June 28th Standridge v Takeuchi - The Carp implode

This was one of those unlikely victories that happen when the Tigers are involved. Down three runs in the eighth having been shut out over 7 innings, Tigers looked out of it. Carp had just switched to the relief who blew the game comprehensively in the eighth giving up six runs. Tigers had also started the abysmal Hidaka who was not only out of his depth batting six but was in a similar situation behind the plate. He was replaced by the just as feeble Imanari suggesting serious issues with Fujii. Even so Fujii was fit enough to be able to call the ninth and one never thought one would say this but it was a relief when the rotund one took over. The obvious solution of bringing up Komiyama is being resisted by the coaching team who are determined to demonstrate their gross stupidity. Wada and his crowd of morons do not deserve the batting lineup and commitment they have. Scores

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

Starting Lineup

Carp
1. Lewis (Left)
2. Kikuchi (Second)
3. Maru (Centre)
4. Eldred (First)
5. Matsuyama (Right)
6. Aizawa (Catcher)
7. Abe (Short)
8. Dobayashi (Third)
9. Takeuchi (Pitcher)

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

The game started very nicely with the Carp batters going down in order. Nishioka led off the Tigers first by working a walk. Yamato shaped to bunt but after two failures tried to hit and flew out to second. This unfortunately led to Nishioka being caught off base and being out as well. Toritani struck out looking to end the innings. Carp still struggled to get runners on - the second was similar to the first. Arai walked with one out in Tigers second and was able to take second on Hidaka's ground out. Ryota also grounded out though and the innings was scoreless. Finally, Carp managed a hit Abe leading off their third with a single to right. Dobayashi went for it and hit into a double play and then Takeuchi struck out swinging. Tigers third was quiet with no one getting on base at all.

Having discovered they could hit Standridge Carp exploited the fact. Lewis led off the fourth with a walk and then was bunted to second. Normally, this would have meant a quiet innings but Maru singled right to bring in Lewis 1-0 Carp, runner on first. Eldred singled to centre to put runners on first and second. Matsuyama grounded out forcing out Eldred but evading the double play and reaching first safely. Maru took third. Aizawa singled right to bring in another run 2-0 Carp and the runners took second and third as well. Abe flew out though. Tigers response was non-existant with the batters falling in order in the fourth. Carp's fifth was quiet - no one on base. Arai led Tigers fifth off with a ground out to third who fumbled - Carp's fielding would be poor and costly later in the game. He didn't get further and was caught up in a one out double play by his brother ending the innings. With one out in Carp's sixth Maru singled and stole second. Still Eldred flew out and it seemed that Tigers would escape damage. It wasn't to be Matsuyama singled bringing in the run 3-0 Carp, runner on first. Standridge balked moving Matsuyama to second but then Aizawa flew out ending the innings. Tigers sixth was quiet with everyone grounding out but we saw Saka pinch hit for Standridge.

Tsutsui pitched Carp's seventh and importantly retired the batters in order but one had to be honest and admit that the Carp were in control of the game and cruising to victory. Yamato led off Tigers seventh with a single to centre. Toritani flew out but on the very first pitch that Murton faced Yamato stole second. Murton drove the ball into centre to bring home Yamato 3-1 Carp, runner on first. Arai struck out and then Imanari (replacement catcher) grounded out. Tsutsui struck out Lewis looking to start Carp's eighth and then walked Kikuchi. Maru's ground out resulted in Kikuchi being forced out. Eldred was next and he doubled right. Maru made it all the way round to home but Eldred was out trying to reach third 4-1 Carp. Any slight glimmer of hope seemed to have been extinguished. However, Carp now took a hand and self destructed spectacularly. Imai took over from Takeuchi and got Ryota to fly out. Then Itoh singled right. Imai was replaced by Kawauchi; signs of panic in the Carp camp. Wada sent Hiyama in next and he worked a walk - runners on first and second. Shunsuke pinch ran for Hiyama. Kawauchi exited to be replaced by Mickolio. It didn't help, the thing one can say about Carps fielding particularly infielding is that it is often substandard. This game was no exception. Nishioka hit his first pitch to first and he threw to third but missed. This allowed Itoh to reach home 4-2 Carp, runners on first and second. Next Wada had Yamato bunt - a truly stupid move but Mickolio messed it up and Tigers loaded the bases. Toritani hit to second who was able to field but only able to throw to first for the out. The Tigers runners moved round and another run scored 4-3 Carp, runners on second and third. Then Murton taking his chance cracked a slider into centre to bring in both runners 5-4 Tigers, runner on first. Next was Arai who worked a walk against the by now demoralised Mickolio. Imanari followed and at least he has the power to bat at sixth even though his catching skill is non-existant. He tripled hitting the ball over centre and bringing in both runners 7-4 Tigers, runner on first. Ono took over from Mickolo and finally Ryota flew out left to end the innings. Tigers needed to hold the lead but given the situation this was always likely to happen. Still Wada replaced Imanari behind the plate with Fujii and put Katoh on the mound. Matsuyama popped up to second and then Aizawa lined out to third. Katoh finished off his first career save with a strike out of Soyogi (pinch hitter) to end the game. Tigers victory.

A remarkable turnaround by the Tigers who had capitalised on poor fielding by the Carp and destroyed their relief. Takeuchi must have been rather miffed - he had left the relief with a good postion and they had blown it. Tigers could be very happy. The catching had been poor in the extreme but they had seized the opportunity in the eighth and won an unlikely come from behind victory.