2007 Nippon Series: Game 1
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Re: 2007 Nippon Series: Game 1
[ Author: westbaystars | Posted: Oct 27, 2007 10:38 PM
| YBS Fan
]
Nippon Ham takes round one with a 3-1 victory. Darvish ties a Nippon Series record striking out 13. Kawakami, after allowing a 3-run home run to Seguignol in first, set down the following 21 batters in order.
The following is the full game recount for your pleasure:
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2007/10/27
CHATROOM 2007 Nippon Series/Game 1
15:59 Deanna: wow. I'm trying this from my keitai
17:58 afc wimbledon: hi what time's game 1?
18:01 afc wim: @@@@@@@
18:05 westbaystars: Welcome to the first game of the 2007 Nippon Series.
18:05 westbaystars: The game starts in a little more than 10 minutes from now.
18:07 westbaystars: The starting lineups:
18:07 westbaystars: Chunichi Dragonss:
18:07 westbaystars: 1 2B Araki
18:07 westbaystars: 2 SS Ibata
18:07 westbaystars: 3 LF Morino
18:07 westbaystars: 4 1B Woods
18:07 westbaystars: 5 DH Tatsunami
18:07 westbaystars: 6 3B Nakamura
18:07 westbaystars: 7 RF Lee
18:07 westbaystars: 8 C Tanishige
18:08 westbaystars: 9 CF Fujii
18:08 westbaystars: ---
18:08 westbaystars: Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters:
18:08 westbaystars: 1 CF Morimoto
18:08 westbaystars: 2 2B Tanaka
18:08 westbaystars: 3 RF Inaba
18:08 westbaystars: 4 DH Seguignol
18:08 westbaystars: 5 LF Kudoh
18:09 westbaystars: 6 3B Koyano
18:09 westbaystars: 7 1B Inada
18:09 westbaystars: 8 SS Kaneko
18:09 westbaystars: 9 C Tsuruoka
18:09 westbaystars: ---
18:09 westbaystars: Starting pitchers:
18:09 westbaystars: Kawakami (CD) vs. Darvishi (HNHF)
18:14 westbaystars: Cheerleaders are clearing the field.
18:14 westbaystars: Cerimonial first pitch is thrown.,
18:14 westbaystars: Araki swings and misses.
18:14 westbaystars: ---
18:14 westbaystars: Top of 1st
18:14 westbaystars: ---
18:15 westbaystars: Darvish takes the mound and is completing his warm up pitches.
18:16 westbaystars: Araki is announed.
18:16 westbaystars: Darvish's first pitch (from the streach) is down the middle.
18:17 westbaystars: Fouled off to the right side, strike one.
18:17 westbaystars: And the 2007 Nippon Series is underway.
18:17 westbaystars: Another foul off to the right side. Two quick strikes on Araki.
18:17 westbaystars: Third offering misses up high, 2 strikes and a ball.
18:18 westbaystars: Fourth offering is swung on and missed, strike three.
18:18 westbaystars: Darvish's 210 strike outs led the league.
18:19 westbaystars: And he's put the first pitch to Ibata over for strike one.
18:19 westbaystars: Second offering misses high and tight, 1 and 1.
18:19 westbaystars: Third offering is grounded just left of the second base bag.
18:19 westbaystars: Kaneko up with it and throws to first for out number two.
18:20 westbaystars: Kawakami is up in front of the first base dugout throwing.
18:20 westbaystars: While Morino stands in, a left handed batter.
18:20 westbaystars: Morino takes strike one on the inside corner.
18:20 westbaystars: 154 kph.
18:21 westbaystars: Second offering is fouled off to the right side. Two quick strikes on Morino.
18:21 westbaystars: Third offering bounces in front of home plate. Two strikes and a ball.
18:21 westbaystars: Fourth offering misses outside, 2 and 2.
18:22 westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch high and away is swung on and missed, strike three.
18:22 westbaystars: So Darvish puts down the Dragons in order with a pair of Ks in the first.
18:22 westbaystars: After half an inning, there's no score.
18:22 westbaystars: ---
18:22 westbaystars: Bottom of 1st
18:22 westbaystars: ---
18:24 westbaystars: Kawakami takes the mound for the Chunichi Dragons.
18:24 westbaystars: He defeated the Fighters in Game 1 of the 2006 Nippon Series.
18:24 westbaystars: And also beat Darvish during inter-league this past season.
18:25 westbaystars: Morimoto stands in.
18:25 westbaystars: The first pitch by Kawakami misses low and away, ball one.
18:25 westbaystars: Second offering misses low and inside. Ball two.
18:26 westbaystars: Hichori is 2 for 4 against Kawakami.
18:26 westbaystars: After getting a pitch over for strike one, Kawakami misses with the next pitch.
18:26 westbaystars: 1 strike, 3 balls.
18:26 westbaystars: The fifth offering misses inside, ball four.
18:27 westbaystars: The leadoff man is on board for the Fighters.
18:27 westbaystars: That brings up Kensuke Tanaka.
18:28 westbaystars: A throw over to first and Hichori dives back in - ahead of the tag.
18:28 westbaystars: Tanaka showing bunt.
18:28 westbaystars: He lays the first pitch down toward the pitcher.
18:28 westbaystars: Kawakami is up with the ball, throws to first.
18:28 westbaystars: And the sacrifice is successful.
18:29 westbaystars: Hillman-kantoku going for the one run strategy, hoping that Darvish can keep this game low scoring.
18:29 westbaystars: Inaba comes up.
18:29 westbaystars: And fouls the first pitch off to the left side.
18:29 westbaystars: As the fans create a mini-earthquake with their Inaba Jump.
18:30 westbaystars: Second offering is fouled off an out of play to the left side.
18:30 westbaystars: Third offering by Kawakami misses just inside.
18:30 westbaystars: Kawakami and Tanishige both want to know where that one missed.
18:31 westbaystars: Nomura-kantoku agrees with me, some umpires don't call three straight strikes if it's close.
18:31 westbaystars: Fourth offering misses outside bringing the count to 2 and 2.
18:32 westbaystars: Next offering misses low and in, and the third base umpire says that Inaba didn't swing.
18:32 westbaystars: Full count. First one of the night.
18:33 westbaystars: Shoubu pitch bounces up there, taken for ball four.
18:33 westbaystars: So the Fighters have runners at first and second with one out and without a hit.
18:33 westbaystars: With Seguignol coming to the plate.
18:33 westbaystars: Seguignol hit .286 with 1 home run and 3 RBIs against Kawakami in last year's Nippon Series.
18:34 westbaystars: Swings and misses the fork ball for strike one.
18:34 westbaystars: The second offering is called strike two, low and away.
18:34 westbaystars: Seguignol has a short word about what he thought of that call.
18:35 westbaystars: Everyone looks up.
18:35 westbaystars: Haittaaaaaaaaa!
18:35 westbaystars: Home run.
18:36 westbaystars: Darvish, warming up in front of the third base dugout, paused in his wind up to watch it.
18:36 westbaystars: Seggy got all of that one.
18:36 westbaystars: And the Fighters take a 3-0 lead here in the first. With one big hit.
18:37 westbaystars: That brings up Kudoh with the bases empty and one out.
18:37 westbaystars: After taking the first pitch for a ball, Kudoh fouls the second offering off to even the count at 1 and 1.
18:38 westbaystars: Two pitches later, Kudoh watches strike three go by.
18:38 westbaystars: Two down here in the bottom of the first.
18:38 westbaystars: That brings up Koyano.
18:38 westbaystars: Koyano swings and fouls the first pitch off to the right side.
18:39 westbaystars: The second offering is lifted to shallow right field.
18:39 westbaystars: Araki goes out, Fujii and Lee in.
18:39 westbaystars: And it's Araki who makes the catch for out number three.
18:39 westbaystars: But not before a pair of walks and a three run home run by Seguignol put the Fighters up 3-0.
18:39 westbaystars: ---
18:39 westbaystars: Top of 2nd
18:39 westbaystars: ---
18:41 westbaystars: Woods leads off the top of the second for the Dragons.
18:41 westbaystars: There had been a lot of hype about Darvish vs. Woods.
18:42 westbaystars: (Nothing about Kawakami vs. Seguignol. Hmmm.)
18:42 westbaystars: First pitch to Woods catches the outside corner for strike one.
18:42 westbaystars: Second offering is fouled off to the right side.
18:42 westbaystars: Darvish is a strike throwing machine tonight.
18:42 westbaystars: Getting ahead in the count constantly.
18:42 westbaystars: Wastes a pitch up high, ball one.
18:43 westbaystars: Fourth offering just misses a little high, ball two. 2 and 2.
18:43 westbaystars: Fifth offering misses outside, and Woods isn't going for it.
18:43 westbaystars: Full count.
18:44 westbaystars: The next offering is inside, swung on and missed! Strike three.
18:44 westbaystars: That's Darvish's third strike out of the evening, out of four batters.
18:44 westbaystars: And that brings up DH Tatsunami.
18:44 westbaystars: Tatsunami takes the first pitch on the inside corner for strike one.
18:45 westbaystars: An informal count of uniforms outside of Tokyo Dome for Game 3 of the Climax Series saw Tatsunami as the most popular.
18:45 westbaystars: But inside Tokyo Dome, it looked like Inaba was the most popular - especially with the famales.
18:46 westbaystars: Two pitches later, Darvish is up 2 strikes and a ball.
18:46 westbaystars: The fourth offering low and inside is swung on and missed, strike three.
18:46 westbaystars: Strike out number 4 for Darvish.
18:47 westbaystars: That brings up Nakamura.
18:47 westbaystars: Nori takes the first pitch for ball one. Was that the first first pitch ball?
18:47 westbaystars: The second offering is a strike.
18:47 westbaystars: And the third offering break's Nori's bat and is blooped into left field for a base hit.
18:48 westbaystars: That's the first Chunichi base runner of the evening, and it's not even a solid hit.
18:48 westbaystars: Lee stands in the left handed batter's box and takes strike one on the outside corner.
18:48 westbaystars: The second offering is grounded to the right side.
18:49 westbaystars: Inada fields the ball, underhands to Darvish covering.
18:49 westbaystars: And the side is retired.
18:49 westbaystars: So the Dragons get their first base runner, but come up empty in the second.
18:49 westbaystars: After 1 and a half, the Fighters hold onto a 3-0 lead.
18:49 westbaystars: ---
18:49 westbaystars: Bottom of 2nd
18:49 westbaystars: ---
18:51 westbaystars: Inada leads off the Nippon Ham half of the second inning.
18:52 westbaystars: Kawakami's first offing misses up and away for ball one.
18:52 westbaystars: Shows bunt and takes the second pitch down the middle. 1 and 1.
18:52 westbaystars: The third offering is lifted toward the gap in left-center.
18:53 westbaystars: But Morino comes over and, on the run, makes a leaping catch.
18:53 westbaystars: One down in the bottom of the second.
18:53 westbaystars: That brings up Kaneko.
18:54 westbaystars: Kanemo usually bats 9th, I thought. Batting in the #8 slot tonight.
18:54 westbaystars: After two quick strikes, fouls the third offering off. Count remains 2 strikes and no balls.
18:55 westbaystars: Fourth offering misses inside. Ball one.
18:55 Deanna: Hi! Good thing I popped in to point out that Inaba jerseys would not be popular with Chunichi female fans *)
18:55 westbaystars: And Kaneko goes down swinging on a low and away pitch for out number two.
18:55 westbaystars: Argh! Did I do it again?
18:55 westbaystars: Ibata! Ibata!
18:55 westbaystars: That brings up Tsuruoka.
18:56 Deanna: ...and I have to go again, but, wheee go Fighters go Seggy go bananas!
18:57 westbaystars: Count goes even at 2 and 2 to Tsuruoka.
18:57 westbaystars: 45% of Kawakami's pitches so far have been his cut fastball.
18:57 westbaystars: A couple more fouls, and the count remains 2 and 2.
18:59 westbaystars: And after yet another foul ball, Tsuruoka finally goes down swinging for out number three.
18:59 westbaystars: The Fighters go down in order here in the second.
18:59 westbaystars: ---
18:59 westbaystars: Top of 3rd
18:59 westbaystars: ---
18:59 afc wimbledon: thanks gotta go
19:00 westbaystars: The Dragons in the third will be sending up numbers 8, 9, and 1 batters.
19:00 westbaystars: Tanishige, Fujii, and Araki.
19:00 westbaystars: Have a good one!
19:01 westbaystars: First pitch by Darvish to Tanishige is down the middle.
19:01 westbaystars: Taken for strike one.
19:01 westbaystars: Second offering fouled back. Two quick strikes on Tanishige.
19:02 westbaystars: Darvishi is reall going after batters early.
19:03 westbaystars: After fouling another one back, Darish goes low and away, *just* missing. But this umpire isn't going to call that ...
19:03 westbaystars: ... with two strikes.
19:03 westbaystars: The fifth offering is a little bit more over the plate, and Tanishige swings and misses.
19:04 westbaystars: Strike out victim #5.
19:04 westbaystars: That brings up Fujii.
19:05 westbaystars: Fujii breaks his bat, but grounds the ball back to Darvish.
19:05 westbaystars: Yu-chan throws to first in plenty of time. Two quick outs.
19:05 westbaystars: That brings us back to the top of the Dragons' order in Araki.
19:06 westbaystars: Araki takes a 1 strike, 2 ball count pitch to right field.
19:07 westbaystars: Inaba comes in and makes the catch for out number three.
19:07 westbaystars: The Dragons go down in order for the second time tonight.
19:07 westbaystars: And continue trailing by a score of 0-3.
19:07 westbaystars: ---
19:07 westbaystars: Bottom of 3rd
19:07 westbaystars: ---
19:09 westbaystars: Moromito leads off the bottom of the third for the Fighters.
19:09 westbaystars: Hichori is swinging at the first pitch, grounding the ball up the middle.
19:10 westbaystars: Ibata fields the ball just left and behind the second base bag.
19:10 westbaystars: Throws a little wide of first base, but Woods handles it fine.
19:10 westbaystars: One pitch, one out here in the bottom of the third.
19:10 westbaystars: And that brings up Kensuke Tanaka.
19:11 westbaystars: 8 for 20 (.400), 0 HR, 4RBI in Climax Series.
19:12 westbaystars: Tanaka goes down looking at a 2-2 pitch on the outside corner.
19:12 westbaystars: Two down here in the bottom of the third.
19:12 westbaystars: And that brings up Inaba.
19:14 westbaystars: Count comes even at 2 and 2 with two down.
19:14 westbaystars: And the next offering down the middle is swung on and missed. Strike three.
19:15 westbaystars: That retires the Fighters in order for the second time in a row.
19:15 westbaystars: At the end of 3 complete, the Fighters hold on to their 3-0 lead.
19:15 westbaystars: ---
19:15 westbaystars: Top of 4th
19:15 westbaystars: ---
19:15 westbaystars: ===
19:15 westbaystars: Quick review:
19:16 westbaystars: Bottom of 1st:
19:16 westbaystars: Morimoto walks, sacrificed to second, Inaba walks.
19:16 westbaystars: Seguignol homers to right-center.
19:16 westbaystars: Fighters up 3-0.
19:16 westbaystars: ===
19:17 westbaystars: Ibata leads off the fourth for the Dragons.
19:17 westbaystars: And this is the third batter in a row that Darvish didn't get the first pitch over for a strike.
19:17 westbaystars: And after he was so good at it the first couple of innings.
19:18 westbaystars: Ibata swings and misses a 2-2 pitch in the dirt outside, strike out number 6 for Darvish.
19:19 westbaystars: That brings up Morino who takes the first pitch for strike one.
19:20 westbaystars: The third offering is grounded to the right side, and through!
19:20 westbaystars: Base hit to right, putting a one out runner on for Woods.
19:21 westbaystars: After missing inside on the first pitch and low and away on the second,
19:21 zman: TIme for Woods to show Segui who is King of the long ball
19:22 westbaystars: Darvish throws a changeup down the middle, taken by Woods for strike one.
19:22 westbaystars: The fourth offering misses low and away.
19:22 westbaystars: And Woods walks on five pitches.
19:22 westbaystars: That's the first walk given up by Darvish, and puts runners at first and second with one out.
19:23 westbaystars: That brings up Tatsunami.
19:23 westbaystars: The Central League-centric press sure did play up Woods a lot more than Seguignol.
19:24 westbaystars: And Tatsunami goes down swinging on four pitches.
19:25 westbaystars: Striking out for the second time this game.
19:25 westbaystars: Strike out victim number 4 and 7.
19:25 westbaystars: That brings up Nori, who's swinging for the fences.
19:26 westbaystars: And the umpire doesn't give Darvish a slider over the plate, just below the knees.
19:26 westbaystars: I think I'm siding with the umpire on that one. 1 and 1 the count.
19:27 westbaystars: 2 more pitches, 2 and 2 the count. 2 outs, 2 on.
19:27 westbaystars: Two are wild.
19:28 westbaystars: The next pitch misses inside, just missing Nori's back shin.
19:28 westbaystars: Full count.
19:28 westbaystars: The 勝負 (shoubu) pitch is grounded to the right side.
19:28 westbaystars: Tanaka comes over.
19:29 westbaystars: Inada was also going for the ball and can't get back.
19:29 westbaystars: But Darvish covers, takes the throw from Tanaka.
19:29 westbaystars: and the side is retired.
19:29 westbaystars: So the Dragons put two on in the fourth, but still come up empty.
19:29 westbaystars: After 3 and a half, the Fighters continue to lead this one 3-0.
19:29 westbaystars: ---
19:29 westbaystars: Bottom of 4th
19:29 westbaystars: ---
19:30 torakichi: I've given up on the ABC commentary. it's just too painful. Who's the "kantoku" they've hired for tonight?
19:31 westbaystars: Nomura-kantoku.
19:31 westbaystars: To go along with the "Nomura Scope."
19:31 westbaystars: Seguginol stands in.
19:31 torakichi: Thought so. Man, he's worse than I remember him.
19:32 westbaystars: It was Seggy's first inning home 3-run home run that's accounted for tonight's score.
19:32 torakichi: Just saw a replay. Big hit.
19:33 westbaystars: 2-2 offering by Kawakami is lifted to left-center.
19:33 westbaystars: Looks like it's going to be tough, but Fujii comes out of nowhere to make the grab on the run.
19:33 westbaystars: At the warning track.
19:34 westbaystars: Fujii almost lost his balance lunging for that one at the last second.
19:34 westbaystars: Kudoh lifts his first pitch pretty much to where Morino is playing in left.
19:34 westbaystars: Two quick outs here in the bottom of the 4th.
19:34 westbaystars: That brings up Koyano.
19:35 westbaystars: Koyano lifts the ball to right-center.
19:36 westbaystars: But Fujii is camped under the ball, and makes the catch for out number three.
19:36 westbaystars: The Fighters have gone down in order every inning since the second.
19:36 westbaystars: At the end of four complete, the Fighters lead by a score of 3-0.
19:36 westbaystars: ---
19:36 westbaystars: Top of 5th
19:36 westbaystars: ---
19:37 miesque: Time is quickly and chance is a few.
19:37 westbaystars: Kawakami has really settled down after the first.
19:37 westbaystars: But the damage was done.
19:38 westbaystars: Lee leads off the fifth for the Dragons.
19:38 westbaystars: And Darvish throws two straight balls.
19:39 westbaystars: For Darvish, he's thrown more bad pitches as the game has progressed.
19:39 westbaystars: The opposite of Kawakami getting stronger each inning.
19:40 westbaystars: But Darvish comes back and gets Lee swinging at a 2-2 offering outside.
19:40 torakichi: I have a feeling the 4th inning was the one chance Dragons are going to get to draw even.
19:40 westbaystars: That was Darvish's 69th pitch of the game.
19:40 westbaystars: Tanishige lifts the ball to center.
19:41 westbaystars: And makes the catch for out number two.
19:41 westbaystars: Fujii follows showing bunt on the first pitch, taking the bat back for a called strike one.
19:41 westbaystars: Fujii grounded out to Darvish his first at bat.
19:42 westbaystars: Darvish's 75th pitch of the game is over for a called strike two. 2 and 2, 2 down, nobody on.
19:43 westbaystars: The next offering in the dirt is swung on and missed.
19:43 westbaystars: Fujii starts toward first. The throw to first retires the side.
19:43 westbaystars: Chunichi is down in order for their 3rd time this game.
19:43 westbaystars: And continue to trail 0-3.
19:43 westbaystars: ---
19:43 westbaystars: Bottom of 5th
19:44 westbaystars: ---
19:45 miesque: It's difficult timing that next pitcher change.
19:45 westbaystars: Inada leads off the Fighters' fifth.
19:46 westbaystars: Darvish is going to be going for the complete game.
19:46 westbaystars: He's been unhittable every other inning.
19:47 westbaystars: Kawakami just has to give 7+ innings.
19:48 zman: yahoo sports shows darvish giving up just two hits
19:48 westbaystars: Inada works the count to 2 and 2.
19:48 zman: and kawakami only one
19:48 westbaystars: Yeah, and Kawakami has only given up one. The 3-run home run.
19:48 zman: one hitter and he is down by three
19:48 miesque: I think so too.
19:48 zman: ouch!
19:49 westbaystars: But foul.
19:49 westbaystars: Walks kill.
19:49 westbaystars: Shoubu pitch again, it's grounded to the right side.
19:50 westbaystars: Araki fields the ball rushing in, and throws Inada out.
19:50 westbaystars: That brings up Kaneko.
19:52 westbaystars: Kawakami comes back with a pair of strikes to bring the count full to Kaneko.
19:52 westbaystars: Shoubu pitch is swung on and missed. Strike three.
19:52 westbaystars: I believe that was Kawakami's 79th pitch of the evening.
19:53 westbaystars: No, that was just 72 pitches.
19:53 westbaystars: Tsuruoka follows.
19:54 westbaystars: Strike three called on the outside corner, and the Fighters are down in order yet again in the fifth.
19:54 westbaystars: In fact, after Seguignol's 3-run home run, Kawakami has set down 14 Fighters in a row.
19:55 westbaystars: Yet, at the end of five complete, the Fighters lead this one 3-0.
19:55 westbaystars: ===
19:55 engrey: hello all
19:55 westbaystars: Review
19:55 westbaystars: Bottom of first:
19:55 westbaystars: Morimoto walks.
19:55 zman: I show 7 Ks for him as well
19:55 westbaystars: Tanaka sacrifices Morimoto to second.
19:56 westbaystars: Inaba walks.
19:56 westbaystars: Seguignol homers deep to right-center.
19:56 westbaystars: Fighters up 3-0.
19:56 westbaystars: ===
19:56 westbaystars: ---
19:56 westbaystars: Top of 6th
19:56 westbaystars: ---
19:56 westbaystars: Kawakami has struck out 7 so far. Darvish 9.
19:57 westbaystars: Kawakami has walked 2 so far (both scored), Darvish 1.
19:57 westbaystars: Kawakami has given up just 1 hit so far (the 3-run home run), Darvish 2.
19:57 westbaystars: The Dragons will be sending up the top of their order in Araki, Ibata, and Morino.
19:59 westbaystars: After taking ball one, Araki attempts a safety bunt, fouling the ball off of Tsuruoka's right thigh.
20:00 westbaystars: The 1-1 offering is grounded up the middle.
20:00 westbaystars: Darvish sticks out his glove, but misses.
20:00 westbaystars: The ball goes over the second base bag and into center field.
20:00 westbaystars: That's Chunichi hit #3.
20:00 westbaystars: 1 in the 2nd, 1 in the 4th, 1 in the 6th. Every other inning.
20:00 westbaystars: Ibata stands in with the Central League Stolen Base King on first.
20:01 westbaystars: Darvish misses with the first three pitches.
20:02 westbaystars: Fourth offering called strike one on the outside corner.
20:02 zman: Ochiai is not Bobby V, I think down three he does not want to run himself out of the inning
20:02 westbaystars: With the runner on the move, the ball is grounded deep to short.
20:02 westbaystars: Kaneko throws to first - too late!
20:02 westbaystars: And Araki takes off for third!
20:03 westbaystars: He's in there safe!
20:03 westbaystars: An infield hit putting runners at the corners.
20:03 zman: Wow!
20:03 zman: Hit and run on 1-3 pitch
20:03 westbaystars: I fear that Ochiai-kantoku didn't listen to you.
20:04 miesque: I will wait Woods time!
20:04 westbaystars: Morimoto goes back.
20:04 westbaystars: And makes the catch at the center field wall.
20:04 zman: It was a hit and run, little bit different but point taken
20:04 westbaystars: Araki touches up and puts the Dragons on the baord.
20:04 westbaystars: That was 85 pitches for Darvish so far.
20:05 westbaystars: Woods coming up with a runner at first and one out.
20:05 westbaystars: But even with the hit and run, Araki paused at second to make sure the throw was going to first.
20:05 zman: Equalizer time
20:05 westbaystars: Woods grounds the ball to the left side.
20:06 westbaystars: Koyano throws to second for one, the relay to first is in time. Double play.
20:06 westbaystars: But not before a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly put a mark on the board for the Dragons.
20:06 miesque: Woods killed chance.
20:07 westbaystars: After 5 and a half, the score is now Dragons 1 - 3 Fighters.
20:07 westbaystars: ---
20:07 westbaystars: Bottom of 6th
20:07 westbaystars: ---
20:08 westbaystars: Woods makes up for the numerous chances he kills by coming through as often.
20:08 westbaystars: I wouldn't worry too much about it.
20:08 zman: The good running by Araki helped reel in the Hammies a bit
20:08 westbaystars: Morimoto leads off the Fighters' half of the sixth.
20:09 westbaystars: Two quick strikes on Morimoto.
20:09 westbaystars: The third offering breaks the handle of Morimoto's bat as it's blooped to the left side.
20:10 westbaystars: Nori duck out of the way for Ibata calling for the ball behind him.
20:10 westbaystars: Ibata takes the ball in for out number one.
20:10 westbaystars: That brings up Tanaka.
20:11 westbaystars: Takaka hits a safety bunt up the first base side.
20:11 westbaystars: Araki rushes in, scoops the ball in his glove to Woods all in one motion while diving.
20:11 torakichi: Ooh, bunt! Nifty fielding by Araki to get the out.
20:11 westbaystars: And gets the speedy Tanaka for out number two.
20:11 westbaystars: Another Wow! play by Araki.
20:12 westbaystars: Look for that one one YouTube this evening.
20:12 zman: Theres you POD, other than the HR.
20:12 westbaystars: Inaba grounds out to Nori at third, and the Fighters are out in order yet again.
20:12 westbaystars: That's 17 batters in a row retired after Seggy's 3-run blast.
20:13 zman: Impressive outing
20:13 westbaystars: ---
20:13 westbaystars: Top of 7th
20:13 westbaystars: ---
20:14 torakichi: Quite the crowd tonight.
20:14 westbaystars: Full house again.
20:15 westbaystars: Tatsunami leads off the 7th inning for the Fighters.
20:15 westbaystars: Darvish's 90th pitch of the night is fouled back off of Tsuruoka's mask.
20:15 torakichi: Sorry, I meant for this chat. Full house at the Japan Series... tozen!
20:15 westbaystars: Count comes to 2 strikes and a ball.
20:16 westbaystars: And Tatsunami goes down looking at strike three called on the 2-2 pitch.
20:16 westbaystars: The ball just catching the outside corner (a pitch the umpire hadn't called too often tonight).
20:16 westbaystars: Darvish goes double didgits with the strike outs tonight. That being number 10.
20:17 westbaystars: Kanamura follows.
20:17 torakichi: Darvish looked pleased with that decision.
20:17 zman: 21 years old and on the top of NPB
20:17 westbaystars: Nakamura killed the Dragons' rally in the fourth, grounding out to second with runners at first and second.
20:17 torakichi: Whiff!
20:18 westbaystars: And he goes down swinging here. Strike out #11.
20:18 zman: And soon to be a Dad as well
20:18 jonas1102: Royals fan here, is there somewhere i can watch the game
20:18 westbaystars: It's hard to say who is more impressive tonight. Darvish's strike outs or Kawakami's 17 straight outs.
20:18 jonas1102: i'd love to see darvish pitch
20:18 westbaystars: Lee comes up next.
20:19 westbaystars: Lee breaks his bat grounding the ball to the right side.
20:19 westbaystars: Tanaka fields the ball in the hole on the right side.
20:20 westbaystars: Throws to first in time, and the Dragons are retired in order yet again.
20:20 torakichi: Japanese TV coverage? Streaming? On the net? That'll be the day...
20:20 westbaystars: Darvish gives up hits in the even innings. 3-up, 3-down in the odd innings.
20:21 westbaystars: At the end of 6 and a half, the score remains Dragons 1 - 3 Fighters.
20:21 westbaystars: ---
20:21 westbaystars: Bottom of 7th
20:21 westbaystars: ---
20:21 Dave R: NPB markets the game poorly in Japan ... forget overseas
20:22 westbaystars: Seguignol leads off the Fighters' 7th.
20:22 westbaystars: He's swinging at the first pitch up high for strike one.
20:23 westbaystars: It was Seggy's 3-run home run in the first that accounts for the Fighters' only hit of the night.
20:23 zman: Some teams stream their games, I think Softbank does and Rakuten.
20:24 westbaystars: Seggy this time, though, grounds out to second for out number one.
20:24 westbaystars: That brings up Kudoh.
20:25 westbaystars: Kawakami jumps out in front quickly with a pair of strikes.
20:25 westbaystars: Third offering is a check swing foul ball.
20:25 westbaystars: Kawakami just keeps getting better as the game goes on.
20:26 westbaystars: Fourth pitch is a waste pitch outside.
20:26 westbaystars: Kudoh lifts the fifth offering high to the left side.
20:27 westbaystars: Nori camps under the ball. And when it finally comes down, makes the catch for out number two.
20:27 westbaystars: That's 19 batters in a row retired.
20:27 westbaystars: Koyano follows.
20:27 westbaystars: He lifts the ball deep to right field.
20:27 westbaystars: But Lee has it lined up and makes the catch in front of the warning track, near the line.
20:28 westbaystars: 20 batters in a row retired by Kawakami.
20:28 westbaystars: yet, at the end of 7 complete, Kawakami's Dragons trail by a score of 3-1.
20:28 westbaystars: ---
20:28 westbaystars: Top of 8th
20:28 westbaystars: ---
20:28 jonas1102: that is what i figured... i guess i'll look for youtube highlights
20:29 westbaystars: Every year at this time people want to know how to watch the Nippon Series outside of Japan.
20:29 zman: Should be plenty on Darvish
20:30 westbaystars: And for the past 12 years that I've been writing about Pro Yakyu on the Internet, I haven't had a solution for them.
20:30 westbaystars: I'm a failure.
20:30 westbaystars: Tanishige leads off the 8th for the Dragons.
20:30 jonas1102: i dont see why espn couldn't cover it, they do women's world cup soccer
20:30 westbaystars: And ESPN has a tie up with J-Sports in Japan.
20:31 shin: maybe because soccer is more famous worldwide...
20:31 zman: Westbay-san, there is always PtoP but I know you would do that.
20:31 zman: sorry, would not do that
20:32 westbaystars: Darvish's 105th pitch misses up high for ball four.
20:32 torakichi: Yeah, but you'd think others would.
20:32 westbaystars: The leadoff batter is on for the Dragons - Darvish's second walk of the game.
20:32 zman: Its probably on somewhere for J folks living outside of Japan
20:32 westbaystars: Hmm. I'm starting to consider doing it since the powers-that-be aren't.
20:32 westbaystars: It's a real delima.
20:33 westbaystars: I'd like to one day get some sort of official status with NPB.
20:33 zman: So Westbay, according to your theory this is it for the Dragons
20:33 westbaystars: Providing English langauge broadcasts, which they don't do at all is one thing.
20:33 zman: an even inning for Darvish
20:34 westbaystars: But streaming something directly is another.
20:34 westbaystars: Donoue pinch hits, grounding the ball off of Darish's leg.
20:34 zman: Great idea, like NHK does for Sumo.
20:34 westbaystars: Koyano fields the ball, throws to first in time.
20:34 westbaystars: But everyone is concerned about Darvish.
20:36 westbaystars: Right. Even innings are the Dragons' only chance.
20:36 westbaystars: But then again, Darvish has surpassed 100 pitches.
20:36 westbaystars: And Micheal [sic] has been very shaky of late.
20:36 westbaystars: He even beaned Kaneko in an inter-squad game the past week.
20:37 zman: Mr sky high ERA?
20:37 westbaystars: Top of the order in Araki comes up. Runner at second, one out.
20:37 westbaystars: Just in the Climax Series. Post season jinx?
20:37 westbaystars: The TV announcers keep talkinga bout how Darvish knows that Micheal is struggling, so he wants to go all the way.
20:38 westbaystars: Araki hits the ball off home plate, imediately fielding by Tsuruoka.
20:38 Deanna: just got home. dammit I missed all the fun
20:38 westbaystars: The umpire calls the ball fair, and Araki is thrown out at first.
20:38 westbaystars: Tanishige holds at second.
20:38 Deanna: apparently just in time for the Ibata fanfare
20:38 westbaystars: No, the fun's just about to start.
20:39 westbaystars: Yes, that brings up Ibata.
20:39 Deanna: I did watch the somewhat dull 7th inning on my cellphone TV on the train, at least
20:39 torakichi: Big swing!
20:39 westbaystars: Chunichi still hasn't gotten a hit this even inning.
20:39 Deanna: any idea if TV Asahi is really going to cut off the game at 8:54pm?
20:40 zman: ??
20:40 westbaystars: I hope not.
20:40 westbaystars: Ibata grounds the ball to Kaneko at short.
20:40 westbaystars: He throws to first in time for the final out.
20:40 westbaystars: And Darvish breaks the pattern.
20:40 westbaystars: Chunichi is down to their last three outs trailing 1-3.
20:41 westbaystars: ---
20:41 westbaystars: Bottom of 8th
20:41 westbaystars: ---
20:41 Deanna: wow, that's bizarre. I didn't realize Tsuruoka was catching, crazy
20:41 westbaystars: === Quick recap:
20:41 miesque: Nippon series always extend on TV.
20:41 westbaystars: === Bottom of 1st: Walk, Sac, Walk, 3-run home run
20:41 westbaystars: === Kawakami hasn't allowed a runner since.
20:42 westbaystars: === Top of 6th: Hit, Infield Hit and run putting runners at corners.
20:42 westbaystars: === Sac fly
20:42 Deanna: playoffs didn't extend on TV. i was watching a Tigers-Dragons game and BOOM, it just stopped
20:42 Deanna: same for the Fighters playoff. So I hope it's different now
20:43 zman: No errors in the game so far
20:44 westbaystars: Inata grounds out to Ibata on the first pitch. One out.
20:44 westbaystars: 21 batters in a row.
20:44 westbaystars: Kenoko follows.
20:44 zman: 18 Ks in total so far for both pitchers
20:44 Deanna: Inada. Kaneko. [throws bananas at Westbay]
20:45 Deanna: yeah, I just realized the Fighters have only gotten one hit
20:45 westbaystars: 7 for Kawakami, 11 for Darvish.
20:45 Deanna: but dang, was that one big hit
20:45 Deanna: Kaneko singles to center! up go the Shinsengumi flags
20:45 westbaystars: Kaneko grounds the ball to center field. Base hit!
20:45 Deanna: so, TWO hits for the Fighters
20:45 westbaystars: That's the Fighters' second hit of the game.
20:45 westbaystars: The first base runner since Seguignol's 3-run home run in the first.
20:46 westbaystars: That brings up Tsuruoka, showing bunt all the way.
20:46 timmcl: Thanks for the recap, 430 am start here just a bit early
20:46 westbaystars: I remember Tsuruoka being a rather poor bunter. Is that right?
20:47 Deanna: Tsuruoka's been a poor hitter this year in general, but yeah
20:47 Deanna: HOLY
20:47 westbaystars: Hirata came in defensively for the Dragons after Donoue's pinch hit in the top of the eighth.
20:47 Firearm: I'm here
20:47 westbaystars: The ball is bunted.
20:47 Deanna: safe at first AND second!
20:47 westbaystars: The throw to second - safe!
20:47 westbaystars: The relay to first - safe!
20:47 westbaystars: Everybody is safe!
20:47 Firearm: as you guys might know, I'm back in America
20:47 Deanna: Wow, that was one close play at first though
20:48 westbaystars: That was Kawakami's 100th pitchh of the game.
20:48 BeethovenV: Hi all! What's the Score?
20:48 westbaystars: Mori-pitching coach goes out to have a word.
20:48 westbaystars: Dragons 1 - 3 Fighters.
20:48 Deanna: 3-1, bottom of the 8th inning, runners at first and second, one out
20:49 westbaystars: Kawakami put down 21 batters in a row - but after a 3-run home run in the first.
20:49 Deanna: and Hichori at bat and chance music up
20:49 BeethovenV: Thanx!!!
20:49 westbaystars: This is the first time the Fighters have had anyone on base since the first.
20:49 westbaystars: Morimoto up to bat.
20:49 Deanna: Well, I guess you're right, I got home at the right time
20:49 BeethovenV: Wow!
20:50 westbaystars: Darvish has struck out 11 so far, Kawakami 7.
20:50 Deanna: ike ike hichori! ute ute hichori! ike ike sore yuke kattobase hichori!
20:50 westbaystars: Morimoto lifts the ball back behind home plate.
20:51 Deanna: oops
20:51 westbaystars: Tanishige goes back, and makes the catch for out number two.
20:51 westbaystars: Runners at first and second, two down.
20:51 zman: Is the bullpen working Westbay?
20:51 westbaystars: Darvish has come out to start warmin gup outside the third base dugout.
20:51 Deanna: Darvish is still tossing out there in front of the dugout
20:51 westbaystars: Looks like he's going all the way.
20:51 Deanna: kensuke!
20:52 westbaystars: Kensuke Tanaka at the plate.
20:52 westbaystars: The second offering goes through Tanishige's legs, but Tanishige gets to it before anyone can move.
20:53 westbaystars: 1 and 1 the count.
20:53 westbaystars: Third offering catches the outside corner, strike two.
20:53 westbaystars: And the fourth pitch is a broken bat comebacker.
20:53 Deanna: whoops. Kensuke's bat goes flying along with the ball, Kawakami fielding the weak grounder easily
20:54 westbaystars: It looks like the bat might have hit Kawakami as he fielded the ball.
20:54 Deanna: You know, Chunichi's really screwed if anything happens to Tanishige
20:54 westbaystars: Still, he got the ball, and threw to first in time for the final out of the inning.
20:54 westbaystars: Going to the Dragons' last chance, they trail by 2; 1-3.
20:54 westbaystars: ---
20:54 westbaystars: Top of 9th
20:54 westbaystars: ---
20:55 jonas1102: Darvish will strike out the side
20:55 Dave R: Was Tsuroka's bunt scored as a base hit? Yahoo Japan scoreboard still shows 2 hits for the Fighters.
20:56 Deanna: due up: Dragonbutt, Woods, Tatsunami?
20:56 Deanna: I don't think Tsuruoka's bunt was a hit, it was a sacrifice and a failed fielder's choice I think
20:56 westbaystars: Tsuruoka's bunt was scored a sacrifice-fielder's choice.
20:57 Deanna: with normal fielding, it advances Kaneko to second and Tsuruoka's out at first
20:57 Firearm: yep, here it comes, last shot
20:57 Deanna: Morino grounds out to second. One out
20:57 westbaystars: Darvish gets Morino to ground out to the right side.
20:57 westbaystars: One away.
20:57 Firearm: Deanna, yet I think the Dragons need to think of grooming his heir
20:57 westbaystars: That brings up Woods.
20:58 westbaystars: First pitch up high is swung on and missed. Strike one.
20:58 torakichi: Big swing!
20:58 Beethoven: Go Yu!!!
20:58 westbaystars: Second offering misses high and inside. 1 and 1.
20:58 westbaystars: The third offering is swung on and missed. Strike two.
20:58 westbaystars: Woods going after the same high and in pitch.
20:59 torakichi: Whoa! Woods is really going after it.
20:59 Deanna: karaburi sanshin!
20:59 Deanna: Ato hitori!
20:59 westbaystars: The fourth offering is swung on and missed - strike three!
20:59 westbaystars: Strike out victim #12.
20:59 westbaystars: 後一人。One more out.
20:59 westbaystars: Tatsunami stands in.
20:59 Firearm: Woods hasn't done anything against the Fighters, I don't think
20:59 westbaystars: He accounds for 3 of those 12 strike outs.
20:59 zman: Bad at bat for Woods, he needed to get on base.
21:00 Firearm: not last year, not this year's interleague (I went to Darvish/Kawakami in the regular season, BTW), not here yet
21:00 westbaystars: The 1-1 offering misses down low. 1 strike, 2 balls.
21:00 westbaystars: Fourth offering misses low and inside.
21:00 Deanna: and so does the next pitch. 3-1 or 1-3 depending on where you are
21:01 westbaystars: Fifth offering misses low and in, ball four.
21:01 westbaystars: That brings the tying run to the plate in the person of Nakamura.
21:01 Deanna: wow
21:01 shin: we're still alive!
21:01 westbaystars: First pitch misses low and away, ball one.
21:02 Firearm: Nori with a chance to tie the game!
21:02 westbaystars: Nakamura has a hit, ground out, and struck out.
21:02 zman: Woods would have better to try to get the walk as well. He must be pissed by the Ks.
21:02 westbaystars: Second offering bounces behind the plate. Ball two.
21:02 westbaystars: Hillman-kantoku heads out to the mound himself.
21:02 Deanna: conference at the mound
21:03 westbaystars: He says a short word and returns.
21:03 westbaystars: Darvish has thrown 130 pitches so far.
21:03 zman: Hillman should pull him . . . if theres someone warmed up.
21:03 jonas1102: does hillman speak japanese?
21:03 Deanna: whew, a strike
21:03 torakichi: He can say "shinjirarenaaaai"
21:03 westbaystars: The third offering to Nakamura is over the outside part of the plate, called strike one.
21:03 Deanna: Hillman speaks Japanexanese
21:04 Deanna: he can say "hokkaido no minnasan wa sekai ichiban! machigainai!" and stuff like that
21:04 westbaystars: Fourth offering is grounded foul to the third base side.
21:04 westbaystars: 2 and 2.
21:04 Deanna: YES!
21:04 Deanna: karaburi sanSHIN!
21:04 westbaystars: Strike three.
21:05 westbaystars: 13 strike outs in a game is a new Nippon Series record.
21:05 Deanna: 13 strikeouts was that?
21:05 Firearm: Nori's been decent
21:05 Firearm: er...
21:05 westbaystars: And the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters take Game 1 by a score of 3-1.
21:05 Firearm: ....trying to fill Kosuke's role
21:05 Deanna: whoa. I just read the entire Shube section on Series records last night
21:05 zman: Wow!
21:05 Beethoven3: Wow! That's an exciting finish!
21:05 westbaystars: Yes, 11 going into the 9th, Woods + Nori.
21:06 Deanna: it looked like 13 was the record. I think he just tied it
21:06 westbaystars: I didn't rely on my memory for the record. The TV announcers said it.
21:06 torakichi: Well done to both pitchers. A real duel.
21:06 timmcl: How many total hits allowed by Darvish?
21:07 zman: Great match to start the J series.
21:07 Firearm: yeah, Kenshin lost only making one mistake
21:07 miesque: Hero interview is Darvish.
21:07 Beethoven3: Michael-san, you made me feel like I was at the stadium! Thanks!
21:07 westbaystars: Pull out Shube. Page 36. You're right. He tied it.
21:07 zman: Four
21:07 jonas1102: thank you for the gamelog, work on getting it streamed for next season
21:07 Firearm: 6 combined hits by both teams
21:07 westbaystars: We have the Kantoku Interview first.
21:08 timmcl: Tks
21:08 westbaystars: Hillman-kantoku says that Darvish was just outstanding.
21:08 shin: Thanks!
21:08 westbaystars: Got into a couple of problems, but pitched out of them.
21:08 shin: Too bad the Dragons lost, though =(
21:08 Dave R: Yes, thanks for the game call!
21:08 torakichi: Thanks Westbaystars-san.
21:08 Deanna: yup. page 36 is what I am looking at right now
21:08 westbaystars: Seggy's home run was a huge home run.
21:08 westbaystars: It's been a pleasure all.
21:09 Deanna: looks like Kudoh in 1999 and someone else who got 13 in 13 innings
21:09 Firearm: well shin, they were up against Darvish
21:09 westbaystars: Hillman-kantoku recognizes the importance of that home run as Kawakami set down 21 straight batters.
21:09 westbaystars: And the TV is gone!
21:09 Firearm: the game I went to, Darvish made many mistakes in the 1st and the Dragons were able to hang on
21:09 Beethoven3: Is it possible to get a complete copy of the transcript? I came in late.
21:09 zman: Great pitching stops the Dragons momentum after five victories
21:09 Firearm: no such mistakes this time
21:09 westbaystars: The June 16 game I mentioned?
21:10 westbaystars: Where Darvish went the complete game for the loss?
21:10 Firearm: yep Westbay, I was there!
21:11 zman: dragons BA for game was .138
21:12 zman: Hamsters, .080
21:12 jonas1102: go fighters... oyasuminasai
21:12 westbaystars: Kudoh's was in extra innings. He only had 10 after 9 innings.
21:13 Deanna: ahhh. Yoshiro Sotokoba
21:13 Deanna: that's the other one, Hiroshima 1975. Sawamura award winner and all
21:14 westbaystars: Yes. I just found him - Sotokoba.
21:15 Deanna: no, dude, I think Sotokoba's was in extra innings, not Kudoh's
21:15 westbaystars: Had a 15 year career with the Carp. Went to just 1 Nippon Series in 1975.
21:15 Deanna: ironically, Kudoh's was against... Chunichi
21:15 westbaystars: Where he only played 2 games.
21:15 Deanna: Kudoh only pitched in one game of the 1999 Japan Series, game 1. Struck out 13. Daiei won 3-0
21:16 westbaystars: I think you're right.
21:16 Deanna: So now Darvish has done the same thing Kudoh did (well, winning 3-1 instead of 3-0)
21:16 westbaystars: It was Sotokoba who threw extra innings.
21:17 westbaystars: I still think that Kawakami's 21 batters in a row was more impressive.
21:17 westbaystars: But Darvish will get all the press.
21:18 sportkrank: What was the final?
21:18 Deanna: Nah, I don't think Kenshin's accomplishment is as incredible -- because the Fighters bats suck
21:18 westbaystars: 3-1 Fighters.
21:18 westbaystars: Lol.
21:19 westbaystars: I suppose that's one way to take away from that accomplishment.
21:19 Deanna: Darvish struck out EVERY Chunichi batter at least once, except the pinch-hitting Donoue brother
21:19 Deanna: And Chunichi guys, for the most part, actually know how to hit a baseball with a bat
21:20 Deanna: (I really overdosed last night on Japan Series data)
21:21 Beethoven3: Deanna-san, I really enjoy your box scores! :]]
21:21 Deanna: thanks! So do I!
21:22 Beethoven3: So, how many close moments did Darvish have?
21:23 westbaystars: The 4th innings was the Dragons' biggest chance.
21:23 westbaystars: They had runners at first and second with one out.
21:24 westbaystars: Tatsunami struck out, the Nori grounded out to second.
21:24 westbaystars: Their one run came in the 6th.
21:24 Beethoven3: That's close!
21:24 westbaystars: Araki led off with a base hit to center.
21:24 Firearm: Tatsunami hasn't been very effective as a DH
21:24 Deanna: OH, I get why Tatsunami was batting 5th -- the L-R-L-R. But I think I would have moved him down
21:24 westbaystars: Then with Araki on the run, Ibata grounded the ball to the left side.
21:25 westbaystars: Kaneko threw to first - not in time.
21:25 westbaystars: Araki broke for third on the throw, and made it.
21:25 westbaystars: He was then sacrifice home.
21:25 westbaystars: Woods then killed it all with a double play ball to third.
21:26 Firearm: the media will jump all over Tyrone
21:26 westbaystars: Tatsunami is one of those veteran players that are well loved by the fans.
21:27 Firearm: and he's still a danged good hitter
21:27 Deanna: Tatsunami is also the current career hits leader in Japan, isn't he?
21:27 westbaystars: As I mentioned earlier, there were a *lot* of Tatsunami jerseys outside of Tokyo Dome for CLCS Game 3.
21:28 Deanna: Well, after 22 years or whatever, an awful lot of people would have Tatsunami jerseys
21:28 Firearm: man, I wish they still sold old-school Tatsunami jerseys (the Dodger ripoff jerseys)
21:29 Firearm: I do have a Tatsunami practice jersey, though
21:29 westbaystars: Yes, Tatsunami leads Yokohama's Ishii by a good margin.
21:30 Deanna: wow, looking at the 1988 Seibu-Chunichi Japan Series is great. I think there are 3 guys still active from then
21:31 Deanna: Tatsunami, Kudoh, and Kiyohara (if he counts). Well, and Ochiai of course
21:31 westbaystars: What about Masa?
21:32 westbaystars: Didn't he get started about then?
21:32 Deanna: OH. Yeah, Masa
21:32 Firearm: pffft :P
21:32 Firearm: yeah, the Dragons took the automatic loss all season
21:33 Firearm: IMO Masa hasn't recovered (and probably won't) from losing in Game 2 last year
21:34 Deanna: he's really never going to get to 200 wins. poor guy.
21:35 westbaystars: He only has 7 to go. Only managed 2 wins to 10 losses this year.
21:35 westbaystars: Bummer.
21:36 westbaystars: To get so close.
21:36 Deanna: what's still crazy is how it was only a year ago or so that he was doing things like pitching a no-hitter
21:36 Deanna: remember? he was *untouchable* in the Dragons pennant run last September
21:38 westbaystars: Masa seems to be one of those pitchers who gets hot and cold on alternate seasons.
21:38 Deanna: Maybe... but I'm not sure how many seasons he has left
21:38 westbaystars: Like he's over worked one year, gets enough rest the next.
21:38 Beethoven3: Was Kawakami in for the whole 9 innings today?
21:39 westbaystars: Yep.
21:39 westbaystars: Both pitchers went the distance.
21:40 Deanna: You know... the Dragons won game 1 of the Series last year, Kawakami vs. Darvish, at home... and then lost the next 4
21:40 Beethoven3: Isn't his 21 strikeouts in a row a record?
21:40 Deanna: So maybe the Fighters winning Game 1, Kawakami vs. Darvish, at home... wasn't such a great omen
21:40 westbaystars: It wasn't strike outs. It was consecutive outs.
21:40 Deanna: It wasn't 21 strikeouts in a row, it was 21 retired batters in a row
21:40 Beethoven3: Ahh! I understand. Pretty impressive, though.
21:41 westbaystars: Seeing flash of Kawakami winning Game 1 at home last year?
21:41 Beethoven3: No. Do you have that?
21:41 westbaystars: Consecutive outs isn't one of the records in Shube (Shukan Baseball), unfortunately.
21:42 Beethoven3: That's too bad!
21:42 Deanna: yeah, doesn't appear to be
21:43 Beethoven3: So, pardon my asking, has Darvish tied or beaten a record today?
21:43 westbaystars: Shube - no. 2007 Record Book - no. Checking Encyclopedia.
21:43 Deanna: what's the one for Kudoh in 1994? something about 3-pitch strikeouts?
21:44 Deanna: it looks like it says he literally threw 9 pitches in the 3rd inning of the 2nd game and struck out three guys in a row
21:45 Deanna: and Darvish tied the record for strikeouts in a single 9-inning Japan Series game
21:47 westbaystars: Well, I'm sure Nikkan Sports will have it in the morning.
21:47 Beethoven4: sorry all this leaving...browser or firewall problems
21:48 Beethoven4: how many strikeouts did Darvish have today? 13?
21:48 westbaystars: Cookies are being accepted?
21:48 westbaystars: And JavaScript is on?
21:49 Beethoven4: Javascript must be on
21:49 westbaystars: Yes 13. That's the record he tied with Kudoh and Sotokoba.
21:50 Deanna: oh crap, I just realized my stomach is growling because I haven't eaten since noon -- I better go find something to eat
21:50 Deanna: bye guys! maybe see you here tomorrow. whatsit, Nakata vs. Masaru?
21:51 westbaystars: See you tomorrow at the end of the game.
21:52 Beethoven4: Bye Deanna! :]
21:52 Deanna: no, I don't have work tomorrow -- but I'm hoping to go watch it somwhere besides home
21:52 Beethoven4: How does the pitching matchup for tomorrow's game look? anyone?
21:52 timmcl: Thanks for the game call and interesting discussion, breakfast time and work calls
21:53 westbaystars: I was hoping that they'd show the matchup at the end of the game.
21:53 westbaystars: But the TV left too soon.
21:53 westbaystars: I need some chocolate.
21:53 Beethoven4: It's Nakata against Glynn, I believe
21:54 westbaystars: I think the rain has paused. Just long enough to go to the conbini.
21:54 Beethoven4: Well thanks a million for doing this!!! :]]]
21:54 Deanna: Yeah, the rain seems to be letting up here in Dasaitama too
21:55 westbaystars: My pleasure.
21:55 westbaystars: Take care all.
21:55 Deanna: and yes, thanks for the chatroom so I had somewhere to ramble when I got home !
21:55 Beethoven4: Bye Michael-san, everyone else. :]]
The following is the full game recount for your pleasure:
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2007/10/27
CHATROOM 2007 Nippon Series/Game 1
15:59 Deanna: wow. I'm trying this from my keitai
17:58 afc wimbledon: hi what time's game 1?
18:01 afc wim: @@@@@@@
18:05 westbaystars: Welcome to the first game of the 2007 Nippon Series.
18:05 westbaystars: The game starts in a little more than 10 minutes from now.
18:07 westbaystars: The starting lineups:
18:07 westbaystars: Chunichi Dragonss:
18:07 westbaystars: 1 2B Araki
18:07 westbaystars: 2 SS Ibata
18:07 westbaystars: 3 LF Morino
18:07 westbaystars: 4 1B Woods
18:07 westbaystars: 5 DH Tatsunami
18:07 westbaystars: 6 3B Nakamura
18:07 westbaystars: 7 RF Lee
18:07 westbaystars: 8 C Tanishige
18:08 westbaystars: 9 CF Fujii
18:08 westbaystars: ---
18:08 westbaystars: Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters:
18:08 westbaystars: 1 CF Morimoto
18:08 westbaystars: 2 2B Tanaka
18:08 westbaystars: 3 RF Inaba
18:08 westbaystars: 4 DH Seguignol
18:08 westbaystars: 5 LF Kudoh
18:09 westbaystars: 6 3B Koyano
18:09 westbaystars: 7 1B Inada
18:09 westbaystars: 8 SS Kaneko
18:09 westbaystars: 9 C Tsuruoka
18:09 westbaystars: ---
18:09 westbaystars: Starting pitchers:
18:09 westbaystars: Kawakami (CD) vs. Darvishi (HNHF)
18:14 westbaystars: Cheerleaders are clearing the field.
18:14 westbaystars: Cerimonial first pitch is thrown.,
18:14 westbaystars: Araki swings and misses.
18:14 westbaystars: ---
18:14 westbaystars: Top of 1st
18:14 westbaystars: ---
18:15 westbaystars: Darvish takes the mound and is completing his warm up pitches.
18:16 westbaystars: Araki is announed.
18:16 westbaystars: Darvish's first pitch (from the streach) is down the middle.
18:17 westbaystars: Fouled off to the right side, strike one.
18:17 westbaystars: And the 2007 Nippon Series is underway.
18:17 westbaystars: Another foul off to the right side. Two quick strikes on Araki.
18:17 westbaystars: Third offering misses up high, 2 strikes and a ball.
18:18 westbaystars: Fourth offering is swung on and missed, strike three.
18:18 westbaystars: Darvish's 210 strike outs led the league.
18:19 westbaystars: And he's put the first pitch to Ibata over for strike one.
18:19 westbaystars: Second offering misses high and tight, 1 and 1.
18:19 westbaystars: Third offering is grounded just left of the second base bag.
18:19 westbaystars: Kaneko up with it and throws to first for out number two.
18:20 westbaystars: Kawakami is up in front of the first base dugout throwing.
18:20 westbaystars: While Morino stands in, a left handed batter.
18:20 westbaystars: Morino takes strike one on the inside corner.
18:20 westbaystars: 154 kph.
18:21 westbaystars: Second offering is fouled off to the right side. Two quick strikes on Morino.
18:21 westbaystars: Third offering bounces in front of home plate. Two strikes and a ball.
18:21 westbaystars: Fourth offering misses outside, 2 and 2.
18:22 westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch high and away is swung on and missed, strike three.
18:22 westbaystars: So Darvish puts down the Dragons in order with a pair of Ks in the first.
18:22 westbaystars: After half an inning, there's no score.
18:22 westbaystars: ---
18:22 westbaystars: Bottom of 1st
18:22 westbaystars: ---
18:24 westbaystars: Kawakami takes the mound for the Chunichi Dragons.
18:24 westbaystars: He defeated the Fighters in Game 1 of the 2006 Nippon Series.
18:24 westbaystars: And also beat Darvish during inter-league this past season.
18:25 westbaystars: Morimoto stands in.
18:25 westbaystars: The first pitch by Kawakami misses low and away, ball one.
18:25 westbaystars: Second offering misses low and inside. Ball two.
18:26 westbaystars: Hichori is 2 for 4 against Kawakami.
18:26 westbaystars: After getting a pitch over for strike one, Kawakami misses with the next pitch.
18:26 westbaystars: 1 strike, 3 balls.
18:26 westbaystars: The fifth offering misses inside, ball four.
18:27 westbaystars: The leadoff man is on board for the Fighters.
18:27 westbaystars: That brings up Kensuke Tanaka.
18:28 westbaystars: A throw over to first and Hichori dives back in - ahead of the tag.
18:28 westbaystars: Tanaka showing bunt.
18:28 westbaystars: He lays the first pitch down toward the pitcher.
18:28 westbaystars: Kawakami is up with the ball, throws to first.
18:28 westbaystars: And the sacrifice is successful.
18:29 westbaystars: Hillman-kantoku going for the one run strategy, hoping that Darvish can keep this game low scoring.
18:29 westbaystars: Inaba comes up.
18:29 westbaystars: And fouls the first pitch off to the left side.
18:29 westbaystars: As the fans create a mini-earthquake with their Inaba Jump.
18:30 westbaystars: Second offering is fouled off an out of play to the left side.
18:30 westbaystars: Third offering by Kawakami misses just inside.
18:30 westbaystars: Kawakami and Tanishige both want to know where that one missed.
18:31 westbaystars: Nomura-kantoku agrees with me, some umpires don't call three straight strikes if it's close.
18:31 westbaystars: Fourth offering misses outside bringing the count to 2 and 2.
18:32 westbaystars: Next offering misses low and in, and the third base umpire says that Inaba didn't swing.
18:32 westbaystars: Full count. First one of the night.
18:33 westbaystars: Shoubu pitch bounces up there, taken for ball four.
18:33 westbaystars: So the Fighters have runners at first and second with one out and without a hit.
18:33 westbaystars: With Seguignol coming to the plate.
18:33 westbaystars: Seguignol hit .286 with 1 home run and 3 RBIs against Kawakami in last year's Nippon Series.
18:34 westbaystars: Swings and misses the fork ball for strike one.
18:34 westbaystars: The second offering is called strike two, low and away.
18:34 westbaystars: Seguignol has a short word about what he thought of that call.
18:35 westbaystars: Everyone looks up.
18:35 westbaystars: Haittaaaaaaaaa!
18:35 westbaystars: Home run.
18:36 westbaystars: Darvish, warming up in front of the third base dugout, paused in his wind up to watch it.
18:36 westbaystars: Seggy got all of that one.
18:36 westbaystars: And the Fighters take a 3-0 lead here in the first. With one big hit.
18:37 westbaystars: That brings up Kudoh with the bases empty and one out.
18:37 westbaystars: After taking the first pitch for a ball, Kudoh fouls the second offering off to even the count at 1 and 1.
18:38 westbaystars: Two pitches later, Kudoh watches strike three go by.
18:38 westbaystars: Two down here in the bottom of the first.
18:38 westbaystars: That brings up Koyano.
18:38 westbaystars: Koyano swings and fouls the first pitch off to the right side.
18:39 westbaystars: The second offering is lifted to shallow right field.
18:39 westbaystars: Araki goes out, Fujii and Lee in.
18:39 westbaystars: And it's Araki who makes the catch for out number three.
18:39 westbaystars: But not before a pair of walks and a three run home run by Seguignol put the Fighters up 3-0.
18:39 westbaystars: ---
18:39 westbaystars: Top of 2nd
18:39 westbaystars: ---
18:41 westbaystars: Woods leads off the top of the second for the Dragons.
18:41 westbaystars: There had been a lot of hype about Darvish vs. Woods.
18:42 westbaystars: (Nothing about Kawakami vs. Seguignol. Hmmm.)
18:42 westbaystars: First pitch to Woods catches the outside corner for strike one.
18:42 westbaystars: Second offering is fouled off to the right side.
18:42 westbaystars: Darvish is a strike throwing machine tonight.
18:42 westbaystars: Getting ahead in the count constantly.
18:42 westbaystars: Wastes a pitch up high, ball one.
18:43 westbaystars: Fourth offering just misses a little high, ball two. 2 and 2.
18:43 westbaystars: Fifth offering misses outside, and Woods isn't going for it.
18:43 westbaystars: Full count.
18:44 westbaystars: The next offering is inside, swung on and missed! Strike three.
18:44 westbaystars: That's Darvish's third strike out of the evening, out of four batters.
18:44 westbaystars: And that brings up DH Tatsunami.
18:44 westbaystars: Tatsunami takes the first pitch on the inside corner for strike one.
18:45 westbaystars: An informal count of uniforms outside of Tokyo Dome for Game 3 of the Climax Series saw Tatsunami as the most popular.
18:45 westbaystars: But inside Tokyo Dome, it looked like Inaba was the most popular - especially with the famales.
18:46 westbaystars: Two pitches later, Darvish is up 2 strikes and a ball.
18:46 westbaystars: The fourth offering low and inside is swung on and missed, strike three.
18:46 westbaystars: Strike out number 4 for Darvish.
18:47 westbaystars: That brings up Nakamura.
18:47 westbaystars: Nori takes the first pitch for ball one. Was that the first first pitch ball?
18:47 westbaystars: The second offering is a strike.
18:47 westbaystars: And the third offering break's Nori's bat and is blooped into left field for a base hit.
18:48 westbaystars: That's the first Chunichi base runner of the evening, and it's not even a solid hit.
18:48 westbaystars: Lee stands in the left handed batter's box and takes strike one on the outside corner.
18:48 westbaystars: The second offering is grounded to the right side.
18:49 westbaystars: Inada fields the ball, underhands to Darvish covering.
18:49 westbaystars: And the side is retired.
18:49 westbaystars: So the Dragons get their first base runner, but come up empty in the second.
18:49 westbaystars: After 1 and a half, the Fighters hold onto a 3-0 lead.
18:49 westbaystars: ---
18:49 westbaystars: Bottom of 2nd
18:49 westbaystars: ---
18:51 westbaystars: Inada leads off the Nippon Ham half of the second inning.
18:52 westbaystars: Kawakami's first offing misses up and away for ball one.
18:52 westbaystars: Shows bunt and takes the second pitch down the middle. 1 and 1.
18:52 westbaystars: The third offering is lifted toward the gap in left-center.
18:53 westbaystars: But Morino comes over and, on the run, makes a leaping catch.
18:53 westbaystars: One down in the bottom of the second.
18:53 westbaystars: That brings up Kaneko.
18:54 westbaystars: Kanemo usually bats 9th, I thought. Batting in the #8 slot tonight.
18:54 westbaystars: After two quick strikes, fouls the third offering off. Count remains 2 strikes and no balls.
18:55 westbaystars: Fourth offering misses inside. Ball one.
18:55 Deanna: Hi! Good thing I popped in to point out that Inaba jerseys would not be popular with Chunichi female fans *)
18:55 westbaystars: And Kaneko goes down swinging on a low and away pitch for out number two.
18:55 westbaystars: Argh! Did I do it again?
18:55 westbaystars: Ibata! Ibata!
18:55 westbaystars: That brings up Tsuruoka.
18:56 Deanna: ...and I have to go again, but, wheee go Fighters go Seggy go bananas!
18:57 westbaystars: Count goes even at 2 and 2 to Tsuruoka.
18:57 westbaystars: 45% of Kawakami's pitches so far have been his cut fastball.
18:57 westbaystars: A couple more fouls, and the count remains 2 and 2.
18:59 westbaystars: And after yet another foul ball, Tsuruoka finally goes down swinging for out number three.
18:59 westbaystars: The Fighters go down in order here in the second.
18:59 westbaystars: ---
18:59 westbaystars: Top of 3rd
18:59 westbaystars: ---
18:59 afc wimbledon: thanks gotta go
19:00 westbaystars: The Dragons in the third will be sending up numbers 8, 9, and 1 batters.
19:00 westbaystars: Tanishige, Fujii, and Araki.
19:00 westbaystars: Have a good one!
19:01 westbaystars: First pitch by Darvish to Tanishige is down the middle.
19:01 westbaystars: Taken for strike one.
19:01 westbaystars: Second offering fouled back. Two quick strikes on Tanishige.
19:02 westbaystars: Darvishi is reall going after batters early.
19:03 westbaystars: After fouling another one back, Darish goes low and away, *just* missing. But this umpire isn't going to call that ...
19:03 westbaystars: ... with two strikes.
19:03 westbaystars: The fifth offering is a little bit more over the plate, and Tanishige swings and misses.
19:04 westbaystars: Strike out victim #5.
19:04 westbaystars: That brings up Fujii.
19:05 westbaystars: Fujii breaks his bat, but grounds the ball back to Darvish.
19:05 westbaystars: Yu-chan throws to first in plenty of time. Two quick outs.
19:05 westbaystars: That brings us back to the top of the Dragons' order in Araki.
19:06 westbaystars: Araki takes a 1 strike, 2 ball count pitch to right field.
19:07 westbaystars: Inaba comes in and makes the catch for out number three.
19:07 westbaystars: The Dragons go down in order for the second time tonight.
19:07 westbaystars: And continue trailing by a score of 0-3.
19:07 westbaystars: ---
19:07 westbaystars: Bottom of 3rd
19:07 westbaystars: ---
19:09 westbaystars: Moromito leads off the bottom of the third for the Fighters.
19:09 westbaystars: Hichori is swinging at the first pitch, grounding the ball up the middle.
19:10 westbaystars: Ibata fields the ball just left and behind the second base bag.
19:10 westbaystars: Throws a little wide of first base, but Woods handles it fine.
19:10 westbaystars: One pitch, one out here in the bottom of the third.
19:10 westbaystars: And that brings up Kensuke Tanaka.
19:11 westbaystars: 8 for 20 (.400), 0 HR, 4RBI in Climax Series.
19:12 westbaystars: Tanaka goes down looking at a 2-2 pitch on the outside corner.
19:12 westbaystars: Two down here in the bottom of the third.
19:12 westbaystars: And that brings up Inaba.
19:14 westbaystars: Count comes even at 2 and 2 with two down.
19:14 westbaystars: And the next offering down the middle is swung on and missed. Strike three.
19:15 westbaystars: That retires the Fighters in order for the second time in a row.
19:15 westbaystars: At the end of 3 complete, the Fighters hold on to their 3-0 lead.
19:15 westbaystars: ---
19:15 westbaystars: Top of 4th
19:15 westbaystars: ---
19:15 westbaystars: ===
19:15 westbaystars: Quick review:
19:16 westbaystars: Bottom of 1st:
19:16 westbaystars: Morimoto walks, sacrificed to second, Inaba walks.
19:16 westbaystars: Seguignol homers to right-center.
19:16 westbaystars: Fighters up 3-0.
19:16 westbaystars: ===
19:17 westbaystars: Ibata leads off the fourth for the Dragons.
19:17 westbaystars: And this is the third batter in a row that Darvish didn't get the first pitch over for a strike.
19:17 westbaystars: And after he was so good at it the first couple of innings.
19:18 westbaystars: Ibata swings and misses a 2-2 pitch in the dirt outside, strike out number 6 for Darvish.
19:19 westbaystars: That brings up Morino who takes the first pitch for strike one.
19:20 westbaystars: The third offering is grounded to the right side, and through!
19:20 westbaystars: Base hit to right, putting a one out runner on for Woods.
19:21 westbaystars: After missing inside on the first pitch and low and away on the second,
19:21 zman: TIme for Woods to show Segui who is King of the long ball
19:22 westbaystars: Darvish throws a changeup down the middle, taken by Woods for strike one.
19:22 westbaystars: The fourth offering misses low and away.
19:22 westbaystars: And Woods walks on five pitches.
19:22 westbaystars: That's the first walk given up by Darvish, and puts runners at first and second with one out.
19:23 westbaystars: That brings up Tatsunami.
19:23 westbaystars: The Central League-centric press sure did play up Woods a lot more than Seguignol.
19:24 westbaystars: And Tatsunami goes down swinging on four pitches.
19:25 westbaystars: Striking out for the second time this game.
19:25 westbaystars: Strike out victim number 4 and 7.
19:25 westbaystars: That brings up Nori, who's swinging for the fences.
19:26 westbaystars: And the umpire doesn't give Darvish a slider over the plate, just below the knees.
19:26 westbaystars: I think I'm siding with the umpire on that one. 1 and 1 the count.
19:27 westbaystars: 2 more pitches, 2 and 2 the count. 2 outs, 2 on.
19:27 westbaystars: Two are wild.
19:28 westbaystars: The next pitch misses inside, just missing Nori's back shin.
19:28 westbaystars: Full count.
19:28 westbaystars: The 勝負 (shoubu) pitch is grounded to the right side.
19:28 westbaystars: Tanaka comes over.
19:29 westbaystars: Inada was also going for the ball and can't get back.
19:29 westbaystars: But Darvish covers, takes the throw from Tanaka.
19:29 westbaystars: and the side is retired.
19:29 westbaystars: So the Dragons put two on in the fourth, but still come up empty.
19:29 westbaystars: After 3 and a half, the Fighters continue to lead this one 3-0.
19:29 westbaystars: ---
19:29 westbaystars: Bottom of 4th
19:29 westbaystars: ---
19:30 torakichi: I've given up on the ABC commentary. it's just too painful. Who's the "kantoku" they've hired for tonight?
19:31 westbaystars: Nomura-kantoku.
19:31 westbaystars: To go along with the "Nomura Scope."
19:31 westbaystars: Seguginol stands in.
19:31 torakichi: Thought so. Man, he's worse than I remember him.
19:32 westbaystars: It was Seggy's first inning home 3-run home run that's accounted for tonight's score.
19:32 torakichi: Just saw a replay. Big hit.
19:33 westbaystars: 2-2 offering by Kawakami is lifted to left-center.
19:33 westbaystars: Looks like it's going to be tough, but Fujii comes out of nowhere to make the grab on the run.
19:33 westbaystars: At the warning track.
19:34 westbaystars: Fujii almost lost his balance lunging for that one at the last second.
19:34 westbaystars: Kudoh lifts his first pitch pretty much to where Morino is playing in left.
19:34 westbaystars: Two quick outs here in the bottom of the 4th.
19:34 westbaystars: That brings up Koyano.
19:35 westbaystars: Koyano lifts the ball to right-center.
19:36 westbaystars: But Fujii is camped under the ball, and makes the catch for out number three.
19:36 westbaystars: The Fighters have gone down in order every inning since the second.
19:36 westbaystars: At the end of four complete, the Fighters lead by a score of 3-0.
19:36 westbaystars: ---
19:36 westbaystars: Top of 5th
19:36 westbaystars: ---
19:37 miesque: Time is quickly and chance is a few.
19:37 westbaystars: Kawakami has really settled down after the first.
19:37 westbaystars: But the damage was done.
19:38 westbaystars: Lee leads off the fifth for the Dragons.
19:38 westbaystars: And Darvish throws two straight balls.
19:39 westbaystars: For Darvish, he's thrown more bad pitches as the game has progressed.
19:39 westbaystars: The opposite of Kawakami getting stronger each inning.
19:40 westbaystars: But Darvish comes back and gets Lee swinging at a 2-2 offering outside.
19:40 torakichi: I have a feeling the 4th inning was the one chance Dragons are going to get to draw even.
19:40 westbaystars: That was Darvish's 69th pitch of the game.
19:40 westbaystars: Tanishige lifts the ball to center.
19:41 westbaystars: And makes the catch for out number two.
19:41 westbaystars: Fujii follows showing bunt on the first pitch, taking the bat back for a called strike one.
19:41 westbaystars: Fujii grounded out to Darvish his first at bat.
19:42 westbaystars: Darvish's 75th pitch of the game is over for a called strike two. 2 and 2, 2 down, nobody on.
19:43 westbaystars: The next offering in the dirt is swung on and missed.
19:43 westbaystars: Fujii starts toward first. The throw to first retires the side.
19:43 westbaystars: Chunichi is down in order for their 3rd time this game.
19:43 westbaystars: And continue to trail 0-3.
19:43 westbaystars: ---
19:43 westbaystars: Bottom of 5th
19:44 westbaystars: ---
19:45 miesque: It's difficult timing that next pitcher change.
19:45 westbaystars: Inada leads off the Fighters' fifth.
19:46 westbaystars: Darvish is going to be going for the complete game.
19:46 westbaystars: He's been unhittable every other inning.
19:47 westbaystars: Kawakami just has to give 7+ innings.
19:48 zman: yahoo sports shows darvish giving up just two hits
19:48 westbaystars: Inada works the count to 2 and 2.
19:48 zman: and kawakami only one
19:48 westbaystars: Yeah, and Kawakami has only given up one. The 3-run home run.
19:48 zman: one hitter and he is down by three
19:48 miesque: I think so too.
19:48 zman: ouch!
19:49 westbaystars: But foul.
19:49 westbaystars: Walks kill.
19:49 westbaystars: Shoubu pitch again, it's grounded to the right side.
19:50 westbaystars: Araki fields the ball rushing in, and throws Inada out.
19:50 westbaystars: That brings up Kaneko.
19:52 westbaystars: Kawakami comes back with a pair of strikes to bring the count full to Kaneko.
19:52 westbaystars: Shoubu pitch is swung on and missed. Strike three.
19:52 westbaystars: I believe that was Kawakami's 79th pitch of the evening.
19:53 westbaystars: No, that was just 72 pitches.
19:53 westbaystars: Tsuruoka follows.
19:54 westbaystars: Strike three called on the outside corner, and the Fighters are down in order yet again in the fifth.
19:54 westbaystars: In fact, after Seguignol's 3-run home run, Kawakami has set down 14 Fighters in a row.
19:55 westbaystars: Yet, at the end of five complete, the Fighters lead this one 3-0.
19:55 westbaystars: ===
19:55 engrey: hello all
19:55 westbaystars: Review
19:55 westbaystars: Bottom of first:
19:55 westbaystars: Morimoto walks.
19:55 zman: I show 7 Ks for him as well
19:55 westbaystars: Tanaka sacrifices Morimoto to second.
19:56 westbaystars: Inaba walks.
19:56 westbaystars: Seguignol homers deep to right-center.
19:56 westbaystars: Fighters up 3-0.
19:56 westbaystars: ===
19:56 westbaystars: ---
19:56 westbaystars: Top of 6th
19:56 westbaystars: ---
19:56 westbaystars: Kawakami has struck out 7 so far. Darvish 9.
19:57 westbaystars: Kawakami has walked 2 so far (both scored), Darvish 1.
19:57 westbaystars: Kawakami has given up just 1 hit so far (the 3-run home run), Darvish 2.
19:57 westbaystars: The Dragons will be sending up the top of their order in Araki, Ibata, and Morino.
19:59 westbaystars: After taking ball one, Araki attempts a safety bunt, fouling the ball off of Tsuruoka's right thigh.
20:00 westbaystars: The 1-1 offering is grounded up the middle.
20:00 westbaystars: Darvish sticks out his glove, but misses.
20:00 westbaystars: The ball goes over the second base bag and into center field.
20:00 westbaystars: That's Chunichi hit #3.
20:00 westbaystars: 1 in the 2nd, 1 in the 4th, 1 in the 6th. Every other inning.
20:00 westbaystars: Ibata stands in with the Central League Stolen Base King on first.
20:01 westbaystars: Darvish misses with the first three pitches.
20:02 westbaystars: Fourth offering called strike one on the outside corner.
20:02 zman: Ochiai is not Bobby V, I think down three he does not want to run himself out of the inning
20:02 westbaystars: With the runner on the move, the ball is grounded deep to short.
20:02 westbaystars: Kaneko throws to first - too late!
20:02 westbaystars: And Araki takes off for third!
20:03 westbaystars: He's in there safe!
20:03 westbaystars: An infield hit putting runners at the corners.
20:03 zman: Wow!
20:03 zman: Hit and run on 1-3 pitch
20:03 westbaystars: I fear that Ochiai-kantoku didn't listen to you.
20:04 miesque: I will wait Woods time!
20:04 westbaystars: Morimoto goes back.
20:04 westbaystars: And makes the catch at the center field wall.
20:04 zman: It was a hit and run, little bit different but point taken
20:04 westbaystars: Araki touches up and puts the Dragons on the baord.
20:04 westbaystars: That was 85 pitches for Darvish so far.
20:05 westbaystars: Woods coming up with a runner at first and one out.
20:05 westbaystars: But even with the hit and run, Araki paused at second to make sure the throw was going to first.
20:05 zman: Equalizer time
20:05 westbaystars: Woods grounds the ball to the left side.
20:06 westbaystars: Koyano throws to second for one, the relay to first is in time. Double play.
20:06 westbaystars: But not before a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly put a mark on the board for the Dragons.
20:06 miesque: Woods killed chance.
20:07 westbaystars: After 5 and a half, the score is now Dragons 1 - 3 Fighters.
20:07 westbaystars: ---
20:07 westbaystars: Bottom of 6th
20:07 westbaystars: ---
20:08 westbaystars: Woods makes up for the numerous chances he kills by coming through as often.
20:08 westbaystars: I wouldn't worry too much about it.
20:08 zman: The good running by Araki helped reel in the Hammies a bit
20:08 westbaystars: Morimoto leads off the Fighters' half of the sixth.
20:09 westbaystars: Two quick strikes on Morimoto.
20:09 westbaystars: The third offering breaks the handle of Morimoto's bat as it's blooped to the left side.
20:10 westbaystars: Nori duck out of the way for Ibata calling for the ball behind him.
20:10 westbaystars: Ibata takes the ball in for out number one.
20:10 westbaystars: That brings up Tanaka.
20:11 westbaystars: Takaka hits a safety bunt up the first base side.
20:11 westbaystars: Araki rushes in, scoops the ball in his glove to Woods all in one motion while diving.
20:11 torakichi: Ooh, bunt! Nifty fielding by Araki to get the out.
20:11 westbaystars: And gets the speedy Tanaka for out number two.
20:11 westbaystars: Another Wow! play by Araki.
20:12 westbaystars: Look for that one one YouTube this evening.
20:12 zman: Theres you POD, other than the HR.
20:12 westbaystars: Inaba grounds out to Nori at third, and the Fighters are out in order yet again.
20:12 westbaystars: That's 17 batters in a row retired after Seggy's 3-run blast.
20:13 zman: Impressive outing
20:13 westbaystars: ---
20:13 westbaystars: Top of 7th
20:13 westbaystars: ---
20:14 torakichi: Quite the crowd tonight.
20:14 westbaystars: Full house again.
20:15 westbaystars: Tatsunami leads off the 7th inning for the Fighters.
20:15 westbaystars: Darvish's 90th pitch of the night is fouled back off of Tsuruoka's mask.
20:15 torakichi: Sorry, I meant for this chat. Full house at the Japan Series... tozen!
20:15 westbaystars: Count comes to 2 strikes and a ball.
20:16 westbaystars: And Tatsunami goes down looking at strike three called on the 2-2 pitch.
20:16 westbaystars: The ball just catching the outside corner (a pitch the umpire hadn't called too often tonight).
20:16 westbaystars: Darvish goes double didgits with the strike outs tonight. That being number 10.
20:17 westbaystars: Kanamura follows.
20:17 torakichi: Darvish looked pleased with that decision.
20:17 zman: 21 years old and on the top of NPB
20:17 westbaystars: Nakamura killed the Dragons' rally in the fourth, grounding out to second with runners at first and second.
20:17 torakichi: Whiff!
20:18 westbaystars: And he goes down swinging here. Strike out #11.
20:18 zman: And soon to be a Dad as well
20:18 jonas1102: Royals fan here, is there somewhere i can watch the game
20:18 westbaystars: It's hard to say who is more impressive tonight. Darvish's strike outs or Kawakami's 17 straight outs.
20:18 jonas1102: i'd love to see darvish pitch
20:18 westbaystars: Lee comes up next.
20:19 westbaystars: Lee breaks his bat grounding the ball to the right side.
20:19 westbaystars: Tanaka fields the ball in the hole on the right side.
20:20 westbaystars: Throws to first in time, and the Dragons are retired in order yet again.
20:20 torakichi: Japanese TV coverage? Streaming? On the net? That'll be the day...
20:20 westbaystars: Darvish gives up hits in the even innings. 3-up, 3-down in the odd innings.
20:21 westbaystars: At the end of 6 and a half, the score remains Dragons 1 - 3 Fighters.
20:21 westbaystars: ---
20:21 westbaystars: Bottom of 7th
20:21 westbaystars: ---
20:21 Dave R: NPB markets the game poorly in Japan ... forget overseas
20:22 westbaystars: Seguignol leads off the Fighters' 7th.
20:22 westbaystars: He's swinging at the first pitch up high for strike one.
20:23 westbaystars: It was Seggy's 3-run home run in the first that accounts for the Fighters' only hit of the night.
20:23 zman: Some teams stream their games, I think Softbank does and Rakuten.
20:24 westbaystars: Seggy this time, though, grounds out to second for out number one.
20:24 westbaystars: That brings up Kudoh.
20:25 westbaystars: Kawakami jumps out in front quickly with a pair of strikes.
20:25 westbaystars: Third offering is a check swing foul ball.
20:25 westbaystars: Kawakami just keeps getting better as the game goes on.
20:26 westbaystars: Fourth pitch is a waste pitch outside.
20:26 westbaystars: Kudoh lifts the fifth offering high to the left side.
20:27 westbaystars: Nori camps under the ball. And when it finally comes down, makes the catch for out number two.
20:27 westbaystars: That's 19 batters in a row retired.
20:27 westbaystars: Koyano follows.
20:27 westbaystars: He lifts the ball deep to right field.
20:27 westbaystars: But Lee has it lined up and makes the catch in front of the warning track, near the line.
20:28 westbaystars: 20 batters in a row retired by Kawakami.
20:28 westbaystars: yet, at the end of 7 complete, Kawakami's Dragons trail by a score of 3-1.
20:28 westbaystars: ---
20:28 westbaystars: Top of 8th
20:28 westbaystars: ---
20:28 jonas1102: that is what i figured... i guess i'll look for youtube highlights
20:29 westbaystars: Every year at this time people want to know how to watch the Nippon Series outside of Japan.
20:29 zman: Should be plenty on Darvish
20:30 westbaystars: And for the past 12 years that I've been writing about Pro Yakyu on the Internet, I haven't had a solution for them.
20:30 westbaystars: I'm a failure.
20:30 westbaystars: Tanishige leads off the 8th for the Dragons.
20:30 jonas1102: i dont see why espn couldn't cover it, they do women's world cup soccer
20:30 westbaystars: And ESPN has a tie up with J-Sports in Japan.
20:31 shin: maybe because soccer is more famous worldwide...
20:31 zman: Westbay-san, there is always PtoP but I know you would do that.
20:31 zman: sorry, would not do that
20:32 westbaystars: Darvish's 105th pitch misses up high for ball four.
20:32 torakichi: Yeah, but you'd think others would.
20:32 westbaystars: The leadoff batter is on for the Dragons - Darvish's second walk of the game.
20:32 zman: Its probably on somewhere for J folks living outside of Japan
20:32 westbaystars: Hmm. I'm starting to consider doing it since the powers-that-be aren't.
20:32 westbaystars: It's a real delima.
20:33 westbaystars: I'd like to one day get some sort of official status with NPB.
20:33 zman: So Westbay, according to your theory this is it for the Dragons
20:33 westbaystars: Providing English langauge broadcasts, which they don't do at all is one thing.
20:33 zman: an even inning for Darvish
20:34 westbaystars: But streaming something directly is another.
20:34 westbaystars: Donoue pinch hits, grounding the ball off of Darish's leg.
20:34 zman: Great idea, like NHK does for Sumo.
20:34 westbaystars: Koyano fields the ball, throws to first in time.
20:34 westbaystars: But everyone is concerned about Darvish.
20:36 westbaystars: Right. Even innings are the Dragons' only chance.
20:36 westbaystars: But then again, Darvish has surpassed 100 pitches.
20:36 westbaystars: And Micheal [sic] has been very shaky of late.
20:36 westbaystars: He even beaned Kaneko in an inter-squad game the past week.
20:37 zman: Mr sky high ERA?
20:37 westbaystars: Top of the order in Araki comes up. Runner at second, one out.
20:37 westbaystars: Just in the Climax Series. Post season jinx?
20:37 westbaystars: The TV announcers keep talkinga bout how Darvish knows that Micheal is struggling, so he wants to go all the way.
20:38 westbaystars: Araki hits the ball off home plate, imediately fielding by Tsuruoka.
20:38 Deanna: just got home. dammit I missed all the fun
20:38 westbaystars: The umpire calls the ball fair, and Araki is thrown out at first.
20:38 westbaystars: Tanishige holds at second.
20:38 Deanna: apparently just in time for the Ibata fanfare
20:38 westbaystars: No, the fun's just about to start.
20:39 westbaystars: Yes, that brings up Ibata.
20:39 Deanna: I did watch the somewhat dull 7th inning on my cellphone TV on the train, at least
20:39 torakichi: Big swing!
20:39 westbaystars: Chunichi still hasn't gotten a hit this even inning.
20:39 Deanna: any idea if TV Asahi is really going to cut off the game at 8:54pm?
20:40 zman: ??
20:40 westbaystars: I hope not.
20:40 westbaystars: Ibata grounds the ball to Kaneko at short.
20:40 westbaystars: He throws to first in time for the final out.
20:40 westbaystars: And Darvish breaks the pattern.
20:40 westbaystars: Chunichi is down to their last three outs trailing 1-3.
20:41 westbaystars: ---
20:41 westbaystars: Bottom of 8th
20:41 westbaystars: ---
20:41 Deanna: wow, that's bizarre. I didn't realize Tsuruoka was catching, crazy
20:41 westbaystars: === Quick recap:
20:41 miesque: Nippon series always extend on TV.
20:41 westbaystars: === Bottom of 1st: Walk, Sac, Walk, 3-run home run
20:41 westbaystars: === Kawakami hasn't allowed a runner since.
20:42 westbaystars: === Top of 6th: Hit, Infield Hit and run putting runners at corners.
20:42 westbaystars: === Sac fly
20:42 Deanna: playoffs didn't extend on TV. i was watching a Tigers-Dragons game and BOOM, it just stopped
20:42 Deanna: same for the Fighters playoff. So I hope it's different now
20:43 zman: No errors in the game so far
20:44 westbaystars: Inata grounds out to Ibata on the first pitch. One out.
20:44 westbaystars: 21 batters in a row.
20:44 westbaystars: Kenoko follows.
20:44 zman: 18 Ks in total so far for both pitchers
20:44 Deanna: Inada. Kaneko. [throws bananas at Westbay]
20:45 Deanna: yeah, I just realized the Fighters have only gotten one hit
20:45 westbaystars: 7 for Kawakami, 11 for Darvish.
20:45 Deanna: but dang, was that one big hit
20:45 Deanna: Kaneko singles to center! up go the Shinsengumi flags
20:45 westbaystars: Kaneko grounds the ball to center field. Base hit!
20:45 Deanna: so, TWO hits for the Fighters
20:45 westbaystars: That's the Fighters' second hit of the game.
20:45 westbaystars: The first base runner since Seguignol's 3-run home run in the first.
20:46 westbaystars: That brings up Tsuruoka, showing bunt all the way.
20:46 timmcl: Thanks for the recap, 430 am start here just a bit early
20:46 westbaystars: I remember Tsuruoka being a rather poor bunter. Is that right?
20:47 Deanna: Tsuruoka's been a poor hitter this year in general, but yeah
20:47 Deanna: HOLY
20:47 westbaystars: Hirata came in defensively for the Dragons after Donoue's pinch hit in the top of the eighth.
20:47 Firearm: I'm here
20:47 westbaystars: The ball is bunted.
20:47 Deanna: safe at first AND second!
20:47 westbaystars: The throw to second - safe!
20:47 westbaystars: The relay to first - safe!
20:47 westbaystars: Everybody is safe!
20:47 Firearm: as you guys might know, I'm back in America
20:47 Deanna: Wow, that was one close play at first though
20:48 westbaystars: That was Kawakami's 100th pitchh of the game.
20:48 BeethovenV: Hi all! What's the Score?
20:48 westbaystars: Mori-pitching coach goes out to have a word.
20:48 westbaystars: Dragons 1 - 3 Fighters.
20:48 Deanna: 3-1, bottom of the 8th inning, runners at first and second, one out
20:49 westbaystars: Kawakami put down 21 batters in a row - but after a 3-run home run in the first.
20:49 Deanna: and Hichori at bat and chance music up
20:49 BeethovenV: Thanx!!!
20:49 westbaystars: This is the first time the Fighters have had anyone on base since the first.
20:49 westbaystars: Morimoto up to bat.
20:49 Deanna: Well, I guess you're right, I got home at the right time
20:49 BeethovenV: Wow!
20:50 westbaystars: Darvish has struck out 11 so far, Kawakami 7.
20:50 Deanna: ike ike hichori! ute ute hichori! ike ike sore yuke kattobase hichori!
20:50 westbaystars: Morimoto lifts the ball back behind home plate.
20:51 Deanna: oops
20:51 westbaystars: Tanishige goes back, and makes the catch for out number two.
20:51 westbaystars: Runners at first and second, two down.
20:51 zman: Is the bullpen working Westbay?
20:51 westbaystars: Darvish has come out to start warmin gup outside the third base dugout.
20:51 Deanna: Darvish is still tossing out there in front of the dugout
20:51 westbaystars: Looks like he's going all the way.
20:51 Deanna: kensuke!
20:52 westbaystars: Kensuke Tanaka at the plate.
20:52 westbaystars: The second offering goes through Tanishige's legs, but Tanishige gets to it before anyone can move.
20:53 westbaystars: 1 and 1 the count.
20:53 westbaystars: Third offering catches the outside corner, strike two.
20:53 westbaystars: And the fourth pitch is a broken bat comebacker.
20:53 Deanna: whoops. Kensuke's bat goes flying along with the ball, Kawakami fielding the weak grounder easily
20:54 westbaystars: It looks like the bat might have hit Kawakami as he fielded the ball.
20:54 Deanna: You know, Chunichi's really screwed if anything happens to Tanishige
20:54 westbaystars: Still, he got the ball, and threw to first in time for the final out of the inning.
20:54 westbaystars: Going to the Dragons' last chance, they trail by 2; 1-3.
20:54 westbaystars: ---
20:54 westbaystars: Top of 9th
20:54 westbaystars: ---
20:55 jonas1102: Darvish will strike out the side
20:55 Dave R: Was Tsuroka's bunt scored as a base hit? Yahoo Japan scoreboard still shows 2 hits for the Fighters.
20:56 Deanna: due up: Dragonbutt, Woods, Tatsunami?
20:56 Deanna: I don't think Tsuruoka's bunt was a hit, it was a sacrifice and a failed fielder's choice I think
20:56 westbaystars: Tsuruoka's bunt was scored a sacrifice-fielder's choice.
20:57 Deanna: with normal fielding, it advances Kaneko to second and Tsuruoka's out at first
20:57 Firearm: yep, here it comes, last shot
20:57 Deanna: Morino grounds out to second. One out
20:57 westbaystars: Darvish gets Morino to ground out to the right side.
20:57 westbaystars: One away.
20:57 Firearm: Deanna, yet I think the Dragons need to think of grooming his heir
20:57 westbaystars: That brings up Woods.
20:58 westbaystars: First pitch up high is swung on and missed. Strike one.
20:58 torakichi: Big swing!
20:58 Beethoven: Go Yu!!!
20:58 westbaystars: Second offering misses high and inside. 1 and 1.
20:58 westbaystars: The third offering is swung on and missed. Strike two.
20:58 westbaystars: Woods going after the same high and in pitch.
20:59 torakichi: Whoa! Woods is really going after it.
20:59 Deanna: karaburi sanshin!
20:59 Deanna: Ato hitori!
20:59 westbaystars: The fourth offering is swung on and missed - strike three!
20:59 westbaystars: Strike out victim #12.
20:59 westbaystars: 後一人。One more out.
20:59 westbaystars: Tatsunami stands in.
20:59 Firearm: Woods hasn't done anything against the Fighters, I don't think
20:59 westbaystars: He accounds for 3 of those 12 strike outs.
20:59 zman: Bad at bat for Woods, he needed to get on base.
21:00 Firearm: not last year, not this year's interleague (I went to Darvish/Kawakami in the regular season, BTW), not here yet
21:00 westbaystars: The 1-1 offering misses down low. 1 strike, 2 balls.
21:00 westbaystars: Fourth offering misses low and inside.
21:00 Deanna: and so does the next pitch. 3-1 or 1-3 depending on where you are
21:01 westbaystars: Fifth offering misses low and in, ball four.
21:01 westbaystars: That brings the tying run to the plate in the person of Nakamura.
21:01 Deanna: wow
21:01 shin: we're still alive!
21:01 westbaystars: First pitch misses low and away, ball one.
21:02 Firearm: Nori with a chance to tie the game!
21:02 westbaystars: Nakamura has a hit, ground out, and struck out.
21:02 zman: Woods would have better to try to get the walk as well. He must be pissed by the Ks.
21:02 westbaystars: Second offering bounces behind the plate. Ball two.
21:02 westbaystars: Hillman-kantoku heads out to the mound himself.
21:02 Deanna: conference at the mound
21:03 westbaystars: He says a short word and returns.
21:03 westbaystars: Darvish has thrown 130 pitches so far.
21:03 zman: Hillman should pull him . . . if theres someone warmed up.
21:03 jonas1102: does hillman speak japanese?
21:03 Deanna: whew, a strike
21:03 torakichi: He can say "shinjirarenaaaai"
21:03 westbaystars: The third offering to Nakamura is over the outside part of the plate, called strike one.
21:03 Deanna: Hillman speaks Japanexanese
21:04 Deanna: he can say "hokkaido no minnasan wa sekai ichiban! machigainai!" and stuff like that
21:04 westbaystars: Fourth offering is grounded foul to the third base side.
21:04 westbaystars: 2 and 2.
21:04 Deanna: YES!
21:04 Deanna: karaburi sanSHIN!
21:04 westbaystars: Strike three.
21:05 westbaystars: 13 strike outs in a game is a new Nippon Series record.
21:05 Deanna: 13 strikeouts was that?
21:05 Firearm: Nori's been decent
21:05 Firearm: er...
21:05 westbaystars: And the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters take Game 1 by a score of 3-1.
21:05 Firearm: ....trying to fill Kosuke's role
21:05 Deanna: whoa. I just read the entire Shube section on Series records last night
21:05 zman: Wow!
21:05 Beethoven3: Wow! That's an exciting finish!
21:05 westbaystars: Yes, 11 going into the 9th, Woods + Nori.
21:06 Deanna: it looked like 13 was the record. I think he just tied it
21:06 westbaystars: I didn't rely on my memory for the record. The TV announcers said it.
21:06 torakichi: Well done to both pitchers. A real duel.
21:06 timmcl: How many total hits allowed by Darvish?
21:07 zman: Great match to start the J series.
21:07 Firearm: yeah, Kenshin lost only making one mistake
21:07 miesque: Hero interview is Darvish.
21:07 Beethoven3: Michael-san, you made me feel like I was at the stadium! Thanks!
21:07 westbaystars: Pull out Shube. Page 36. You're right. He tied it.
21:07 zman: Four
21:07 jonas1102: thank you for the gamelog, work on getting it streamed for next season
21:07 Firearm: 6 combined hits by both teams
21:07 westbaystars: We have the Kantoku Interview first.
21:08 timmcl: Tks
21:08 westbaystars: Hillman-kantoku says that Darvish was just outstanding.
21:08 shin: Thanks!
21:08 westbaystars: Got into a couple of problems, but pitched out of them.
21:08 shin: Too bad the Dragons lost, though =(
21:08 Dave R: Yes, thanks for the game call!
21:08 torakichi: Thanks Westbaystars-san.
21:08 Deanna: yup. page 36 is what I am looking at right now
21:08 westbaystars: Seggy's home run was a huge home run.
21:08 westbaystars: It's been a pleasure all.
21:09 Deanna: looks like Kudoh in 1999 and someone else who got 13 in 13 innings
21:09 Firearm: well shin, they were up against Darvish
21:09 westbaystars: Hillman-kantoku recognizes the importance of that home run as Kawakami set down 21 straight batters.
21:09 westbaystars: And the TV is gone!
21:09 Firearm: the game I went to, Darvish made many mistakes in the 1st and the Dragons were able to hang on
21:09 Beethoven3: Is it possible to get a complete copy of the transcript? I came in late.
21:09 zman: Great pitching stops the Dragons momentum after five victories
21:09 Firearm: no such mistakes this time
21:09 westbaystars: The June 16 game I mentioned?
21:10 westbaystars: Where Darvish went the complete game for the loss?
21:10 Firearm: yep Westbay, I was there!
21:11 zman: dragons BA for game was .138
21:12 zman: Hamsters, .080
21:12 jonas1102: go fighters... oyasuminasai
21:12 westbaystars: Kudoh's was in extra innings. He only had 10 after 9 innings.
21:13 Deanna: ahhh. Yoshiro Sotokoba
21:13 Deanna: that's the other one, Hiroshima 1975. Sawamura award winner and all
21:14 westbaystars: Yes. I just found him - Sotokoba.
21:15 Deanna: no, dude, I think Sotokoba's was in extra innings, not Kudoh's
21:15 westbaystars: Had a 15 year career with the Carp. Went to just 1 Nippon Series in 1975.
21:15 Deanna: ironically, Kudoh's was against... Chunichi
21:15 westbaystars: Where he only played 2 games.
21:15 Deanna: Kudoh only pitched in one game of the 1999 Japan Series, game 1. Struck out 13. Daiei won 3-0
21:16 westbaystars: I think you're right.
21:16 Deanna: So now Darvish has done the same thing Kudoh did (well, winning 3-1 instead of 3-0)
21:16 westbaystars: It was Sotokoba who threw extra innings.
21:17 westbaystars: I still think that Kawakami's 21 batters in a row was more impressive.
21:17 westbaystars: But Darvish will get all the press.
21:18 sportkrank: What was the final?
21:18 Deanna: Nah, I don't think Kenshin's accomplishment is as incredible -- because the Fighters bats suck
21:18 westbaystars: 3-1 Fighters.
21:18 westbaystars: Lol.
21:19 westbaystars: I suppose that's one way to take away from that accomplishment.
21:19 Deanna: Darvish struck out EVERY Chunichi batter at least once, except the pinch-hitting Donoue brother
21:19 Deanna: And Chunichi guys, for the most part, actually know how to hit a baseball with a bat
21:20 Deanna: (I really overdosed last night on Japan Series data)
21:21 Beethoven3: Deanna-san, I really enjoy your box scores! :]]
21:21 Deanna: thanks! So do I!
21:22 Beethoven3: So, how many close moments did Darvish have?
21:23 westbaystars: The 4th innings was the Dragons' biggest chance.
21:23 westbaystars: They had runners at first and second with one out.
21:24 westbaystars: Tatsunami struck out, the Nori grounded out to second.
21:24 westbaystars: Their one run came in the 6th.
21:24 Beethoven3: That's close!
21:24 westbaystars: Araki led off with a base hit to center.
21:24 Firearm: Tatsunami hasn't been very effective as a DH
21:24 Deanna: OH, I get why Tatsunami was batting 5th -- the L-R-L-R. But I think I would have moved him down
21:24 westbaystars: Then with Araki on the run, Ibata grounded the ball to the left side.
21:25 westbaystars: Kaneko threw to first - not in time.
21:25 westbaystars: Araki broke for third on the throw, and made it.
21:25 westbaystars: He was then sacrifice home.
21:25 westbaystars: Woods then killed it all with a double play ball to third.
21:26 Firearm: the media will jump all over Tyrone
21:26 westbaystars: Tatsunami is one of those veteran players that are well loved by the fans.
21:27 Firearm: and he's still a danged good hitter
21:27 Deanna: Tatsunami is also the current career hits leader in Japan, isn't he?
21:27 westbaystars: As I mentioned earlier, there were a *lot* of Tatsunami jerseys outside of Tokyo Dome for CLCS Game 3.
21:28 Deanna: Well, after 22 years or whatever, an awful lot of people would have Tatsunami jerseys
21:28 Firearm: man, I wish they still sold old-school Tatsunami jerseys (the Dodger ripoff jerseys)
21:29 Firearm: I do have a Tatsunami practice jersey, though
21:29 westbaystars: Yes, Tatsunami leads Yokohama's Ishii by a good margin.
21:30 Deanna: wow, looking at the 1988 Seibu-Chunichi Japan Series is great. I think there are 3 guys still active from then
21:31 Deanna: Tatsunami, Kudoh, and Kiyohara (if he counts). Well, and Ochiai of course
21:31 westbaystars: What about Masa?
21:32 westbaystars: Didn't he get started about then?
21:32 Deanna: OH. Yeah, Masa
21:32 Firearm: pffft :P
21:32 Firearm: yeah, the Dragons took the automatic loss all season
21:33 Firearm: IMO Masa hasn't recovered (and probably won't) from losing in Game 2 last year
21:34 Deanna: he's really never going to get to 200 wins. poor guy.
21:35 westbaystars: He only has 7 to go. Only managed 2 wins to 10 losses this year.
21:35 westbaystars: Bummer.
21:36 westbaystars: To get so close.
21:36 Deanna: what's still crazy is how it was only a year ago or so that he was doing things like pitching a no-hitter
21:36 Deanna: remember? he was *untouchable* in the Dragons pennant run last September
21:38 westbaystars: Masa seems to be one of those pitchers who gets hot and cold on alternate seasons.
21:38 Deanna: Maybe... but I'm not sure how many seasons he has left
21:38 westbaystars: Like he's over worked one year, gets enough rest the next.
21:38 Beethoven3: Was Kawakami in for the whole 9 innings today?
21:39 westbaystars: Yep.
21:39 westbaystars: Both pitchers went the distance.
21:40 Deanna: You know... the Dragons won game 1 of the Series last year, Kawakami vs. Darvish, at home... and then lost the next 4
21:40 Beethoven3: Isn't his 21 strikeouts in a row a record?
21:40 Deanna: So maybe the Fighters winning Game 1, Kawakami vs. Darvish, at home... wasn't such a great omen
21:40 westbaystars: It wasn't strike outs. It was consecutive outs.
21:40 Deanna: It wasn't 21 strikeouts in a row, it was 21 retired batters in a row
21:40 Beethoven3: Ahh! I understand. Pretty impressive, though.
21:41 westbaystars: Seeing flash of Kawakami winning Game 1 at home last year?
21:41 Beethoven3: No. Do you have that?
21:41 westbaystars: Consecutive outs isn't one of the records in Shube (Shukan Baseball), unfortunately.
21:42 Beethoven3: That's too bad!
21:42 Deanna: yeah, doesn't appear to be
21:43 Beethoven3: So, pardon my asking, has Darvish tied or beaten a record today?
21:43 westbaystars: Shube - no. 2007 Record Book - no. Checking Encyclopedia.
21:43 Deanna: what's the one for Kudoh in 1994? something about 3-pitch strikeouts?
21:44 Deanna: it looks like it says he literally threw 9 pitches in the 3rd inning of the 2nd game and struck out three guys in a row
21:45 Deanna: and Darvish tied the record for strikeouts in a single 9-inning Japan Series game
21:47 westbaystars: Well, I'm sure Nikkan Sports will have it in the morning.
21:47 Beethoven4: sorry all this leaving...browser or firewall problems
21:48 Beethoven4: how many strikeouts did Darvish have today? 13?
21:48 westbaystars: Cookies are being accepted?
21:48 westbaystars: And JavaScript is on?
21:49 Beethoven4: Javascript must be on
21:49 westbaystars: Yes 13. That's the record he tied with Kudoh and Sotokoba.
21:50 Deanna: oh crap, I just realized my stomach is growling because I haven't eaten since noon -- I better go find something to eat
21:50 Deanna: bye guys! maybe see you here tomorrow. whatsit, Nakata vs. Masaru?
21:51 westbaystars: See you tomorrow at the end of the game.
21:52 Beethoven4: Bye Deanna! :]
21:52 Deanna: no, I don't have work tomorrow -- but I'm hoping to go watch it somwhere besides home
21:52 Beethoven4: How does the pitching matchup for tomorrow's game look? anyone?
21:52 timmcl: Thanks for the game call and interesting discussion, breakfast time and work calls
21:53 westbaystars: I was hoping that they'd show the matchup at the end of the game.
21:53 westbaystars: But the TV left too soon.
21:53 westbaystars: I need some chocolate.
21:53 Beethoven4: It's Nakata against Glynn, I believe
21:54 westbaystars: I think the rain has paused. Just long enough to go to the conbini.
21:54 Beethoven4: Well thanks a million for doing this!!! :]]]
21:54 Deanna: Yeah, the rain seems to be letting up here in Dasaitama too
21:55 westbaystars: My pleasure.
21:55 westbaystars: Take care all.
21:55 Deanna: and yes, thanks for the chatroom so I had somewhere to ramble when I got home !
21:55 Beethoven4: Bye Michael-san, everyone else. :]]
Re: 2007 Nippon Series: Game 1
[ Author: Guest | Posted: Oct 28, 2007 5:02 AM
]
Where can I participate in these chats?
About
This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
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Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Some rights reserved.
I tend to focus on calling the play by play, but will respond to questions or comments during the game. I also respect that some people "tune in" to just "listen," so I refrain from greeting people until they've raised a voice.
In the mean time, let's take a quick look at the 2006 Nippon Series results:Darvish and Kawakami are scheduled to face off against each other for the first game again this evening.
Bonus: During inter-league play, the two also squared off on June 16 with Kawakami getting the win in 6.1 innings, Darvish getting the loss throwing a complete game.