August 25th Andoh v Imamura - The roar of the 'Black Tigers'

What to say about this quite incredible game? Tigers heading for humiliation turned the game around and proceeded to rub the Carp's noses in the dirt. Both starting pitchers were truly terrible but it was Carp who made the most of their chances in the early stages. Tigers turned things around and scored 17 - yes 17 - runs in their final two innings as Carp's relief pitching imploded dramatically. Kanemoto finally started to look like a No. 6 batter and his contribution in the seventh was vital. With Giants losing this again put Tigers in the top spot by percentage points but Tigers need to keep on winning and they face a sterner test with the Swallows starting on Friday. Scores

        1 2 3 4 5 6 7  8 9  R  H E
Carp    3 0 4 1 0 0 0  0 0  8 17 0
Tigers  2 1 0 0 0 2 7 10 X 22 20 2

Starting lineups

Carp
1. Soyogi (Short)
2. Kimura (Second)
3. Akamatsu (Centre)
4. Kurihara (Third)
5. Shima (Left)
6. Hirose (Right)
7. Iwamoto (First)
8. Kura (Catcher)
9. Iwamura (Pitcher)

Tigers
1. Murton (Right)
2. Hirano (Second)
3. Toritani (Short)
4. Arai (Third)
5. Brazell (First)
6. Kanemoto (Left)
7. Johjima (Catcher)
8. Shunsuke Fujikawa (Centre)
9. Andoh (Pitcher)

Andoh started as he would continue and despite all the efforts put into him he is not a starting pitcher anymore. He just can't be relied on to any degree at all. Soyogi led Carp's first off with a hit. He then stole second and was bunted to third by Kimura. Akamatsu then hit a deep fly to centre and Soyogi was home 1-0 Carp. Fair enough, these things happen but Andoh didn't lift his game. Kurihara hit to centre and then Shima also hit to centre - runners on first and second. Hirose hit a grounder to Arai at third who allowed it through his glove into left for a run scoring error 2-0 Carp, runners on first and third. It wasn't a really difficult take just a bit of poor fielding. Iwamoto hit to left bringing Shima home 3-0 Carp, runners on first and second. Kura flew out to end the innings which was a relief and maybe Andoh was just unlucky. Thankfully, Imamura, Carp's pitcher was also dreadful - he seemed nervous and couldn't locate pitches at all. Murton started the Tigers first by walking and Hirano followed with a successful hit to short. Toritani took a dead ball to load the bases with no outs and Carp were already in trouble. Arai hit deep to right for a sacrifice fly 3-1 Carp, runners on first and third. Next was Brazell who repeated the feat blasting a huge fly which was just taken by Hirose jumping up to intercept the ball before it hit the wall 3-2 Carp, runner on first. Kanemoto hit to left to set up runners on first and third but Johjima grounded out to end the innings. Tigers had reduced the lead to one and with Andoh retiring the batters in order in the Carp's second one could begin to feel that the crisis was over. Tigers second was amazingly similar to the first - Shunsuke Fujikawa walked and was bunted to second by Andoh. Then Murton and Hirano walked to load the bases again. Toritani hit his first pitch to right for a timely hit 3-3 scores tied, bases loaded. It should have been possible to actually get two runners home but Tigers didn't take this option. Next was Arai who hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the innings. This was unfortunate but the scores were level. Any hopes that Andoh had settled down were dispelled in the Carp's third. Akamatsu grounded out but Kurihara left. Next was Shima who took a swing and got enough contact for the ball to fly along the baseline and just creep in by the left foul pole for a two run home run 5-3 Carp. Hirose hit along the left baseline for a two base hit and then Iwamoto slammed a poor pitch into the stands 7-3 Carp and some stunned Tigers. If Shima was lucky there was nothing lucky about this hit. This was the end of Andoh - he just wasn't up to it at all. Tsuru took the mound and immediately dead balled Kura, not good. Imamura struck out and then Soyogi flew out to short and the innings was over. Carp were in control though. Even though he had batted Nomura decided not to risk him with a third innings and Aoki took the mound. Aoki retired the shell shocked batters in order and things were looking ominous.

The outlook didn't improve in Carp's fourth. Tsuru returned and gave up a two base hit to Kimura. Akamatsu struck out but Kurihara hit a two base to right centre bringing home the runner 8-3 Carp, runner on second. Shima grounded out, moving Kurihara to third but then HIrose flew out in foul ground to end the innings. A five run deficit - Tigers were really in trouble. Aoki continued his stranglehold on the Tigers batters and the Tigers fourth was quiet. For Carp's fifth Mayumi switched to Fujihara and at least the run flow was stemmed though the innings was a bit nerve-wracking. Iwamoto grounded out but then Kura hit to left. Aoki bunted him to second and then Soyogi walked. Kimura hit to Toritani who saved the run but couldn't get the throw away - the bases were loaded. Fujihara rose to the challenge and struck out Akamatsu to end the innings. A lucky escape. Tigers fifth was also quiet - the run flow might have been stemmed but Tigers were stymied and unable to get any momentum against Aoki's pitching. Fujihara had a better innings in the Carp's sixth retiring the clean up in order. Still runs were needed and the opportunity would come in Tigers sixth. Aoki started his fourth innings with a hit to Brazell. Kanemoto flew out but then Johjima got hold of his second pitch and put it into the left stand for a two run home run 8-5 Carp. This was the end of Aoki who had done well over three innings and Kishimoto took the mound. He gave up a two base hit to Shunsuke Fujikawa who tried to go too far and was out - a real waste. Lin (pinch hitter) struck out to end the innings. The margin was reduced but it would take a miracle for Tigers to pull this one back.

Watanabe pitched Carp's seventh; his first innings since he returned from ni-gun where Mayumi had so rashly sent him. He was nervous and it wasn't straightforward. Iwamoto hit to centre and then Kura grounded out to Watanabe who messed up - runners on first and second. Amaya (replacement left) grounded out to Watanabe who this time threw to third for the force out but then Soyogi hit to right to load the bases. Kimura grounded out to first which didn't produce a run and then Akamatsu flew out to right to end the innings. Kishimoto returned for Tigers seventh and walked Murton. Hirano shaped to bunt but was hit on his leg by a low pitch - quite painful. This brought Hiroshima's pitching coach Ohno out to have sharp words with Kishimoto. Toritani was next and he hit to short who threw to high to second, Kimura having to jump off base to take the ball and Hirano was safe, bases loaded, no outs. Arai was next and by now Kishimoto's pitching was gone and it took only five pitches to walk the Tigers No. 4 - oshidashi 8-6 Carp bases loaded with no outs. A real crunch and the end of Kishimoto who had had no control whatsoever. He was replaced by Ohshima who if anything was worse. Brazell struck out swinging - the first out with Kanemoto next. On his current form you expected a strike out but he worked the count full and then got hold of a low changeup and drove it nicely into the right stand for a grand slam 10-8 Tigers. Kanemoto was overjoyed and normally is not demonstrative at all when he hits home runs but couldn't hide his pleasure at this one. Carp had blown a five run lead and lost the match as one couldn't see any way back for them from here. Johjima flew out to first and Shunsuke Fujikawa followed and turned his first pitch nicely along the third baseline for a two base hit. This brought Ohno out again for another chat with Ohshima. It also didn't work Asai (pinch hitter) got another low changeup and lifted this nicely into the left stand for a two run home run 12-8 Tigers. Not only had the game been turned on its head but Tigers were certain to win. Murton hit and then Ohshima dead balled Hirano again - runners on first and second. Finally, Toritani grounded out to short to end the innings. Carp's eighth was pitched by Kubota - this was always going to be no worry though with two out Hirose did hit but then Iwamoto grounded out and the innings was over. Carp needed to get through Tigers eighth and this was more of an ordeal for them. The pitcher was Umetsu who will have nightmares about this innings for the rest of his life. Arai flew out for the first out. Brazell hit his first pitch to right centre for a two base hit. Hiyama (pinch hitter) hit to centre and set up runners on first and third. Johjima hit bringing home Brazell 13-8 Tigers, runners on first and second. Shunsuke Fujikawa walked to load the bases. Asai grounded out to third which brought Hiyama home 14-8 Tigers, runners on first and second with two outs and here Umetsu just went to pieces. Murton hit to left, 15-8 Tigers runners on first and second. Uemoto (replacement second) hit to left and Shunsuke Fujikawa slid home bulldozing Kura out of the way 16-8. Toritani hit his first pitch to right for a three run home run 19-8 Tigers. One would have thought that Umetsu would have left the mound by now but Nomura kept him in perhaps reasoning that there was no point in changing him. Arai walked and Brazell up for his second at bat hit setting up runners on first and second. This time Hiyama hit a three run home run into the right stand - his first of the season 22-8 Tigers. Johhima hit to left and finally Shunsuke Fujikawa flew out in foul ground. Tigers had wiped the floor with the Carp on nine hits. For the formality of Carp's ninth Mayumi used Fukuhara who wasn't particularly good but didn't need to be. Huber flew out and then Amaya hit. Soyogi grounded out which took Amaya to second. Then Kimura hit to short, Toritani dived and took the ball and was up but not in time to make the throw to first. However, Amaya had rounded third and gone beyond the base. Toritani saw this and fired the ball to Arai who made the tag for the final out. Tigers victory.

A ruthless demolition of the Carp who just hadn't been good enough. Tigers had played to their potential and shown just what a gulf there is between the top and the bottom of the Central League. Of course, this doesn't happen all the time and the next match will be different. Still this is a great morale booster for the Tigers and gives them a good chance for the final match of the series. Tigers need their pitching to hold together through September if they are to take the Central League pennant and with Nohmi due back early next month may just be able to make it.

The roar of the 'Black Tigers'. I like the title! When I saw that Hiroshima was leading and Andoh as starter I thought Hanshin would increase their losing streak. However, this was a WTF game. Amazing hitting.

Over at Pacific things are heating up too, with only 1 game between the top 3 teams. This season's pennant is turning out to be really exciting. It'll be close all the way 'till the end.

Hirano looked furious when he got plunked. 3 times (which he actually said to the pitcher) in 2 games. I didn't see the umpire warn the benches which leaves the question why didn't the Hanshin pitchers protect their batters?

Hanshin actually behave rather well under Mayumi (under Okada the bench would have emptied). They let their bats do the talking and put the Carp in their place, so much so that last night's victory is unimportant.

I was lucky enough to see this one live at the Dome - what a party! Never thought I'd get to see Hiyama hit one out in person.

I think what the poster means by "pitchers protecting batters" is retaliating by thowing at their guys. Kind of an unwritten rule and expected in the States. In the Majors it's not uncommon for batters to call out their pitchers publically for not protecting them if they feel they're being intentionally plunked.

I see, I am not in favour of plunking some poor sap who had nothing to do with the pitch, especially as it generally falls on the nicest and smallest person in the team. If you really have to do that sort of thing do it to the pitcher who threw the pitch and aim for the head. I prefer the Mayumi approach - you ignore the nastiness and hammer the opposition with your bats.

Just a thought, but that whole situation could have been in response to last season's Koshien home opener, when Kenta Abe broke Kenta Kurihara's batting helmet after Kurihara hit a home run to put the Carp way ahead and danced around the bases pumping his fist and grinning like an idiot. That beanball resulted in Abe being tossed (and, my theory is, becoming persona non grata in Mayumi's eyes), but it sparked the Tigers and keyed a big five run sayonara comeback in the ninth. Arai's a good target for retaliation since he bailed on the Carp in free agency a couple years ago. With the game out of reach, maybe decided on a cold serving of revenge.

Possibly it does go back to that situation but the ten run innings came after the Carp had managed to plunk Hirano twice and I saw the first dead ball in the second game. That was just accidental - Hirano's foot got in the way. The second I don't know but my take is that the Carp were frustrated and picked on the little guy. They daren't take out Arai as that would really be serious.

My feeling is that there is less brawls and batters being hit intentionally in Japan than in USA. In USA they play more hard but also I find it to be dirty. On the other hand, there is more intentionally walks in Japan than in USA. Pitchers do not challenge batters when they want to protect a record. I find that to be dirty too. For instance, Sadaharu Oh's home run record. There have been ugly episodes in the past where managers, coaches have abused umpires. Especially in Japan. All in all, I am in favor of fair play. I did not see this game but from what I read I am in agreement with Christopher. I think Mayumi did the right thing there. While on topic of fair play. While many dislike Hara. for various reasons, Hara is a manager I respect due to him being an advocate of fair play.

"f you really have to do that sort of thing do it to the pitcher who threw the pitch and aim for the head.

Whooooooa! Christopher, I can't believe you said that. You should never intentionally throw at anyone's head. Careers have been ended after players were beaned and unfortunately some players have even died. No matter what anyone thinks about whether to throw at batters or not. You should never go for a batters head.

Actually if you note I mention I prefer the Mayumi approach - that is you ignore the dead balls. I would also love to see pitchers being suspended for dead balls - a whole season for the most dangerous ones would be good but more than a simple ejection. Okada also reacted well when one of his pitchers dead balled a Swallows batter. He personally apologised to Furuta, the Swallows coach and the pitcher (Yan) was sent to the second team and never appeared in the first team again.

But if there is to be any retalation do so to the guy who committed the original offence and make it so dangerous he thinks twice about repeating it. The authorities would also quickly step in and introduce decent penalties.