August 18th Fujinami v Nakazawa - Fujinami finds his feet

After taking Fujinami deep in the previous game Wada heeded good sense and only had him throw 104 pitches over six innings. That was undoubtedly wise as Fujinami wasn't exactly stellar but showed strength of character in overcoming an off day. Arai continued his RBI streak and of course Fukudome was a big influence as well. Tigers have done well over this Kyocera Dome section of shi no rodo and in fact shi no rodo has gone very well so far. In fact the only really shi no rodo performance has been the dreadful display against Ohtake. Scores

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

Starting Lineups

Swallows
1. Ueda (Centre)
2. Miwa (Left)
3. Morioka (Short)
4. Balentien (Right)
5. Kawabata (Third)
6. Takeuchi (First)
7. Yamada (Second)
8. Aikawa (Catcher)
9. Nakazawa (Pitcher)

Tigers
1. Nishioka (Second)
2. Yamato (Centre)
3. Toritani (Short)
4. Murton (Left)
5. Takahiro Arai (First)
6. Fukudome (Right)
7. Sekimoto (Third)
8. Fujii (Catcher)
9. Fujinami (Pitcher)

Fujinami despite the victory didn't start well with Ueda singling left off the first pitch of the game. Of course, Swallows had something to prove having lost the rubber and needing a consolation victory. Still bunting the runner to second is not the way to prove it but this is what Miwa did. Morioka grounded out to second which took Ueda to third and then Fujii in a fit of panic deliberately walked Balentien. It was early in the game and there really was no need for this measure yet. It unsettled Fujinami who gave up a single to Kawabata 1-0 Swallows, runners on first and second. Takeuchi grounded out to end the innings. Yamato worked a walk with one out and then Toritani hit a line drive to right. Yamato was able to take third but Murton managed to hit into a double play to end the innings. Still at least he tried to hit. Things were more settled in the Swallows second and the bottom of the order posed no problem for Fujinami. Things turned nicely around in Tigers second - Arai led off and drilled his second pitch into the back screen for a solo home run 1-1 scores tied. Fukudome doubled and then Sekimoto managed to loop the ball over the infield bringing Fukudome home 2-1 Tigers, runner on first. Fujii flew out and Fujinami bunted Sekimoto to second. This brought another run with Nishioka driving through the field for a timely single 3-1 Tigers, runner on second, Nishioka taking advantage of some confusion. Yamato flew out but Tigers had what you felt would be the match winning lead. Swallows were still in non responsive mode and their three batters fell in order. Murton to make up for his double play in the first doubled with one out in Tigers third. Arai walked but Fukudome's swing only bobbled to Nakazawa for the out, both Murton and Arai moving round to third and second respectively. Finally, Sekimoto struck out swinging to end the innings.

Just to show that Swallows weren't entirely dead yet Balentien led the fourth off with a double to right centre. Kawabata grounded out and then Takeuchi walked to set up the double play. This came from Yamada who hit to Toritani and he made no mistake at all. Fujii started Tigers fourth with a grubber single to centre. Fujinami went to bunt and failed with his three attempts, striking out. Nishioka walked in four setting up runners on first and second and here Swallows replaced the struggling Nakazawa with Shichijo. Yamato grounded out to second forcing out Nishioka but Fujii was able to take third. Yamato was fast enough to beat the double play. Then Toritani beat short to single left bringing in Fujii 4-1 Tigers, runners on first and second. This time Murton flew out to right to end the innings. Once again a Swallows batter was able to attack Fujinami though and Aikawa led the fifth off with another double. Tanaka (replacement second) walked but Ueda struck out. Miwa singled left but Swallows didn't feel they could attempt home and Aikawa stopped on third with the bases loaded. Tigers needed a double play and they got it courtesy of Morioka who hit weakly back to Fujinami to end the innings. With one out in Tigers fifth Fukudome walked. However, he was immediately out as Sekimoto hit into a double play which ended the innings. Having wasted two lead off doubles in a row, Swallows got another chance courtesy of a Balentien single to left. Kawabat's hit flcked off Fujinami's glove and he was out but with Hiyane (pinch running for Balentien) reaching second. Takeuchi grounded out taking Hiyane to third but it looked like the Swallows were running out of chances. However, Iwamura (pinch hitter) and replacement first hit to right bringing in the runner 4-2 Tigers, runner on first. Aikawa tried to hit deep to left but only managed to fly out and end the innings. Oshimoto took over for Tigers sixth and retired the batters in order very successfully.

Fujinami didn't return for Swallows seventh - instead in a reversion to the conservative strategy on his pitching he was replaced by Kubo. Kubo was secure and retired the batters in order. Tigers seventh was led off with a single by Yamato. Toritani flew out and then Yamato stole second with Murton at the plate. Murton's ground out took Yamato to third and then Oshimoto dead balled Arai - runners on first and third. He was replaced by Kyuko who immediately walked Fukudome; bases loaded - whilst Oshimoto had had his control desert him Kyuko had never had any. He exited to be replaced by Fujita. Wada was going to pinch hit with Ryota but changed his mind and brought on Hiyama. Fujita hit Hiyama with his first pitch oshidashi 5-2 Tigers, bases loaded. Then he walked Fujii - oshidashi, 6-2 Tigers, bases loaded. Finally, Saka put the Swallows out of their misery flying out to left. Matsuda pitched the Swallows eighth and started by retiring Morioka. Hiyane singled but Kawabata flew out. Then Hatakeyama fell to a fine catch and jumping throw from Nishioka who was a live wire in the field. Barnette took over for Tigers eighth and found himself in a quiet innings retiring the batters in order. Andoh pitched Swallows ninth. Iwamura led the innings off with a single to left but with Swallows needing lots of runs there was never any likelihood of this being a danger. Aikawa flew out in foul ground and then Tanaka grounded out to third which took Iwamura to second. However there was to be no dream finish for Swallows. Ueda grounded out to second to end the game. Tigers victory.

Tigers had swept the Swallows and what is more ensured that they could not be beaten in the series. They also moved to 6.5 games behind the Giants who lost to the Dragons. Tigers play the BayStars next at Yokohama and have struggled against this mediocre outfit. They do need to ensure that they play to their best if they want to catch the Giants. At the moment the second place finish is the more likely but there is still the chance of something more.