Nippon Ham again

The big news of this game was Arai's injury - he is experiencing stiffness in his lower right back and took no part in the game. Shimoyanagi started the game and pitched four undistinguished innings giving up two runs and giving Nippon Ham a lead they would never surrender (Final result 4-3 Nippon Ham). Tigers squandered a good chance in the first with runners on second and third with two outs but only really got going in the sixth. Kojima pitched two innings and gave up a run on two hits and Messenger gave up the final run. Some nice work saw Johjima tag Itoh out at the home plate but Brazell was too slow to work the double play. Obviously more cobwebs need to be shaken out. At least Tigers will have a good chance as starting today (10th March) they play a series of five consecutive games against various opponents. Next is the Giants.

Was looking forward to my first open-sen of the year in Ojiyama (Shiga) today, but has already been canceled. I'm actually looking out on blue skies right now, but heavy rain all day yesterday must have wreaked havoc on the field. Wish they had better facilities for keeping the field dry!

Sad to hear that - still the weather probably would have defeated the best efforts of anyone.

At least the weather will turn around for Friday's game at Skymark. Safer bets were two games at Kyocera Dome this week, but I don't want to spend money to see real games there, let alone open-sen!

I quite understand - I have never been impressed by Kyocera Dome (The 'Big Nipple') whenever I've visited it. Good luck for Friday.