runners in 6-0 Tigers, runner on second. Iwata struck out swinging and Nishioka flew out in foul ground. Tigers were in control but would go to sleep and almost squander things. Iwata retired the first two batters in Swallows second but then walked Masahiko Tanaka. However, Ogawa who survived despite his battering in the first flew out to end the innings. He proved just as shaky in Tigers second. Yamato flew out to centre but then Toritani walked. Murton hit a two base to right centre - runners on second and third. Ryota flew out to centre but not far enough and then Arai grounded out to third. Swallows had escaped. Swallows third saw Iwata dominant and none of the batters occupied him for long though Hiroyasu Tanaka did need a jumping catch from Murton. Itoh led off Tigers third with a single. Hidaka grounded out to short forcing out Itoh but making first safely himself. With one out the hit was the obvious choice but Wada had to have Iwata bunt and Iwata failed with three attempts. Nishioka walked but Yamato could only ground out to short.

Balentien led off Swallows fourth with a nice line drive to centre. Hatakeyama struck out swinging and then Miyamoto lined out straight to Arai at first. Arai was also able to catch Balentien off base for the double play and the end of the innings. With Toritani out Murton hit into left for another double. Ryota walked and then Arai hit weakly to Ogawa who was able to work the double play and get out of that bind. So far Tigers had kept the score intact but this was due to change. If there is one innings that is a danger innings for Iwata it is the fifth. This one proved to be no exception. Morioka led off the innings with a single. Masahiko Tanaka struck out looking but then Nitta (pinch hitter) singled to put runners on first and second. Hiyane hit left which loaded the bases and then Hiroyasu Tanaka hit deep to right for the sacrifce fly 6-1 Tigers, runners on first and third. It all seemed a bit unambitious but it was a start. Milledge also flew out and Tigers still had a big lead. Shoda took over for Tigers fifth and retired the batters in order. Iwata was due to pitch the Swallows sixth. This was perhaps a mistake as he had already thrown 93 pitches. His first pitch to Balentien was plumb in the middle of the zone and was hammered into the backscreen for a solo home run 6-2 Tigers. Hatakeyama singled right and things looked troubling but Miyamoto hit into a double play; Ryota not dropping the ball this time. Finally Morioka hit a liner to Nishioka to end the innings. Swallows were beginning to creep closer and Tigers needed to wake up. Nishioka provided the impetus with a lead off triple in Tigers sixth. Yamato doubled left to bring him in 7-2 Tigers, runner second. Then Tigers stalled - the next three batters, try as they might could not move him off second but there was an insurance run in place. It would be needed.

Andoh took over the pitching duties and didn't do well with Hidaka. Masahiko Tanaka singled left. Takeuchi (pinch hitter) flew out but Hiyane doubled right - runners on second and third. This time Hiroyasu Tanaka made no mistake and hit through the infield to left bringing in both runners 7-4 Tigers, runner on second. Things were getting close. Milledge walked but Balentien struck out swinging. It was all down to Hatakeyama but he grounded out weakly to Andoh to end the innings. Roman pitched Tigers seventh and gave up a lead off single to Arai. He was pinch run for by Saka who was stupidly bunted to second by Itoh. Hidaka flew out which moved Saka round to third but Hiyama (pinch hitter) struck out swinging. The whole innings had been rather ineptly handled. Fujii replaced Hidaka as catcher - one wonders why he didn't pinch hit for Hidaka as he was more likely to hit. Fukuhara was the pitcher and we saw more mediocrity in calling. Miyamoto led the innings off with a single to right. Morioka grounded out to second but did move Miyamoto to second. Masahiko Tanaka flew out and then Takeuchi singled as well setting up runners on first and third. Hiyane though swung too soon and flew out to Nishioka to end the innings. Tigers had escaped. Toritani walked in Tigers eighth with two out but nothing came of this as Murton struck out looking. Kubo pitched Swallows ninth and Tigers only just survived the experience. Two outs went down with the usual Fujii waste of pitches and then Balentien doubled right. Iwamura (pinch hitter) was next and he hit his fifth straight hard to right for a two run home run 7-6 Tigers. Miyamoto hit a grounder back to Kubo for the final out and the end of the game. Tigers victory.

All credit to the Swallows for fighting back and pushing the Tigers hard. No credit to the Tigers for taking their feet off the Swallows necks and allowing them back into the game. Neither 'senior' catcher had shown any particular ability and Tigers had needed the insurance run in the sixth. Iwata had picked up the victory but the sooner he and Komiyama are restored as a team the better.