2004 Nippon Series: Game 1
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2004 Nippon Series: Game 1
I'll be up again with the first game of the 2004 Nippon Series live here at or about 6:20 pm JST. The Chunichi Dragons are hosting the Seibu Lions at Nagoya Dome.
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Re: 2004 Nippon Series: Game 1
[ Author: westbaystars | Posted: Oct 16, 2004 10:40 PM
| YBS Fan
]
Seibu takes Game 1 by a score of 2-0. Both Kawakami and Ishii threw great games. It was fast paced with the exception of a 49 minute delay over a call in the bottom of the fifth inning. For the full details, scroll down to the first "Top of Sixth" heading. For a quick recap of the arguement, check the end of the transcript.
Question, do you like me telling you the score at the beginning here, or prefer to work through the transcript for it (not liking the spoiler)? I'll post transcript recaps according to feedback.
So, without further ado, the game transcript:
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2004/10/16 22:27
CHATROOM 2004 Nippon Series/Game 1
MODERATORS westbaystars
18:07 westbaystars: Yokohama lost to Yakult earlier today to finish out the season.
18:09 westbaystars: With the loss, Yokohama dropped back into last place for the third straight year.
18:09 westbaystars: Bummer.
18:10 westbaystars: I hope that Ushijima can turn our fortunes around next season.
18:11 westbaystars: Not that I disliked Yamashita-kantoku. He was a nice guy. Just, not motivating enough.
18:17 westbaystars: ---
18:17 westbaystars: --- Top of First
18:17 westbaystars: ---
18:18 westbaystars: On the mound for Chunichi this first game is Dragon ace Kawakami Kenshin.
18:20 westbaystars: The first Lion he'll be facing is right fielder Satoh.
18:20 westbaystars: The first pitch is grounded back up the middle, bouncing over Kawakami's head.
18:21 westbaystars: Ibata dashes over, and just behind the second base bag makes the grab, throws to first, and we have one out on one pitch
18:21 westbaystars: Next up is Akada.
18:22 westbaystars: Adaka takes two strikes to fall in a hole.
18:22 westbaystars: The third pitch from Kawakami is called strike three!
18:22 westbaystars: Nice pitch on the outside part of the plate.
18:22 westbaystars: San kyu sanshin.
18:23 westbaystars: Kawakami won 17 games this season, most in the Central League.
18:23 westbaystars: Fernandez follows with nobody on.
18:23 westbaystars: He lines Kawakami's second offering through the left side of the infield and into left. Two out base hit.
18:24 westbaystars: That'll bring up Cabrera.
18:24 westbaystars: One thing that Nikkan Sports commented on in today's paper is that at Nagoya Dome they use a less lively ball than ...
18:24 westbaystars: ... at most other stadiua.
18:25 westbaystars: That may have an effect on Fernandez and Cabrera.
18:25 westbaystars: With two strikes, Cabrera took a pitch just inside that looked awfully good.
18:26 westbaystars: Good evening, Prince.
18:26 westbaystars: Cabu takes ball two way outside, two and two.
18:27 westbaystars: The next pitch is lifted high and straight up.
18:27 westbaystars: Tanishige throws off his mask, wonders around a bit up the first base side, and makes the catch a little ...
18:27 westbaystars: ... in foul territory.
18:27 westbaystars: The Lions got a two out base hit, but nothing more.
18:28 westbaystars: At the end of half an inning, the Lions are scoreless and Dragons are coming up to bat.
18:28 westbaystars: ---
18:28 westbaystars: --- Bottom of First
18:28 westbaystars: ---
18:29 westbaystars: Starting for Seibu is Ishii Takashi.
18:29 westbaystars: His first pitch is fouled off to the right side by Araki.
18:30 westbaystars: After getting strike two on a foul ball, Ishii gets the ball and jumps up and down a few times on his way back to the mo
18:30 westbaystars: ... mound.
18:30 westbaystars: Araki managed to hold up on the third pitch out and away, but not the fourth.
18:31 westbaystars: He goes down swinging for the first out.
18:31 westbaystars: That brings up Ibata.
18:32 westbaystars: Ibata grounds a two strike, one ball pitch to the right side.
18:32 westbaystars: Takagi fields the ball, throws to first, and we have two outs.
18:33 westbaystars: Next up is Tatsunami.
18:33 westbaystars: Ishii gets ahead of Tatsunami quickly with two strikes.
18:35 westbaystars: Tatsunami takes a ball, then fouls off a pair.
18:35 westbaystars: The next pitch is taken low and in, two and two.
18:35 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is up high, full count.
18:37 westbaystars: After fouling another two pitches off, Tatsunami swings and misses a pitch low and in.
18:37 westbaystars: Strike three.
18:37 westbaystars: The Dragons are retired in order.
18:37 westbaystars: At the end of one complete, there is no score.
18:37 westbaystars: ---
18:37 westbaystars: --- Top of Second
18:37 westbaystars: ---
18:39 westbaystars: Number five batter Wada leads off the second taking strike one.
18:40 westbaystars: After taking ball one, Wada lines the ball to right.
18:40 westbaystars: Going, going, it's off the fense, about 2/3rds of the way up.
18:40 westbaystars: The ball bouncing back gets past Watanabe and goes into never-never land!
18:41 westbaystars: Wada kicks second, heads for third.
18:41 westbaystars: And he's in there well ahead of the throw that's to the third base coach's box.
18:41 westbaystars: Lead off triple!
18:41 PrinceAeneas: go go!!!
18:41 westbaystars: Next up is Nakajima.
18:42 westbaystars: Nakajima grounds the ball to short.
18:42 westbaystars: Ibata lookis Wada back to third (he'd have had a play there if Tatsunami had thought to cover it.)
18:43 westbaystars: The throw to first is in time for out number one.
18:43 westbaystars: Next up is Noda, catching this evening.
18:44 westbaystars: Noda grounds the ball to the right side.
18:45 westbaystars: With the infield in, Wada is held by Araki, who throws to first, and we have two outs.
18:45 westbaystars: Takagi is the Lions' last chance to make this lead off triple count.
18:45 westbaystars: Well, maybe not.
18:46 westbaystars: They're walking him intensionally to face pitcher Ishii.
18:46 Martin: They can still walk him and get the pitcher.
18:46 westbaystars: Tanishige takes four outside and Ishii Takashi comes up for his first at bat in a looooong time.
18:47 Martin: I was just thinking it, hahaha.
18:47 westbaystars: Runners at first and third, two outs.
18:47 westbaystars: He takes strike one on the outside part of the plate.
18:47 westbaystars: The next pitch is swung on and missed, strike two.
18:47 westbaystars: It was a good cut.
18:47 westbaystars: The third pitch is out and away, ball one.
18:47 Martin: C'mon Ishii.
18:48 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is reached out and fouled off to the right side.
18:48 westbaystars: Kawakami misses low and away with the fifth pitch. Two and two.l
18:49 westbaystars: The next pitch just gets the outside corner and Ishii is called out on strikes.
18:49 westbaystars: Cheap shot!
18:49 Martin: That was a huge change to score the first run.
18:49 PrinceAeneas: **&^(*!!!!
18:49 westbaystars: The Lions had a lead-off triple, but nothing to show for it.
18:49 westbaystars: The game remains scoreless after one and a half.
18:49 westbaystars: ---
18:49 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Second
18:49 westbaystars: ---
18:50 Martin: Is Nagoya dome sold out? How many people?
18:50 westbaystars: Yes, 40500 announced.
18:51 westbaystars: Alex leads off the Dragons' half of the second.
18:51 Martin: It's too bad I cannot watch the game on tv.
18:52 westbaystars: Or 40,500 will be announced. The announcers said that they're sold out, and that's Nagoya Dome's "manin" number.
18:52 westbaystars: Do they have it on "squint vision" tonight?
18:53 westbaystars: Ishii gets ahead with two quick strikes, then delivers ball one out and away.
18:53 westbaystars: Out and low, that is.
18:53 westbaystars: The next pitch misses inside, two and two.
18:53 Martin: I did not find anything, just listening to yahoo radio.
18:53 westbaystars: The next pitch looked better than the one Ishii was called out on, but is called ball three.
18:53 westbaystars: Full count.
18:53 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is grounded up the middle.
18:54 westbaystars: Takagi gets the the ball deep behind second base, turns, fires weakly to first,
18:54 westbaystars: but the ball gets there in time to get Alex.
18:54 westbaystars: One out.
18:54 westbaystars: Next up is Linares.
18:54 westbaystars: He grounds the first pitch to Takagi.
18:54 westbaystars: Takagi doesn't have to make a spectacular play for this one.
18:55 westbaystars: He throws Linares out by a good margin for out number two.
18:55 westbaystars: Watanabe follows.
18:55 PrinceAeneas: Rock!
18:56 westbaystars: Ishii strikes Watanabe out on three pitches, Watanabe watching the last one go by.
18:56 westbaystars: Nice pitching!
18:56 westbaystars: After two complete, the game remains scoreless.
18:56 westbaystars: ---
18:56 westbaystars: --- Top of Third
18:56 westbaystars: ---
18:56 PrinceAeneas: Yesyesyes
18:58 westbaystars: The Lions start with the top of their order in Satoh.
18:58 westbaystars: He takes strike one on the outside part of the plate while showing bunt.
18:58 westbaystars: The second pitch is bunted up the first base side.
18:59 westbaystars: Tanishige scrambles for the ball, fields it, and throws Satoh out.
18:59 westbaystars: The safety bunt fails.
18:59 westbaystars: Next up is Akada.
18:59 westbaystars: Kawakami gets the first pitch over, called strike one.
18:59 westbaystars: The second pitch is close to where the first was, but a little higher, ball one.
19:00 westbaystars: The third pitch is grounded up the middle.
19:00 westbaystars: Araki fields the ball near the second base bag and fires to first.
19:00 westbaystars: Two outs.
19:00 westbaystars: That brings up Fernandez.
19:00 Martin: He had a base hit in the first inning.
19:01 westbaystars: Fernandez got the first hit of the game, a bullet through the left side in the first.
19:01 westbaystars: Kawakami falls behind, one strike, two balls.
19:02 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is way up high, ball three.
19:02 PrinceAeneas: MMMMMMMMMMMMMM
19:02 westbaystars: Pitch number five is fouled away off the right side. Full count.
19:03 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is thrown right down the middle by Kawakami.
19:03 westbaystars: And swung on and missed by Fernandez.
19:03 westbaystars: Right where Fernandez wouldn't expect the ball to be, I assume.
19:03 westbaystars: The Lions are retired in order for the first time this game.
19:03 westbaystars: And the game remains scoreless.
19:03 westbaystars: ---
19:03 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Third
19:03 westbaystars: ---
19:05 westbaystars: Number seven batter Tanishige leads off the Dragons' third.
19:05 westbaystars: Tanishige helped Yokohama defeat the Lions back in 1998.
19:05 westbaystars: But he grounds out to third on the first pitch by Ishii here.
19:05 westbaystars: One quick out.
19:06 westbaystars: That brings up Hidenori.
19:07 westbaystars: Hidenori grounds the ball to Fernandez at third who makes a strange back handed grab, then throws to ...
19:07 westbaystars: ... Cabrera on a short hop!
19:07 westbaystars: Cabu scoops the ball out of the dirt, and we have two outs.
19:07 westbaystars: Nice save by Cabrera.
19:08 westbaystars: Next up is opposing pitcher Kawakami, used to batting during the season.
19:08 westbaystars: After two quick strikes, Kawakami takes ball one high.
19:08 PrinceAeneas: we'll see
19:09 westbaystars: After fouling one off, Kawakami whiffs the fifth pitch and the Dragons are down in order yet again.
19:09 westbaystars: Ishii has handed the Dragons perfectly so far.
19:10 westbaystars: At the end of three complete, the game remains scoreless.
19:10 westbaystars: ---
19:10 westbaystars: --- Top of Fourth
19:10 westbaystars: ---
19:10 Martin: Cabrera will lead off. What does "捕邪" mean?
19:11 Martin: What did Cabu do in his first at bat?
19:11 PrinceAeneas: Good game though, good defense
19:11 westbaystars: Foul out to the catcher.
19:12 Martin: Are you watching the game Prine Aeneas?
19:12 westbaystars: The first character is the "catch" part of catcher.
19:12 westbaystars: The second is foul.
19:12 Martin: Thanks Westbay-san
19:13 westbaystars: My pleasure.
19:13 westbaystars: Cabrera, after getting behind with two quick strikes, evens the count at two, two.
19:13 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is lifted high and deep to left.
19:14 westbaystars: Tatsunami and Watanabe both run out, but it heads into the stands foul.
19:14 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is outside, taken for ball three. Full count.
19:15 westbaystars: The next pitch is swung on and missed, on the outside part of the plate.
19:15 westbaystars: Good pitch, strike three.
19:15 westbaystars: That's the first out of the inning.
19:15 westbaystars: Kawakami's 50th pitch of the game is fouled off by Wada for strike one.
19:16 westbaystars: He hit a triple off the right field wall his first at bat.
19:16 Martin: WADA HR!
19:16 westbaystars: This time he pulls the ball up the left field line and deep.
19:16 westbaystars: It's going, haitaaaaaaa!
19:16 westbaystars: Home run!
19:16 Martin: Yataaaaaaaaaaaa
19:16 westbaystars: That ball just barely made it over the left field wall, which is pretty tall.
19:17 westbaystars: And just inside the foul pole.
19:17 Martin: First a triple and now a HR, that is great!
19:17 westbaystars: But a home run is a home run.
19:17 PrinceAeneas: nice , veryvery nice, I have to say.
19:17 westbaystars: The hard two of a cycle are behind him his first two at bats.
19:17 westbaystars: As the Lions take a 1-0 lead.
19:18 westbaystars: Nakajima follows.
19:18 Martin: I was just typing the same.
19:18 westbaystars: I used to type 60 words a minute back in college. Worked as a legal secretary.
19:18 westbaystars: I'm slower now.
19:19 westbaystars: Full count to Nakajima.
19:19 westbaystars: One out, nobody on.
19:19 Martin: I'm much slower.
19:19 westbaystars: Nakajima grounds the ball through the left side of the infield for a base hit.
19:19 westbaystars: The Lions are trying to make this a big inning.
19:20 PrinceAeneas: Based on who gets the first run, I have to go sleep with my girlfriend now.
19:20 westbaystars: It gets hard to type when things get exciting.
19:20 westbaystars: Noda comes up next.
19:20 Martin: Sleep well.
19:20 Martin: Go Noda!
19:21 westbaystars: Kawakami has slowed down a great deal all of a sudden with the runner on first.
19:22 westbaystars: Noda grounds the ball to the left side.
19:23 westbaystars: Tatsunami fields the ball, throws to second for one.
19:23 westbaystars: The relay to first is high, but Linares gets his foot back down just in time.
19:23 westbaystars: Double play.
19:23 Martin: Oops, that should have been the big inning!
19:24 westbaystars: That retires the Lions in the fourth.
19:24 westbaystars: But not before Wada hits a home run to left to break the scoreless tie.
19:24 westbaystars: The Lions now lead 1-0.
19:24 westbaystars: ---
19:24 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fourth
19:24 westbaystars: ---
19:24 Martin: Just you and me Westbay-san. Where are the other Japanese baseball fans?
19:25 westbaystars: Asleep.
19:25 Martin: Maybe you should make a pop up screen on the home page.
19:25 westbaystars: Many often join between 8:30 and 9:30 JST.
19:25 westbaystars: Araki leads off grounding out to short on the first pitch.
19:25 westbaystars: One out.
19:25 Martin: So that everyone know you are doiing this great thing.
19:26 westbaystars: That brings up Ibata.
19:26 Martin: No hit so far for the Daragons.
19:27 westbaystars: I'd never see the pop-up page. I use Mozilla FireFox with pop-up blocker on by default.
19:27 westbaystars: Looking over the shoulder of IE users I wonder how they get anything done.
19:27 westbaystars: Ishii goes 2-2 to Ibata.
19:28 westbaystars: The next pitch is fouled off the umpire.
19:28 westbaystars: Ishii hit 150 kph with that pitch, his max so far.
19:29 Martin: Injured again? Just like the game Lions-Fighters?
19:29 westbaystars: After fouling another one off, Ibata grounds out to Takagi at second.
19:29 westbaystars: Two outs.
19:30 westbaystars: Tatsunami follows.
19:30 Martin: Tatsunami a bat.
19:30 westbaystars: Who injured?
19:30 westbaystars: Tatsunami grounds the ball deep to short.
19:30 Martin: The umpire?
19:30 westbaystars: Nakajima fields the ball, throws to first, *not* scooped by Cabrera!
19:31 Martin: Because you said fouled off the umpire.
19:31 westbaystars: The short hop was too difficult.
19:31 westbaystars: Chunichi has their first base runner of the ball game.
19:31 westbaystars: No, the umpire didn't take it too hard this time.
19:31 westbaystars: That brings up number four batting Alex.
19:32 westbaystars: The ball hit Tatsunami running by, preventing it from going too far away on that last play.
19:32 westbaystars: Alex shatters his bat and lines out to Takagi near second.
19:33 westbaystars: The side is retired.
19:33 westbaystars: The Dragons finally got on base, but come up scoreless.
19:33 westbaystars: At the end of four complete, the Lions lead 1-0.
19:33 westbaystars: ---
19:33 westbaystars: --- Top of Fifth
19:33 westbaystars: ---
19:35 westbaystars: Takagi leads off, followed by Ishii, then back to the top of the order in Satoh this inning.
19:35 westbaystars: Takagi grounds the ball weakly to the right side.
19:35 westbaystars: His counter part Araki charges in, fields, fires to first.
19:35 westbaystars: One out.
19:36 westbaystars: That brings up pitcher Ishii, way back away from the plate this time, not at all looking like he's going to swing.
19:36 westbaystars: He takes four pitches, three for strikes.
19:36 westbaystars: Two outs.
19:37 westbaystars: Satoh shows bunt and takes strike one.
19:37 westbaystars: Not that again! It didn't work last time.
19:37 westbaystars: He's swinging with the second pitch and lines the ball into the right-center gap!
19:38 westbaystars: When the ball is returned to the infield from Alex in center, Satoh is standing on second base.
19:38 westbaystars: Akada follows.
19:38 Martin: That's much better than a grag bunt.
19:38 Martin: Sorry, drag bunt.
19:39 westbaystars: Akada pulls the ball through the right side, base hit!
19:39 westbaystars: Satoh holds at third as the throw comes back to the plate.
19:40 westbaystars: Two out rally going here.
19:40 westbaystars: Runners at first and third with Fernandez coming to the plate.
19:40 Martin: Yes! At bat Fernandez.
19:40 westbaystars: Fernandez absolutely killed the opposition with runners in scoring position in the playoffs.
19:41 Martin: Do you think Akada will steal?
19:41 westbaystars: Hey, Stevie. An hour earlier than I expected.
19:41 Martin: Too much risk?
19:41 westbaystars: Fernandez lifts the ball to right field.
19:41 westbaystars: And easy fly for Kuramoto.
19:41 Martin: Error? Yes!
19:41 westbaystars: But he drops it!
19:42 westbaystars: One run is in!
19:42 westbaystars: Akada heads to third!
19:42 westbaystars: Ochiai comes out to talk with Kawakami and the infield while Kuramoto looks nervous in right.
19:43 westbaystars: The ball hit the base of his glove and bounced out.
19:43 Martin: At bat Cabrera!
19:43 westbaystars: Unbelievable!
19:43 westbaystars: Yes, Cabrera up next.
19:43 westbaystars: Runners at first and third, two outs.
19:43 Martin: He will never forget that mistake!
19:43 westbaystars: The Lions are now leading 2-0 on the error.
19:44 westbaystars: Kawakami's hat is annoying me more than anything.
19:44 westbaystars: He wears it with the brim slightly off center to his right.
19:45 westbaystars: Cabrera breaks his bat right above his hands on the handle.
19:45 westbaystars: Foul ball.
19:45 MHtrStevie: Good morning... looks like I showed up at an exciting moment...
19:45 Martin: Maybe Cabrera can hit it in the right position!
19:45 westbaystars: Cabu gets another bat and comes set.
19:45 Martin: You came just in time.
19:46 westbaystars: Cabu lifts the ball high to the right side.
19:46 westbaystars: Araki calls off Linares and Kuramoto.
19:47 MHtrStevie: Is there a good streaming audio site for this game?
19:47 westbaystars: And he makes the catch in foul territory.
19:47 westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:47 westbaystars: But not before a very costly error surrendered a run.
19:47 westbaystars: The Lions now lead 2-0.
19:47 westbaystars: ---
19:47 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fifth
19:48 westbaystars: ---
19:48 Martin: I'm listening to yahoo.co.jp radio.
19:48 Martin: Via the chat session.
19:48 westbaystars: The link to there is in the "Ask the Commish" section.
19:49 westbaystars: Linares leads off grounding the ball back to Ishii.
19:49 westbaystars: Ishii fails to field the ball the first time, bare hands the ball the second time, and misses Cabrera at first.
19:49 westbaystars: E-1.
19:49 Martin: Base hit?
19:49 westbaystars: That's the second Dragon to reach base on an error.
19:50 westbaystars: As Ishii continues to throw a no hitter.
19:50 westbaystars: Watanabe follows.
19:52 westbaystars: Watanabe strikes out swinging on a 2-2 pitch up in the strike zone.
19:52 westbaystars: One out, runner still at first.
19:52 Martin: He strikes out again.
19:52 westbaystars: That brings up Tanishige.
19:52 Martin: Haha, you wish it was big!
19:53 westbaystars: Don't feed the trolls.
19:53 bigdick: oh hey. actually crowlema
19:54 westbaystars: Tanishige hit the ball at the plate.
19:54 westbaystars: Tanishige thought it was foul.
19:54 westbaystars: But Noda played the ball, threw to second for one,
19:54 westbaystars: the relay to first was in time, double play.
19:54 westbaystars: And Ochiai is arguing the fair call.
19:55 westbaystars: Nonetheless, at the end of five complete, the Lions lead 2-0.
19:55 westbaystars: ---
19:55 westbaystars: --- Top of Sixth
19:55 westbaystars: ---
19:56 Martin: Cabrera will lead off again. Time for a base hit now!
19:56 Martin: My mistake, Wada.
19:57 westbaystars: Crowlema-san. The build of IE 6.0 you're using (1.0.3705) has serious stability issues.
19:57 westbaystars: I'd recommend http://www.mozilla.org/
19:57 westbaystars: And downloading FireFox and switching to it.
19:57 Martin: Wada had a triple and a hr his previous at bat.
19:57 crowlema: i dont even know what you mean. get off?
19:57 westbaystars: The dome camera of the play showed that the umpire made the right call.
19:58 westbaystars: The ball was hit just in front of home plate, in fair territory.
19:59 westbaystars: The browser you're using is seriously flawed. FireFox won't keep failing on you, requiring you to keep loggin in.
19:59 westbaystars: Ochiai is protesting the game.
19:59 crowlema: wakata
20:00 westbaystars: He's pulled his players off the field.
20:00 Martin: Oh, no!
20:01 Martin: That will take some time now.
20:01 westbaystars: He sent Linares out to second base.
20:02 westbaystars: Now the umpires are talking with Itoh-kantoku, and he looks heated.
20:02 Martin: Linares?
20:02 westbaystars: The umpire made the right call the first time.
20:02 westbaystars: Was it Alex at second?
20:02 Martin: Hurry up and play, I have to leave in 30 minutes!
20:03 westbaystars: It looks like they've reversed the call.
20:03 Martin: No it was Linares, but I thought Linares would play 2B.
20:03 westbaystars: Well, not, because noone was at second.
20:03 westbaystars: Oh, I think I get it.
20:03 Martin: Impossible!
20:04 westbaystars: The're saying that Tanishige kicked the ball, so he was out.
20:04 westbaystars: The play at second needed a tag.
20:04 Martin: OK
20:04 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku isn't accepting this explanation.
20:05 westbaystars: The home plate umpire only showed that the ball was in play.
20:05 westbaystars: He made no indication that the batter was out.
20:06 westbaystars: The over-head camera shows that the ball was fair.
20:06 westbaystars: But I can't tell if Tanishige kicked it or not.
20:06 westbaystars: It was picked up right after he passed, so if he did, it was the lightest of brushes.
20:07 westbaystars: Linares is the only player on the field right now, standing on second.
20:07 westbaystars: The umpire crew are all waiting for Itoh-kantoku to send his players back out.
20:08 westbaystars: But Itoh-kantoku continues explaining the rules to the umpires.
20:08 westbaystars: Linares is returning to the first base dugout, feeling silly out there by himself.
20:08 MHtrStevie: Why would Linares be at second in this case?
20:08 westbaystars: He's ready to take the field.
20:08 westbaystars: He was at first.
20:09 westbaystars: Tanishige would be out for interfering with the ball.
20:09 MHtrStevie: IF Tanishige kicked the ball, that is...
20:09 westbaystars: The throw to second would have required a tag.
20:10 westbaystars: Is the ball dead there? And the runner must return?
20:10 westbaystars: The dugout report says that Itoh-kantoku is asking the umpires to ask Tanishige if he kicked the ball or not.
20:10 westbaystars: He did run all the way to first.
20:11 westbaystars: The umpire announced that Itoh-kantoku is still arguing the play, please wait.
20:13 westbaystars: I'm going upstairs to tuck in the kids. Will be back soon. Probably before this is resolved.
20:14 MHtrStevie: How would kicking the ball be considered different than, say, grounding out in a hit-and-run play?
20:15 MHtrStevie: Grounding to short with a hit-and-run on would still allow the 6-4-3 DP to happen, right?
20:15 westbaystars: What happens if the runner at first is hit by the ball on his way to second?
20:16 westbaystars: It's the same as that situation.
20:16 westbaystars: The runner is out.
20:16 westbaystars: The batter must still beat a throw to first, if I recall correctly.
20:17 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku is still refusing to send his players out.
20:17 MHtrStevie: The only difference I could see is that first is *always* a force play, right?
20:17 westbaystars: This is now the second longest delay in play for the Nippon Series in history.
20:17 westbaystars: Right.
20:18 MHtrStevie: I mean, if Linares was hit it's not like Tanishige could return home...
20:18 westbaystars: Exactly.
20:18 MHtrStevie: Would they consider Linares being hit by the ball a "tag" in that case?
20:18 westbaystars: So, what happens when the batter bunts the ball up the first base line and kicks it?
20:19 westbaystars: Yes, I believe that that's how the rules consider it.
20:19 MHtrStevie: That's what I'm thinking about...
20:19 westbaystars: But I'm not a rules expert.
20:19 MHtrStevie: So that way Tanishige is "tagged" out...
20:20 westbaystars: Right. Now we just need someone familiar with the rule book.
20:20 MHtrStevie: Would that mean Linares, between 1st and 2nd, would be caught in a rundown essentially?
20:20 westbaystars: If the home plate umpire had called Tanishige out at the time, yes.
20:21 westbaystars: But the throw to second had the covering player step on the bag and throw to first to complete the double play.
20:21 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku is relaxing in his chair.
20:22 MHtrStevie: Right... if Tanishige is considered "tagged out", then the DP chance goes away, right?
20:22 westbaystars: Radio announcers have already commented that this wouldn't happen in MLB.
20:22 westbaystars: What the umpires say goes over there.
20:22 MHtrStevie: The force at second would only exist with a force at first coming behind it, right?
20:22 westbaystars: But the Japanese umpires don't get any respect.
20:23 MHtrStevie: This is true... I remember Bob Whiting talking about this umpire initimidation...
20:25 MHtrStevie: Here's a weird but valid question...
20:25 MHtrStevie: We all know the 6-4-3 DP... has there ever been a 6-3-4 DP without a tag involved?
20:27 westbaystars: I can't think of how it would happen without a tag.
20:27 westbaystars: Unless the second baseman was covering first.
20:28 MHtrStevie: Yeah, the problem here was that the hope plate umpire didn't call Tanishige out...
20:28 westbaystars: Oh, a line drive to third, he threw to first, but didn't get the runner going back, but the throw to second got the ...
20:28 westbaystars: ... runner off the bag there.
20:28 MHtrStevie: home plate ump... sorry... =)
20:28 westbaystars: Not like this situation, though.
20:28 westbaystars: Ochiai and Itoh are meeting in the middle with the umpires to decide what to do.
20:29 westbaystars: Right, I think that that's the basic part of the problem.
20:29 MHtrStevie: If the ump had called Tanishige out, the Lions would have played the ball differently, probably...
20:29 westbaystars: The fielders reacted according to the home plate umpire's call.
20:30 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku is quietly listening. Itoh-kantoku is adamately protesting.
20:30 westbaystars: He looks like a kid with everyone ganging up on him.
20:30 westbaystars: Ochiai is whistling to himself. This is funny.
20:31 MHtrStevie: Sounds like a strange spectacle... =)
20:31 westbaystars: Ah! I just saw the replay again.
20:32 westbaystars: The umpire is calling the ball fair, Noda fields the ball, comes up with the ball near Tanishige, but doesn't touch him.
20:32 westbaystars: As Noda is throwing to second, the home plate umpire *does* call Tanishige out.
20:32 westbaystars: I think he thought Noda touched him. But Noda knew he didn't.
20:33 MHtrStevie: Ooooh... there's the difference...
20:33 Martin: So they had to tag at second!
20:33 westbaystars: Funny how you can see a little more each time they play that.
20:33 westbaystars: So they had to tag the runner at second. Exactly.
20:34 MHtrStevie: Was the ball ever near enough to Tanishige for him to possibly kick it?
20:34 westbaystars: We've passed 40 minutes on the delay.
20:34 Martin: How long can this take?
20:34 westbaystars: The ball was near the corner of the plate in the front on the first base side.
20:34 westbaystars: A right handed batter, Tanishige ran over the ball.
20:35 westbaystars: But I think the umpire thought Noda touched him as he picked up the ball.
20:35 MHtrStevie: Hmmm... who was claiming Tanishige kicked the ball, then?
20:36 westbaystars: The Commissioner is at a door onto the field.
20:36 Martin: If the ump called Tanishige out, they should have tagged at 2nd. Play ball!
20:36 westbaystars: He's not doing anything after the umpire talked with him, though.
20:36 westbaystars: He's just looking on.
20:37 MHtrStevie: Exactly... and surely, the home plate ump has already said why he called Tanishige out.
20:37 westbaystars: That was a guess as to why Tanishige was out. There hasn't been an official announcement as to why the umpire ...
20:37 westbaystars: ... thought Tanishige was out.
20:37 westbaystars: The home plate umpire is now explaining everything.
20:38 MHtrStevie: If it was a "tag" by Noda, then I guess it's Itoh-kantoku's argument now that Noda didn't tag him...
20:38 westbaystars: He says that he called Tanishige out being tagged out by Noda.
20:38 Martin: Ok, 2 outs, runner at 2nd.
20:38 westbaystars: The play at second was a tag play, which was not executed.
20:38 westbaystars: So Linares returns to second.
20:38 MHtrStevie: Probably why Ochiai-kantoku is being so "casual" right now... =)
20:38 westbaystars: Play will continue with two outs and Linares at second.
20:39 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku heatedly headed to the showers the last they showed the third base dugout.
20:39 westbaystars: Ah, he's back on the bench.
20:39 westbaystars: Linares grabs a helmet and heads back out.
20:39 westbaystars: He's the only player on the field.
20:39 Martin: I have to go now, play a tennis tournament. See you later. Go Lions!
20:39 westbaystars: The Lions aren't leaving the dugout.
20:40 westbaystars: Have a good time, Martin.
20:40 westbaystars: We might still be in delay when you return.
20:40 MHtrStevie: See ya, Martin!
20:40 westbaystars: Linares just stole third! And is laughing at third base.
20:41 westbaystars: The umpire just announced it again, explaining it better this time.
20:41 MHtrStevie: Is he going to steal home? =)
20:42 westbaystars: Somebody in a suit is in the Lions' dugout, and the Lions are now coming out.
20:43 westbaystars: The home plate umpire is now announcing to the crowd that this whole mess was caused by his missed call at first.
20:43 westbaystars: I think that that was the condition Itoh-kantoku would accept to send his players back out.
20:44 westbaystars: ... his missed call about Noda tagging Tanishige.
20:44 MHtrStevie: Yeah, that could be it...
20:45 westbaystars: Ishii is done warming back up.
20:45 MHtrStevie: Itoh-kantoku saves face... he was right to argue because of the ump's mistake...
20:45 westbaystars: We resume with Linares at second, two outs, and Kuramoto (Hidenori) at the plate.
20:46 MHtrStevie: Whew... all right, PLAY BALL!
20:46 westbaystars: The delay was 49 minutes.
20:46 westbaystars: The second longest in Nippon Series history.
20:47 Christopher: At last but Seibu will have to work hard to overcome the egg on their faces over this display
20:47 westbaystars: Wow! And lost of people joining us as play resumes in the bottom of the fifth.
20:47 MHtrStevie: Any idea what was the longest?
20:47 westbaystars: They showed it on TV, but I didn't catch the time.
20:48 westbaystars: I'm sure it'll be in tomorrow's newspapers - front page.
20:48 westbaystars: Ishii's first pitch to Hidenori is fouled off for strike one.
20:49 westbaystars: After taking ballone, Kuramoto lifts the ball to the right side.
20:49 westbaystars: Noda has a longer run than Cabrera, but makes the catch if foul territory.
20:49 westbaystars: Three outs.
20:49 westbaystars: For sure this time.
20:50 westbaystars: So, once again, at the end of five complete, the Lions lead 2-0.
20:50 westbaystars: ---
20:50 westbaystars: --- Top of Sixth
20:50 westbaystars: ---
20:50 MHtrStevie: Heh heh...
20:51 westbaystars: Ishii gave a big "guts pose" on that out, looking as mad as he can look.
20:52 westbaystars: Wada leads off the sixth for the Lions.
20:52 westbaystars: He hit a triple in the second, then a home run in the fourth.
20:52 westbaystars: That broke a 0 for 17 stroke in Nippon Series play lifetime.
20:53 westbaystars: Ball count runs to two strikes, one ball.
20:54 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is fouled off to the right side and into the stands.
20:54 westbaystars: Kawakami misses outside with the next pitch, two and two.
20:54 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is reached for and pulled to the left side.
20:54 westbaystars: Ibata fields the ball, throws a short hopper to first.
20:55 westbaystars: Linares scoops the ball well, one out.
20:55 westbaystars: That brings up Nakajima.
20:55 westbaystars: Umpire calls strike two up awfully high.
20:56 westbaystars: The third pitch misses outside, called accordingly. Two strikes, one ball.
20:56 westbaystars: The next pitch is swung on and missed, a slow curve. Strike three.
20:56 westbaystars: Nakajima was way out in front of the pitch.
20:56 westbaystars: Two outs.
20:56 westbaystars: That brings up Noda.
20:57 westbaystars: Noda lines the ball back to Kawakami on the mound.
20:57 westbaystars: Nobody's sure if he caught it on a bound or directly, but the throw to first decides it.
20:57 westbaystars: The Lions are retired in order in the sixth.
20:58 westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the sixth, the Lions continue to lead 2-0.
20:58 westbaystars: ---
20:58 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Sixth
20:58 westbaystars: ---
20:59 westbaystars: Kawakami will bat for himself to lead off the sixth.
20:59 westbaystars: Ishii still has a no-hitter going, the only two Dragons reaching so far on errors.
21:00 westbaystars: The 1-1 pitch to Kawakami looked pretty good, called ball two by the umpire.
21:00 westbaystars: Ishii looked a little disturbed by the call.
21:00 Christopher: Can he continue it or will he be changed?
21:00 westbaystars: A foul ball later, Kawakami is called out on a pitch on the inside corner.
21:00 westbaystars: One out.
21:01 westbaystars: Ishii is throwing pretty well.
21:01 westbaystars: But the radio announcer just said that one of the errors was an infield hit.
21:01 westbaystars: I wish they'd show the scoreboard for confirmation now.
21:02 westbaystars: Nonetheless, Araki stands in.
21:02 westbaystars: He lifts a pitch to shallow right.
21:02 westbaystars: Takagi goes back and calls the ball.
21:02 westbaystars: But Satoh calls louder, getting Takagi to duck just in time to Satoh to make the catch.
21:02 westbaystars: That was dangerous.
21:02 westbaystars: But the second out nonetheless.
21:03 westbaystars: Ibata takes strike one on the inside corner.
21:03 westbaystars: Ishii's second pitch is a slow curve, inside. One and one.
21:03 westbaystars: The third pitch misses low.
21:04 westbaystars: Ibata lifts the fourth pitch into the crowd on the left side and foul.
21:04 westbaystars: The fifth pitch misses outside. Full count.
21:04 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is grounded up the first base line.
21:05 westbaystars: Cabrera snags the ball on the foul side of the first base line, after the ball travels over the first base bag - fair.
21:05 westbaystars: Cabu takes the ball to the bag himself, and the Dragons are down in order yet again.
21:05 westbaystars: At the end of six complete, the Lions continue to lead 2-0.
21:05 westbaystars: ---
21:05 westbaystars: --- Top of Seventh
21:05 westbaystars: ---
21:06 westbaystars: Kawakami is still on the mound for Chunichi.
21:06 westbaystars: Takagi leads off the Lions' Lucky Seven taking ball one.
21:07 westbaystars: The next pitch is called strike one in the upper part of the strike zone.
21:07 westbaystars: Takagi then grounds the ball to the right side.
21:07 westbaystars: Linares fields the ball, then blocks the line and touches Takagi out.
21:08 westbaystars: One down.
21:08 westbaystars: Ishii bats for himself, with a big smile in the batter's box.
21:08 westbaystars: Standing as far away from the plate as he can.
21:08 westbaystars: He watches two strikes go by.
21:08 westbaystars: The third pitch is low and away, no way he was swinging at that.
21:09 westbaystars: The next pitch is a little high, but called strike three to Ishii's great relief.
21:09 westbaystars: Two outs.
21:09 westbaystars: Ishii looked like he wanted to hit in the second with runners on.
21:09 westbaystars: That brings us to the top of the Lions' order in Satoh.
21:09 westbaystars: For the fourth time through.
21:10 westbaystars: Satoh fouls a pitch off his own leg to bring the count to two strikes, one ball.
21:10 westbaystars: That was Kawakami's 101st pitch.
21:10 westbaystars: The next pitch is lifted deep to right.
21:10 westbaystars: Hidenori goes back a couple of steps, and makes the catch.
21:11 westbaystars: he held on this time, and the side is retired.
21:11 westbaystars: The score remains Lions 2 - 0 Dragons.
21:11 westbaystars: ---
21:11 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Seventh
21:11 westbaystars: ---
21:12 westbaystars: It's the Dragons' Lucky Seven.
21:13 westbaystars: Tatsunami swings at the first pitch and flies out to Akada in straight away center.
21:13 westbaystars: One pitch, one out.
21:13 westbaystars: That brings up Alex.
21:14 westbaystars: He takes strike one low.
21:14 westbaystars: The next pitch is lower, one and one.
21:14 westbaystars: Ishii throws low and away, Alex isn't chasing.
21:15 westbaystars: The next pitch is high, ball three.
21:15 westbaystars: The next pitch is down the pipe! Taken to bring the count full.
21:16 westbaystars: A foul ball later, Alex strokes the ball to left, one bound, hit!
21:16 westbaystars: That's the Dragons' first hit of the game, according to my reconing.
21:16 westbaystars: Linares follows.
21:17 westbaystars: During the season, Ishii threw as many as 110 pitches in a game.
21:17 westbaystars: Linares grounds the ball to Takagi at second.
21:18 westbaystars: He throws to second for one, the relay to first is in time, double play.
21:18 westbaystars: The Dragons got their first hit of the game, but are retired in three.
21:18 westbaystars: At the end of seven complete, Seibu continues to lead 2-0.
21:18 westbaystars: ---
21:18 westbaystars: --- Top of Eighth
21:18 westbaystars: ---
21:20 westbaystars: Okamoto comes in to pitch for the Dragons.
21:20 westbaystars: He's been the Dragons' set-upper all season.
21:20 westbaystars: Had 63 appearances over the season.
21:21 westbaystars: He faces number two batter Akada to start.
21:21 westbaystars: Okamoto's first pitch is up and away, ball one.
21:22 westbaystars: The next pitch misses low, ball two.
21:22 westbaystars: Akada squares and takes ball three high.
21:22 westbaystars: Fernandez swings the bat on deck.
21:22 westbaystars: The next pitch is taken outside, ball four on four pitches.
21:23 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku stands up in the third base dugout and sends some signs to the third base coach.
21:23 westbaystars: With Fernandez up, what's on?
21:23 westbaystars: The first pitch just hangs on the outside corner for strike one.
21:24 westbaystars: Fernandez drove in a run last time up when Hidenori dropped the ball in right.
21:24 westbaystars: After a pick-off attempt, Okamoto misses outside, one and one.
21:25 westbaystars: Another throw to first.
21:25 westbaystars: The throw to the plate in the dirt. Blocked well by Tanishige.
21:26 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is swung on and missed on the inside part of the plate.
21:26 westbaystars: Two and two.
21:26 westbaystars: Fernandez fouls the next pitch off into the stands on the right side.
21:26 westbaystars: Nobody out, runner at first.
21:27 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is called strike three.
21:27 westbaystars: Fernandez argues that the pitch was high.
21:27 westbaystars: It was, but not as high as he appealed.
21:27 westbaystars: One out, runner still at first.
21:28 westbaystars: Cabrera at the plate.
21:28 westbaystars: Cabu has fouled out at least twice so far, maybe three times.
21:30 westbaystars: He's into fair territory this time, grounding the ball through the left side of the infield for a base hit.
21:30 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with one out and Wada coming to the plate.
21:31 westbaystars: Wada hit a triple and solo home run his first two at bats tonight.
21:31 westbaystars: Wada grounds the ball to the right side.
21:32 westbaystars: Araki fields the ball, collides with Cabrera and falls to the ground.
21:32 westbaystars: Hey!
21:32 westbaystars: He ran into Cabrera to get interference called!
21:33 westbaystars: The batter is called out for interference by Cabrera, but Cabu didn't do it!
21:33 westbaystars: Araki dove into Cabrera!
21:33 Christopher: The replay showed a bit of nastiness - Cabrera took him out as he went to tag
21:33 westbaystars: That's low!
21:33 westbaystars: It looked the other way around to me.
21:34 westbaystars: Cabrera was slowing down to take the tag, and Araki dove into him.
21:34 westbaystars: ---
21:34 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Eighth
21:34 westbaystars: ---
21:34 Christopher: They showed another angle - Cabrera took him with an elbow.
21:34 westbaystars: Onodera comes in to throw for Seibu.
21:35 westbaystars: OK. I'll accept that. Especially considering Araki looked like he was looking for loose teeth.
21:36 westbaystars: Watanabe stands in and takes outside for ball one, Onodera's first pitch of the game.
21:37 westbaystars: Watanabe grounds out to Takagi at second. One out.
21:37 westbaystars: That brings up Tanishige again.
21:37 westbaystars: Gee, it seems like a long time since he was up.
21:38 MHtrStevie: All right, I have to head out... wish we didn't have that long delay earlier...
21:38 MHtrStevie: See you tomorrow for Game 2!
21:38 westbaystars: It's been quick before and after.
21:39 westbaystars: Tanishige lifts the ball to the right side.
21:39 westbaystars: Cabrera calls off Takagi, and makes the catch.
21:39 westbaystars: Two outs.
21:39 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku calls the home plate umpire over, and announces Mori as a pinch hitter for right fielder Hidenori.
21:40 westbaystars: Mori takes ball one, and the third base umpire says he didn't s wing.
21:40 westbaystars: The next pitch is fouled off behind the back net. One and one.
21:41 westbaystars: The third pitch is taken low. One strike, two balls. Two down.
21:41 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is in the dirt for ball three.
21:42 westbaystars: The next pitch misses inside and low, ball four.
21:42 westbaystars: And Morino comes on to pinch hit for Okamoto.
21:44 westbaystars: Morino lifts the ball to shallow right.
21:44 westbaystars: Satoh calls the ball running in, and makes the catch.
21:44 westbaystars: The Dragons managed to get a base runner, but home remains a long way away.
21:45 westbaystars: At the end of eight complete, the Lions continue to lead 2-0.
21:45 westbaystars: ---
21:45 westbaystars: --- Top of Nineth
21:45 westbaystars: ---
21:46 westbaystars: In to pitch for the Dragons is Iwase.
21:46 westbaystars: 2.80 ERA in 60 games this season.
21:46 westbaystars: 2 and 3 with 22 saves.
21:47 westbaystars: The first batter he'll face is Nakajima.
21:48 westbaystars: Nakajima is swinging big, missing Iwase's first pitch for strike one.
21:48 westbaystars: The second pitch is in the dirt inside and goes all the way to the back stop.
21:48 westbaystars: Nakajima fouls off the third pitch the other way into the stands on the first base side.
21:49 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku still looks upset in the third base dugout.
21:49 westbaystars: And Nakajima takes high, two and two.
21:49 westbaystars: The next pitch misses high, full count.
21:49 Christopher: Why?
21:50 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is bounced off of Ibata's chest. He can't recover in time, E-6.
21:50 westbaystars: Why is Itoh-kantoku still upset? That earlier delay is my guess.
21:50 westbaystars: With nobody out and a runner at first, Noda shows bunt, but the pitch goes to first.
21:51 westbaystars: The first pitch is bunted in front of the dugout.
21:51 Christopher: Seibu look set to win this match comfortably but I found their attitude left a bad taste in the mouth.
21:52 westbaystars: Tanishige is out of there quickly, holding Noda up from running.
21:52 westbaystars: He throws to second, but the ball is called foul.
21:52 westbaystars: Looked awfully fair to me.
21:52 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku gives a laugh, but isn't complaining.
21:53 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku has a better attitude than Itoh-kantoku.
21:53 westbaystars: Noda fails to bunt twice more and is called out.
21:54 westbaystars: That brings up Takagi with a runner still at first and one out.
21:54 westbaystars: Takagi squares and takes ball one on the first pitch.
21:55 westbaystars: Similar on the next pitch, squres to bunt, takes ball two outside.
21:55 westbaystars: And the third pitch is taken from the squared position for ball three.
21:56 westbaystars: Iwase is having trouble pitching to the left handed Takagi.
21:56 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is up and away, Takagi walks on four pitches.
21:56 westbaystars: Pinch hitting for the pitcher Onodera is Hirao.
21:57 westbaystars: With runners at first and second and one out.
21:57 westbaystars: Hirao is swinging, fouling the first pitch off to the right side.
21:57 westbaystars: Iwase's second pitch is down the middle, swung on and missed. Strike two.
21:58 westbaystars: The left handed Iwase seems to throw better to right handed batters.
21:58 westbaystars: Waste pitch outside, ball one.
21:58 westbaystars: The next pitch is in the dirt, taken for ball two. Two and two.
21:59 westbaystars: The next pitch misses outside, ball three. Full count.
21:59 westbaystars: Iwase has thrown 6 strikes and 12 balls so far this inning.
22:00 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is grounded to the right side.
22:00 westbaystars: Linares rushes in and fields the ball on a short hop.
22:00 westbaystars: He takes the ball to the first base bag for the force.
22:00 westbaystars: The runners move up.
22:00 westbaystars: Two outs, runners now at second and third.
22:00 westbaystars: The top of the Lions' order in Satoh at the plate.
22:01 westbaystars: Hi, Habs-san. We're in the top of the 10th. Lions lead 2-0.
22:02 westbaystars: It's been a fast game with the exception of a 50 minute argument delay.
22:02 westbaystars: (49 minutes officially.)
22:02 westbaystars: Satoh grounds the ball to the right side.
22:02 westbaystars: Araki fields the ball, throws to first, and the Lions are retired.
22:02 westbaystars: The Dragons are down to their final three outs in Game 1.
22:03 westbaystars: Going to the last of the nineth, they trail 0-2.
22:03 habs: morning.
22:03 westbaystars: ---
22:03 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Nineth
22:03 westbaystars: ---
22:04 westbaystars: Toyoda takes the mound to close for the Lions.
22:04 westbaystars: He was a bit shaky in both stages of the playoffs.
22:04 westbaystars: He had a 0.98 ERA during the regular season.
22:05 habs: There was a picture of the Itoh being held up by his players in our local paper.
22:05 westbaystars: Ah, thrown in the air. "Doage."
22:06 westbaystars: Araki leads off against Toyoda.
22:06 westbaystars: Toyoda's first pitch is swung on and missed, strike one.
22:07 westbaystars: Araki grounds the ball back to Toyoda.
22:07 westbaystars: Toyoda throws the ball to first, one out.
22:08 westbaystars: Ibata follows.
22:09 westbaystars: The count goes even, two and two.
22:09 westbaystars: Ibata fails to check his swing at the fifth pitch inside, strike three!
22:10 westbaystars: The Dragons are down to their last out.
22:10 westbaystars: Tatsunami stands in, and takes ball one from Toyoda.
22:10 westbaystars: The next pitch is lifted deep to center.
22:10 westbaystars: Akada goes back, at the warning track,
22:10 westbaystars: makes the catch!
22:10 westbaystars: Shiai shuryo.
22:11 westbaystars: Game over.
22:11 westbaystars: The silence in the stands is haunting as the Lions give each other high fives.
22:11 westbaystars: Starting pitcher Ishii has a big smile on his face.
22:11 habs: What was the arguement about?
22:11 Christopher: This game will be remembered for the 50 minute sulk
22:12 westbaystars: Basically, the ball was hit in front of the plate.
22:12 westbaystars: Seibu's catcher Noda picked up the ball, faked a tag of Tanishige,
22:12 westbaystars: ... then threw to second base for the force on the runner.
22:13 westbaystars: The relay to first was in time, the side was retired.
22:13 westbaystars: But ---
22:13 westbaystars: The home plate umpire thought that the catcher tagged out Tanishige.
22:13 westbaystars: That meant that the play at second was a touch play.
22:13 westbaystars: Because he wasn't tagged out, it wasn't the end of the inning.
22:14 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku (Dragons) pointed that out, and the home plate umpire agreed that the runner should still be at second.
22:14 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku (Lions), on the other hand, refused to accept that, ...
22:14 westbaystars: ... getting out calls at second and first.
22:15 westbaystars: For 49 minutes, Itoh-kantoku refused to allow his players to go back onto the field.
22:15 westbaystars: Finally, he got the umpire to admit that it was his blown call of a tag at the plate that was the cause of the fiasco.
22:15 westbaystars: And after that, his players took the field and play resumed.
22:15 westbaystars: ***
22:16 westbaystars: ***
22:16 westbaystars: *** Game Final
22:16 westbaystars: ***
22:16 westbaystars: *** Seibu Lions 2 - 0 Chunichi Dragons
22:16 westbaystars: ***
22:16 westbaystars: ***
22:16 habs: Not good for the umpire.
22:16 westbaystars: Ishii Takashi is announced as the hero of the game.
22:17 habs: Is there a game tomorrow and at what time?
22:17 Christopher: Is faking a tag legal?
22:17 westbaystars: If you've read Whiting, you'll know how poorly the umpires are treated here.
22:17 westbaystars: Yes, there's a game tomorrow.
22:17 Christopher: Ah yes... I remember
22:18 westbaystars: Yes, faking a tag is legal. He just reached out, couldn't reach the runner, so he threw to second.
22:18 westbaystars: It wasn't really meant to fool anyone.
22:19 westbaystars: Also starting at 6:20 JST, I believe.
22:19 Christopher: I hope so - as a neutral I'm not impressed by Seibu's attitude so far
22:21 westbaystars: I'd like to thank TBS TV for showing the game in its entirety.
22:22 westbaystars: When TV Asahi showed the First Stage, they cut off early on the final game.
22:22 habs: Is tbs turner broadcast?
22:23 westbaystars: No, Tokyo Broadcasting System (Service?).
22:24 Christopher: Is TBS going to show tomorrows game?
22:24 westbaystars: Owners of the Yokohama BayStars.
22:24 westbaystars: I hope so. They did a great job.
22:25 westbaystars: I'll know when I see the newspaper tomorrow morning.
22:25 habs: It's late for you hope to join you tomorrow.
22:25 westbaystars: All games aren't sold to a single network like they are in the U.S.
22:25 Christopher: Many thanks see you tomorrow
22:26 westbaystars: Hope to see you then. But you might want to wake up a little earlier.
22:26 westbaystars: If it weren't for the delay, you'd have missed the whole thing.
22:26 westbaystars: So, see you tomorrow. Take care all.
22:26 habs: Yeah will try.
Question, do you like me telling you the score at the beginning here, or prefer to work through the transcript for it (not liking the spoiler)? I'll post transcript recaps according to feedback.
So, without further ado, the game transcript:
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2004/10/16 22:27
CHATROOM 2004 Nippon Series/Game 1
MODERATORS westbaystars
18:07 westbaystars: Yokohama lost to Yakult earlier today to finish out the season.
18:09 westbaystars: With the loss, Yokohama dropped back into last place for the third straight year.
18:09 westbaystars: Bummer.
18:10 westbaystars: I hope that Ushijima can turn our fortunes around next season.
18:11 westbaystars: Not that I disliked Yamashita-kantoku. He was a nice guy. Just, not motivating enough.
18:17 westbaystars: ---
18:17 westbaystars: --- Top of First
18:17 westbaystars: ---
18:18 westbaystars: On the mound for Chunichi this first game is Dragon ace Kawakami Kenshin.
18:20 westbaystars: The first Lion he'll be facing is right fielder Satoh.
18:20 westbaystars: The first pitch is grounded back up the middle, bouncing over Kawakami's head.
18:21 westbaystars: Ibata dashes over, and just behind the second base bag makes the grab, throws to first, and we have one out on one pitch
18:21 westbaystars: Next up is Akada.
18:22 westbaystars: Adaka takes two strikes to fall in a hole.
18:22 westbaystars: The third pitch from Kawakami is called strike three!
18:22 westbaystars: Nice pitch on the outside part of the plate.
18:22 westbaystars: San kyu sanshin.
18:23 westbaystars: Kawakami won 17 games this season, most in the Central League.
18:23 westbaystars: Fernandez follows with nobody on.
18:23 westbaystars: He lines Kawakami's second offering through the left side of the infield and into left. Two out base hit.
18:24 westbaystars: That'll bring up Cabrera.
18:24 westbaystars: One thing that Nikkan Sports commented on in today's paper is that at Nagoya Dome they use a less lively ball than ...
18:24 westbaystars: ... at most other stadiua.
18:25 westbaystars: That may have an effect on Fernandez and Cabrera.
18:25 westbaystars: With two strikes, Cabrera took a pitch just inside that looked awfully good.
18:26 westbaystars: Good evening, Prince.
18:26 westbaystars: Cabu takes ball two way outside, two and two.
18:27 westbaystars: The next pitch is lifted high and straight up.
18:27 westbaystars: Tanishige throws off his mask, wonders around a bit up the first base side, and makes the catch a little ...
18:27 westbaystars: ... in foul territory.
18:27 westbaystars: The Lions got a two out base hit, but nothing more.
18:28 westbaystars: At the end of half an inning, the Lions are scoreless and Dragons are coming up to bat.
18:28 westbaystars: ---
18:28 westbaystars: --- Bottom of First
18:28 westbaystars: ---
18:29 westbaystars: Starting for Seibu is Ishii Takashi.
18:29 westbaystars: His first pitch is fouled off to the right side by Araki.
18:30 westbaystars: After getting strike two on a foul ball, Ishii gets the ball and jumps up and down a few times on his way back to the mo
18:30 westbaystars: ... mound.
18:30 westbaystars: Araki managed to hold up on the third pitch out and away, but not the fourth.
18:31 westbaystars: He goes down swinging for the first out.
18:31 westbaystars: That brings up Ibata.
18:32 westbaystars: Ibata grounds a two strike, one ball pitch to the right side.
18:32 westbaystars: Takagi fields the ball, throws to first, and we have two outs.
18:33 westbaystars: Next up is Tatsunami.
18:33 westbaystars: Ishii gets ahead of Tatsunami quickly with two strikes.
18:35 westbaystars: Tatsunami takes a ball, then fouls off a pair.
18:35 westbaystars: The next pitch is taken low and in, two and two.
18:35 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is up high, full count.
18:37 westbaystars: After fouling another two pitches off, Tatsunami swings and misses a pitch low and in.
18:37 westbaystars: Strike three.
18:37 westbaystars: The Dragons are retired in order.
18:37 westbaystars: At the end of one complete, there is no score.
18:37 westbaystars: ---
18:37 westbaystars: --- Top of Second
18:37 westbaystars: ---
18:39 westbaystars: Number five batter Wada leads off the second taking strike one.
18:40 westbaystars: After taking ball one, Wada lines the ball to right.
18:40 westbaystars: Going, going, it's off the fense, about 2/3rds of the way up.
18:40 westbaystars: The ball bouncing back gets past Watanabe and goes into never-never land!
18:41 westbaystars: Wada kicks second, heads for third.
18:41 westbaystars: And he's in there well ahead of the throw that's to the third base coach's box.
18:41 westbaystars: Lead off triple!
18:41 PrinceAeneas: go go!!!
18:41 westbaystars: Next up is Nakajima.
18:42 westbaystars: Nakajima grounds the ball to short.
18:42 westbaystars: Ibata lookis Wada back to third (he'd have had a play there if Tatsunami had thought to cover it.)
18:43 westbaystars: The throw to first is in time for out number one.
18:43 westbaystars: Next up is Noda, catching this evening.
18:44 westbaystars: Noda grounds the ball to the right side.
18:45 westbaystars: With the infield in, Wada is held by Araki, who throws to first, and we have two outs.
18:45 westbaystars: Takagi is the Lions' last chance to make this lead off triple count.
18:45 westbaystars: Well, maybe not.
18:46 westbaystars: They're walking him intensionally to face pitcher Ishii.
18:46 Martin: They can still walk him and get the pitcher.
18:46 westbaystars: Tanishige takes four outside and Ishii Takashi comes up for his first at bat in a looooong time.
18:47 Martin: I was just thinking it, hahaha.
18:47 westbaystars: Runners at first and third, two outs.
18:47 westbaystars: He takes strike one on the outside part of the plate.
18:47 westbaystars: The next pitch is swung on and missed, strike two.
18:47 westbaystars: It was a good cut.
18:47 westbaystars: The third pitch is out and away, ball one.
18:47 Martin: C'mon Ishii.
18:48 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is reached out and fouled off to the right side.
18:48 westbaystars: Kawakami misses low and away with the fifth pitch. Two and two.l
18:49 westbaystars: The next pitch just gets the outside corner and Ishii is called out on strikes.
18:49 westbaystars: Cheap shot!
18:49 Martin: That was a huge change to score the first run.
18:49 PrinceAeneas: **&^(*!!!!
18:49 westbaystars: The Lions had a lead-off triple, but nothing to show for it.
18:49 westbaystars: The game remains scoreless after one and a half.
18:49 westbaystars: ---
18:49 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Second
18:49 westbaystars: ---
18:50 Martin: Is Nagoya dome sold out? How many people?
18:50 westbaystars: Yes, 40500 announced.
18:51 westbaystars: Alex leads off the Dragons' half of the second.
18:51 Martin: It's too bad I cannot watch the game on tv.
18:52 westbaystars: Or 40,500 will be announced. The announcers said that they're sold out, and that's Nagoya Dome's "manin" number.
18:52 westbaystars: Do they have it on "squint vision" tonight?
18:53 westbaystars: Ishii gets ahead with two quick strikes, then delivers ball one out and away.
18:53 westbaystars: Out and low, that is.
18:53 westbaystars: The next pitch misses inside, two and two.
18:53 Martin: I did not find anything, just listening to yahoo radio.
18:53 westbaystars: The next pitch looked better than the one Ishii was called out on, but is called ball three.
18:53 westbaystars: Full count.
18:53 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is grounded up the middle.
18:54 westbaystars: Takagi gets the the ball deep behind second base, turns, fires weakly to first,
18:54 westbaystars: but the ball gets there in time to get Alex.
18:54 westbaystars: One out.
18:54 westbaystars: Next up is Linares.
18:54 westbaystars: He grounds the first pitch to Takagi.
18:54 westbaystars: Takagi doesn't have to make a spectacular play for this one.
18:55 westbaystars: He throws Linares out by a good margin for out number two.
18:55 westbaystars: Watanabe follows.
18:55 PrinceAeneas: Rock!
18:56 westbaystars: Ishii strikes Watanabe out on three pitches, Watanabe watching the last one go by.
18:56 westbaystars: Nice pitching!
18:56 westbaystars: After two complete, the game remains scoreless.
18:56 westbaystars: ---
18:56 westbaystars: --- Top of Third
18:56 westbaystars: ---
18:56 PrinceAeneas: Yesyesyes
18:58 westbaystars: The Lions start with the top of their order in Satoh.
18:58 westbaystars: He takes strike one on the outside part of the plate while showing bunt.
18:58 westbaystars: The second pitch is bunted up the first base side.
18:59 westbaystars: Tanishige scrambles for the ball, fields it, and throws Satoh out.
18:59 westbaystars: The safety bunt fails.
18:59 westbaystars: Next up is Akada.
18:59 westbaystars: Kawakami gets the first pitch over, called strike one.
18:59 westbaystars: The second pitch is close to where the first was, but a little higher, ball one.
19:00 westbaystars: The third pitch is grounded up the middle.
19:00 westbaystars: Araki fields the ball near the second base bag and fires to first.
19:00 westbaystars: Two outs.
19:00 westbaystars: That brings up Fernandez.
19:00 Martin: He had a base hit in the first inning.
19:01 westbaystars: Fernandez got the first hit of the game, a bullet through the left side in the first.
19:01 westbaystars: Kawakami falls behind, one strike, two balls.
19:02 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is way up high, ball three.
19:02 PrinceAeneas: MMMMMMMMMMMMMM
19:02 westbaystars: Pitch number five is fouled away off the right side. Full count.
19:03 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is thrown right down the middle by Kawakami.
19:03 westbaystars: And swung on and missed by Fernandez.
19:03 westbaystars: Right where Fernandez wouldn't expect the ball to be, I assume.
19:03 westbaystars: The Lions are retired in order for the first time this game.
19:03 westbaystars: And the game remains scoreless.
19:03 westbaystars: ---
19:03 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Third
19:03 westbaystars: ---
19:05 westbaystars: Number seven batter Tanishige leads off the Dragons' third.
19:05 westbaystars: Tanishige helped Yokohama defeat the Lions back in 1998.
19:05 westbaystars: But he grounds out to third on the first pitch by Ishii here.
19:05 westbaystars: One quick out.
19:06 westbaystars: That brings up Hidenori.
19:07 westbaystars: Hidenori grounds the ball to Fernandez at third who makes a strange back handed grab, then throws to ...
19:07 westbaystars: ... Cabrera on a short hop!
19:07 westbaystars: Cabu scoops the ball out of the dirt, and we have two outs.
19:07 westbaystars: Nice save by Cabrera.
19:08 westbaystars: Next up is opposing pitcher Kawakami, used to batting during the season.
19:08 westbaystars: After two quick strikes, Kawakami takes ball one high.
19:08 PrinceAeneas: we'll see
19:09 westbaystars: After fouling one off, Kawakami whiffs the fifth pitch and the Dragons are down in order yet again.
19:09 westbaystars: Ishii has handed the Dragons perfectly so far.
19:10 westbaystars: At the end of three complete, the game remains scoreless.
19:10 westbaystars: ---
19:10 westbaystars: --- Top of Fourth
19:10 westbaystars: ---
19:10 Martin: Cabrera will lead off. What does "捕邪" mean?
19:11 Martin: What did Cabu do in his first at bat?
19:11 PrinceAeneas: Good game though, good defense
19:11 westbaystars: Foul out to the catcher.
19:12 Martin: Are you watching the game Prine Aeneas?
19:12 westbaystars: The first character is the "catch" part of catcher.
19:12 westbaystars: The second is foul.
19:12 Martin: Thanks Westbay-san
19:13 westbaystars: My pleasure.
19:13 westbaystars: Cabrera, after getting behind with two quick strikes, evens the count at two, two.
19:13 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is lifted high and deep to left.
19:14 westbaystars: Tatsunami and Watanabe both run out, but it heads into the stands foul.
19:14 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is outside, taken for ball three. Full count.
19:15 westbaystars: The next pitch is swung on and missed, on the outside part of the plate.
19:15 westbaystars: Good pitch, strike three.
19:15 westbaystars: That's the first out of the inning.
19:15 westbaystars: Kawakami's 50th pitch of the game is fouled off by Wada for strike one.
19:16 westbaystars: He hit a triple off the right field wall his first at bat.
19:16 Martin: WADA HR!
19:16 westbaystars: This time he pulls the ball up the left field line and deep.
19:16 westbaystars: It's going, haitaaaaaaa!
19:16 westbaystars: Home run!
19:16 Martin: Yataaaaaaaaaaaa
19:16 westbaystars: That ball just barely made it over the left field wall, which is pretty tall.
19:17 westbaystars: And just inside the foul pole.
19:17 Martin: First a triple and now a HR, that is great!
19:17 westbaystars: But a home run is a home run.
19:17 PrinceAeneas: nice , veryvery nice, I have to say.
19:17 westbaystars: The hard two of a cycle are behind him his first two at bats.
19:17 westbaystars: As the Lions take a 1-0 lead.
19:18 westbaystars: Nakajima follows.
19:18 Martin: I was just typing the same.
19:18 westbaystars: I used to type 60 words a minute back in college. Worked as a legal secretary.
19:18 westbaystars: I'm slower now.
19:19 westbaystars: Full count to Nakajima.
19:19 westbaystars: One out, nobody on.
19:19 Martin: I'm much slower.
19:19 westbaystars: Nakajima grounds the ball through the left side of the infield for a base hit.
19:19 westbaystars: The Lions are trying to make this a big inning.
19:20 PrinceAeneas: Based on who gets the first run, I have to go sleep with my girlfriend now.
19:20 westbaystars: It gets hard to type when things get exciting.
19:20 westbaystars: Noda comes up next.
19:20 Martin: Sleep well.
19:20 Martin: Go Noda!
19:21 westbaystars: Kawakami has slowed down a great deal all of a sudden with the runner on first.
19:22 westbaystars: Noda grounds the ball to the left side.
19:23 westbaystars: Tatsunami fields the ball, throws to second for one.
19:23 westbaystars: The relay to first is high, but Linares gets his foot back down just in time.
19:23 westbaystars: Double play.
19:23 Martin: Oops, that should have been the big inning!
19:24 westbaystars: That retires the Lions in the fourth.
19:24 westbaystars: But not before Wada hits a home run to left to break the scoreless tie.
19:24 westbaystars: The Lions now lead 1-0.
19:24 westbaystars: ---
19:24 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fourth
19:24 westbaystars: ---
19:24 Martin: Just you and me Westbay-san. Where are the other Japanese baseball fans?
19:25 westbaystars: Asleep.
19:25 Martin: Maybe you should make a pop up screen on the home page.
19:25 westbaystars: Many often join between 8:30 and 9:30 JST.
19:25 westbaystars: Araki leads off grounding out to short on the first pitch.
19:25 westbaystars: One out.
19:25 Martin: So that everyone know you are doiing this great thing.
19:26 westbaystars: That brings up Ibata.
19:26 Martin: No hit so far for the Daragons.
19:27 westbaystars: I'd never see the pop-up page. I use Mozilla FireFox with pop-up blocker on by default.
19:27 westbaystars: Looking over the shoulder of IE users I wonder how they get anything done.
19:27 westbaystars: Ishii goes 2-2 to Ibata.
19:28 westbaystars: The next pitch is fouled off the umpire.
19:28 westbaystars: Ishii hit 150 kph with that pitch, his max so far.
19:29 Martin: Injured again? Just like the game Lions-Fighters?
19:29 westbaystars: After fouling another one off, Ibata grounds out to Takagi at second.
19:29 westbaystars: Two outs.
19:30 westbaystars: Tatsunami follows.
19:30 Martin: Tatsunami a bat.
19:30 westbaystars: Who injured?
19:30 westbaystars: Tatsunami grounds the ball deep to short.
19:30 Martin: The umpire?
19:30 westbaystars: Nakajima fields the ball, throws to first, *not* scooped by Cabrera!
19:31 Martin: Because you said fouled off the umpire.
19:31 westbaystars: The short hop was too difficult.
19:31 westbaystars: Chunichi has their first base runner of the ball game.
19:31 westbaystars: No, the umpire didn't take it too hard this time.
19:31 westbaystars: That brings up number four batting Alex.
19:32 westbaystars: The ball hit Tatsunami running by, preventing it from going too far away on that last play.
19:32 westbaystars: Alex shatters his bat and lines out to Takagi near second.
19:33 westbaystars: The side is retired.
19:33 westbaystars: The Dragons finally got on base, but come up scoreless.
19:33 westbaystars: At the end of four complete, the Lions lead 1-0.
19:33 westbaystars: ---
19:33 westbaystars: --- Top of Fifth
19:33 westbaystars: ---
19:35 westbaystars: Takagi leads off, followed by Ishii, then back to the top of the order in Satoh this inning.
19:35 westbaystars: Takagi grounds the ball weakly to the right side.
19:35 westbaystars: His counter part Araki charges in, fields, fires to first.
19:35 westbaystars: One out.
19:36 westbaystars: That brings up pitcher Ishii, way back away from the plate this time, not at all looking like he's going to swing.
19:36 westbaystars: He takes four pitches, three for strikes.
19:36 westbaystars: Two outs.
19:37 westbaystars: Satoh shows bunt and takes strike one.
19:37 westbaystars: Not that again! It didn't work last time.
19:37 westbaystars: He's swinging with the second pitch and lines the ball into the right-center gap!
19:38 westbaystars: When the ball is returned to the infield from Alex in center, Satoh is standing on second base.
19:38 westbaystars: Akada follows.
19:38 Martin: That's much better than a grag bunt.
19:38 Martin: Sorry, drag bunt.
19:39 westbaystars: Akada pulls the ball through the right side, base hit!
19:39 westbaystars: Satoh holds at third as the throw comes back to the plate.
19:40 westbaystars: Two out rally going here.
19:40 westbaystars: Runners at first and third with Fernandez coming to the plate.
19:40 Martin: Yes! At bat Fernandez.
19:40 westbaystars: Fernandez absolutely killed the opposition with runners in scoring position in the playoffs.
19:41 Martin: Do you think Akada will steal?
19:41 westbaystars: Hey, Stevie. An hour earlier than I expected.
19:41 Martin: Too much risk?
19:41 westbaystars: Fernandez lifts the ball to right field.
19:41 westbaystars: And easy fly for Kuramoto.
19:41 Martin: Error? Yes!
19:41 westbaystars: But he drops it!
19:42 westbaystars: One run is in!
19:42 westbaystars: Akada heads to third!
19:42 westbaystars: Ochiai comes out to talk with Kawakami and the infield while Kuramoto looks nervous in right.
19:43 westbaystars: The ball hit the base of his glove and bounced out.
19:43 Martin: At bat Cabrera!
19:43 westbaystars: Unbelievable!
19:43 westbaystars: Yes, Cabrera up next.
19:43 westbaystars: Runners at first and third, two outs.
19:43 Martin: He will never forget that mistake!
19:43 westbaystars: The Lions are now leading 2-0 on the error.
19:44 westbaystars: Kawakami's hat is annoying me more than anything.
19:44 westbaystars: He wears it with the brim slightly off center to his right.
19:45 westbaystars: Cabrera breaks his bat right above his hands on the handle.
19:45 westbaystars: Foul ball.
19:45 MHtrStevie: Good morning... looks like I showed up at an exciting moment...
19:45 Martin: Maybe Cabrera can hit it in the right position!
19:45 westbaystars: Cabu gets another bat and comes set.
19:45 Martin: You came just in time.
19:46 westbaystars: Cabu lifts the ball high to the right side.
19:46 westbaystars: Araki calls off Linares and Kuramoto.
19:47 MHtrStevie: Is there a good streaming audio site for this game?
19:47 westbaystars: And he makes the catch in foul territory.
19:47 westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:47 westbaystars: But not before a very costly error surrendered a run.
19:47 westbaystars: The Lions now lead 2-0.
19:47 westbaystars: ---
19:47 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fifth
19:48 westbaystars: ---
19:48 Martin: I'm listening to yahoo.co.jp radio.
19:48 Martin: Via the chat session.
19:48 westbaystars: The link to there is in the "Ask the Commish" section.
19:49 westbaystars: Linares leads off grounding the ball back to Ishii.
19:49 westbaystars: Ishii fails to field the ball the first time, bare hands the ball the second time, and misses Cabrera at first.
19:49 westbaystars: E-1.
19:49 Martin: Base hit?
19:49 westbaystars: That's the second Dragon to reach base on an error.
19:50 westbaystars: As Ishii continues to throw a no hitter.
19:50 westbaystars: Watanabe follows.
19:52 westbaystars: Watanabe strikes out swinging on a 2-2 pitch up in the strike zone.
19:52 westbaystars: One out, runner still at first.
19:52 Martin: He strikes out again.
19:52 westbaystars: That brings up Tanishige.
19:52 Martin: Haha, you wish it was big!
19:53 westbaystars: Don't feed the trolls.
19:53 bigdick: oh hey. actually crowlema
19:54 westbaystars: Tanishige hit the ball at the plate.
19:54 westbaystars: Tanishige thought it was foul.
19:54 westbaystars: But Noda played the ball, threw to second for one,
19:54 westbaystars: the relay to first was in time, double play.
19:54 westbaystars: And Ochiai is arguing the fair call.
19:55 westbaystars: Nonetheless, at the end of five complete, the Lions lead 2-0.
19:55 westbaystars: ---
19:55 westbaystars: --- Top of Sixth
19:55 westbaystars: ---
19:56 Martin: Cabrera will lead off again. Time for a base hit now!
19:56 Martin: My mistake, Wada.
19:57 westbaystars: Crowlema-san. The build of IE 6.0 you're using (1.0.3705) has serious stability issues.
19:57 westbaystars: I'd recommend http://www.mozilla.org/
19:57 westbaystars: And downloading FireFox and switching to it.
19:57 Martin: Wada had a triple and a hr his previous at bat.
19:57 crowlema: i dont even know what you mean. get off?
19:57 westbaystars: The dome camera of the play showed that the umpire made the right call.
19:58 westbaystars: The ball was hit just in front of home plate, in fair territory.
19:59 westbaystars: The browser you're using is seriously flawed. FireFox won't keep failing on you, requiring you to keep loggin in.
19:59 westbaystars: Ochiai is protesting the game.
19:59 crowlema: wakata
20:00 westbaystars: He's pulled his players off the field.
20:00 Martin: Oh, no!
20:01 Martin: That will take some time now.
20:01 westbaystars: He sent Linares out to second base.
20:02 westbaystars: Now the umpires are talking with Itoh-kantoku, and he looks heated.
20:02 Martin: Linares?
20:02 westbaystars: The umpire made the right call the first time.
20:02 westbaystars: Was it Alex at second?
20:02 Martin: Hurry up and play, I have to leave in 30 minutes!
20:03 westbaystars: It looks like they've reversed the call.
20:03 Martin: No it was Linares, but I thought Linares would play 2B.
20:03 westbaystars: Well, not, because noone was at second.
20:03 westbaystars: Oh, I think I get it.
20:03 Martin: Impossible!
20:04 westbaystars: The're saying that Tanishige kicked the ball, so he was out.
20:04 westbaystars: The play at second needed a tag.
20:04 Martin: OK
20:04 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku isn't accepting this explanation.
20:05 westbaystars: The home plate umpire only showed that the ball was in play.
20:05 westbaystars: He made no indication that the batter was out.
20:06 westbaystars: The over-head camera shows that the ball was fair.
20:06 westbaystars: But I can't tell if Tanishige kicked it or not.
20:06 westbaystars: It was picked up right after he passed, so if he did, it was the lightest of brushes.
20:07 westbaystars: Linares is the only player on the field right now, standing on second.
20:07 westbaystars: The umpire crew are all waiting for Itoh-kantoku to send his players back out.
20:08 westbaystars: But Itoh-kantoku continues explaining the rules to the umpires.
20:08 westbaystars: Linares is returning to the first base dugout, feeling silly out there by himself.
20:08 MHtrStevie: Why would Linares be at second in this case?
20:08 westbaystars: He's ready to take the field.
20:08 westbaystars: He was at first.
20:09 westbaystars: Tanishige would be out for interfering with the ball.
20:09 MHtrStevie: IF Tanishige kicked the ball, that is...
20:09 westbaystars: The throw to second would have required a tag.
20:10 westbaystars: Is the ball dead there? And the runner must return?
20:10 westbaystars: The dugout report says that Itoh-kantoku is asking the umpires to ask Tanishige if he kicked the ball or not.
20:10 westbaystars: He did run all the way to first.
20:11 westbaystars: The umpire announced that Itoh-kantoku is still arguing the play, please wait.
20:13 westbaystars: I'm going upstairs to tuck in the kids. Will be back soon. Probably before this is resolved.
20:14 MHtrStevie: How would kicking the ball be considered different than, say, grounding out in a hit-and-run play?
20:15 MHtrStevie: Grounding to short with a hit-and-run on would still allow the 6-4-3 DP to happen, right?
20:15 westbaystars: What happens if the runner at first is hit by the ball on his way to second?
20:16 westbaystars: It's the same as that situation.
20:16 westbaystars: The runner is out.
20:16 westbaystars: The batter must still beat a throw to first, if I recall correctly.
20:17 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku is still refusing to send his players out.
20:17 MHtrStevie: The only difference I could see is that first is *always* a force play, right?
20:17 westbaystars: This is now the second longest delay in play for the Nippon Series in history.
20:17 westbaystars: Right.
20:18 MHtrStevie: I mean, if Linares was hit it's not like Tanishige could return home...
20:18 westbaystars: Exactly.
20:18 MHtrStevie: Would they consider Linares being hit by the ball a "tag" in that case?
20:18 westbaystars: So, what happens when the batter bunts the ball up the first base line and kicks it?
20:19 westbaystars: Yes, I believe that that's how the rules consider it.
20:19 MHtrStevie: That's what I'm thinking about...
20:19 westbaystars: But I'm not a rules expert.
20:19 MHtrStevie: So that way Tanishige is "tagged" out...
20:20 westbaystars: Right. Now we just need someone familiar with the rule book.
20:20 MHtrStevie: Would that mean Linares, between 1st and 2nd, would be caught in a rundown essentially?
20:20 westbaystars: If the home plate umpire had called Tanishige out at the time, yes.
20:21 westbaystars: But the throw to second had the covering player step on the bag and throw to first to complete the double play.
20:21 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku is relaxing in his chair.
20:22 MHtrStevie: Right... if Tanishige is considered "tagged out", then the DP chance goes away, right?
20:22 westbaystars: Radio announcers have already commented that this wouldn't happen in MLB.
20:22 westbaystars: What the umpires say goes over there.
20:22 MHtrStevie: The force at second would only exist with a force at first coming behind it, right?
20:22 westbaystars: But the Japanese umpires don't get any respect.
20:23 MHtrStevie: This is true... I remember Bob Whiting talking about this umpire initimidation...
20:25 MHtrStevie: Here's a weird but valid question...
20:25 MHtrStevie: We all know the 6-4-3 DP... has there ever been a 6-3-4 DP without a tag involved?
20:27 westbaystars: I can't think of how it would happen without a tag.
20:27 westbaystars: Unless the second baseman was covering first.
20:28 MHtrStevie: Yeah, the problem here was that the hope plate umpire didn't call Tanishige out...
20:28 westbaystars: Oh, a line drive to third, he threw to first, but didn't get the runner going back, but the throw to second got the ...
20:28 westbaystars: ... runner off the bag there.
20:28 MHtrStevie: home plate ump... sorry... =)
20:28 westbaystars: Not like this situation, though.
20:28 westbaystars: Ochiai and Itoh are meeting in the middle with the umpires to decide what to do.
20:29 westbaystars: Right, I think that that's the basic part of the problem.
20:29 MHtrStevie: If the ump had called Tanishige out, the Lions would have played the ball differently, probably...
20:29 westbaystars: The fielders reacted according to the home plate umpire's call.
20:30 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku is quietly listening. Itoh-kantoku is adamately protesting.
20:30 westbaystars: He looks like a kid with everyone ganging up on him.
20:30 westbaystars: Ochiai is whistling to himself. This is funny.
20:31 MHtrStevie: Sounds like a strange spectacle... =)
20:31 westbaystars: Ah! I just saw the replay again.
20:32 westbaystars: The umpire is calling the ball fair, Noda fields the ball, comes up with the ball near Tanishige, but doesn't touch him.
20:32 westbaystars: As Noda is throwing to second, the home plate umpire *does* call Tanishige out.
20:32 westbaystars: I think he thought Noda touched him. But Noda knew he didn't.
20:33 MHtrStevie: Ooooh... there's the difference...
20:33 Martin: So they had to tag at second!
20:33 westbaystars: Funny how you can see a little more each time they play that.
20:33 westbaystars: So they had to tag the runner at second. Exactly.
20:34 MHtrStevie: Was the ball ever near enough to Tanishige for him to possibly kick it?
20:34 westbaystars: We've passed 40 minutes on the delay.
20:34 Martin: How long can this take?
20:34 westbaystars: The ball was near the corner of the plate in the front on the first base side.
20:34 westbaystars: A right handed batter, Tanishige ran over the ball.
20:35 westbaystars: But I think the umpire thought Noda touched him as he picked up the ball.
20:35 MHtrStevie: Hmmm... who was claiming Tanishige kicked the ball, then?
20:36 westbaystars: The Commissioner is at a door onto the field.
20:36 Martin: If the ump called Tanishige out, they should have tagged at 2nd. Play ball!
20:36 westbaystars: He's not doing anything after the umpire talked with him, though.
20:36 westbaystars: He's just looking on.
20:37 MHtrStevie: Exactly... and surely, the home plate ump has already said why he called Tanishige out.
20:37 westbaystars: That was a guess as to why Tanishige was out. There hasn't been an official announcement as to why the umpire ...
20:37 westbaystars: ... thought Tanishige was out.
20:37 westbaystars: The home plate umpire is now explaining everything.
20:38 MHtrStevie: If it was a "tag" by Noda, then I guess it's Itoh-kantoku's argument now that Noda didn't tag him...
20:38 westbaystars: He says that he called Tanishige out being tagged out by Noda.
20:38 Martin: Ok, 2 outs, runner at 2nd.
20:38 westbaystars: The play at second was a tag play, which was not executed.
20:38 westbaystars: So Linares returns to second.
20:38 MHtrStevie: Probably why Ochiai-kantoku is being so "casual" right now... =)
20:38 westbaystars: Play will continue with two outs and Linares at second.
20:39 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku heatedly headed to the showers the last they showed the third base dugout.
20:39 westbaystars: Ah, he's back on the bench.
20:39 westbaystars: Linares grabs a helmet and heads back out.
20:39 westbaystars: He's the only player on the field.
20:39 Martin: I have to go now, play a tennis tournament. See you later. Go Lions!
20:39 westbaystars: The Lions aren't leaving the dugout.
20:40 westbaystars: Have a good time, Martin.
20:40 westbaystars: We might still be in delay when you return.
20:40 MHtrStevie: See ya, Martin!
20:40 westbaystars: Linares just stole third! And is laughing at third base.
20:41 westbaystars: The umpire just announced it again, explaining it better this time.
20:41 MHtrStevie: Is he going to steal home? =)
20:42 westbaystars: Somebody in a suit is in the Lions' dugout, and the Lions are now coming out.
20:43 westbaystars: The home plate umpire is now announcing to the crowd that this whole mess was caused by his missed call at first.
20:43 westbaystars: I think that that was the condition Itoh-kantoku would accept to send his players back out.
20:44 westbaystars: ... his missed call about Noda tagging Tanishige.
20:44 MHtrStevie: Yeah, that could be it...
20:45 westbaystars: Ishii is done warming back up.
20:45 MHtrStevie: Itoh-kantoku saves face... he was right to argue because of the ump's mistake...
20:45 westbaystars: We resume with Linares at second, two outs, and Kuramoto (Hidenori) at the plate.
20:46 MHtrStevie: Whew... all right, PLAY BALL!
20:46 westbaystars: The delay was 49 minutes.
20:46 westbaystars: The second longest in Nippon Series history.
20:47 Christopher: At last but Seibu will have to work hard to overcome the egg on their faces over this display
20:47 westbaystars: Wow! And lost of people joining us as play resumes in the bottom of the fifth.
20:47 MHtrStevie: Any idea what was the longest?
20:47 westbaystars: They showed it on TV, but I didn't catch the time.
20:48 westbaystars: I'm sure it'll be in tomorrow's newspapers - front page.
20:48 westbaystars: Ishii's first pitch to Hidenori is fouled off for strike one.
20:49 westbaystars: After taking ballone, Kuramoto lifts the ball to the right side.
20:49 westbaystars: Noda has a longer run than Cabrera, but makes the catch if foul territory.
20:49 westbaystars: Three outs.
20:49 westbaystars: For sure this time.
20:50 westbaystars: So, once again, at the end of five complete, the Lions lead 2-0.
20:50 westbaystars: ---
20:50 westbaystars: --- Top of Sixth
20:50 westbaystars: ---
20:50 MHtrStevie: Heh heh...
20:51 westbaystars: Ishii gave a big "guts pose" on that out, looking as mad as he can look.
20:52 westbaystars: Wada leads off the sixth for the Lions.
20:52 westbaystars: He hit a triple in the second, then a home run in the fourth.
20:52 westbaystars: That broke a 0 for 17 stroke in Nippon Series play lifetime.
20:53 westbaystars: Ball count runs to two strikes, one ball.
20:54 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is fouled off to the right side and into the stands.
20:54 westbaystars: Kawakami misses outside with the next pitch, two and two.
20:54 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is reached for and pulled to the left side.
20:54 westbaystars: Ibata fields the ball, throws a short hopper to first.
20:55 westbaystars: Linares scoops the ball well, one out.
20:55 westbaystars: That brings up Nakajima.
20:55 westbaystars: Umpire calls strike two up awfully high.
20:56 westbaystars: The third pitch misses outside, called accordingly. Two strikes, one ball.
20:56 westbaystars: The next pitch is swung on and missed, a slow curve. Strike three.
20:56 westbaystars: Nakajima was way out in front of the pitch.
20:56 westbaystars: Two outs.
20:56 westbaystars: That brings up Noda.
20:57 westbaystars: Noda lines the ball back to Kawakami on the mound.
20:57 westbaystars: Nobody's sure if he caught it on a bound or directly, but the throw to first decides it.
20:57 westbaystars: The Lions are retired in order in the sixth.
20:58 westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the sixth, the Lions continue to lead 2-0.
20:58 westbaystars: ---
20:58 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Sixth
20:58 westbaystars: ---
20:59 westbaystars: Kawakami will bat for himself to lead off the sixth.
20:59 westbaystars: Ishii still has a no-hitter going, the only two Dragons reaching so far on errors.
21:00 westbaystars: The 1-1 pitch to Kawakami looked pretty good, called ball two by the umpire.
21:00 westbaystars: Ishii looked a little disturbed by the call.
21:00 Christopher: Can he continue it or will he be changed?
21:00 westbaystars: A foul ball later, Kawakami is called out on a pitch on the inside corner.
21:00 westbaystars: One out.
21:01 westbaystars: Ishii is throwing pretty well.
21:01 westbaystars: But the radio announcer just said that one of the errors was an infield hit.
21:01 westbaystars: I wish they'd show the scoreboard for confirmation now.
21:02 westbaystars: Nonetheless, Araki stands in.
21:02 westbaystars: He lifts a pitch to shallow right.
21:02 westbaystars: Takagi goes back and calls the ball.
21:02 westbaystars: But Satoh calls louder, getting Takagi to duck just in time to Satoh to make the catch.
21:02 westbaystars: That was dangerous.
21:02 westbaystars: But the second out nonetheless.
21:03 westbaystars: Ibata takes strike one on the inside corner.
21:03 westbaystars: Ishii's second pitch is a slow curve, inside. One and one.
21:03 westbaystars: The third pitch misses low.
21:04 westbaystars: Ibata lifts the fourth pitch into the crowd on the left side and foul.
21:04 westbaystars: The fifth pitch misses outside. Full count.
21:04 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is grounded up the first base line.
21:05 westbaystars: Cabrera snags the ball on the foul side of the first base line, after the ball travels over the first base bag - fair.
21:05 westbaystars: Cabu takes the ball to the bag himself, and the Dragons are down in order yet again.
21:05 westbaystars: At the end of six complete, the Lions continue to lead 2-0.
21:05 westbaystars: ---
21:05 westbaystars: --- Top of Seventh
21:05 westbaystars: ---
21:06 westbaystars: Kawakami is still on the mound for Chunichi.
21:06 westbaystars: Takagi leads off the Lions' Lucky Seven taking ball one.
21:07 westbaystars: The next pitch is called strike one in the upper part of the strike zone.
21:07 westbaystars: Takagi then grounds the ball to the right side.
21:07 westbaystars: Linares fields the ball, then blocks the line and touches Takagi out.
21:08 westbaystars: One down.
21:08 westbaystars: Ishii bats for himself, with a big smile in the batter's box.
21:08 westbaystars: Standing as far away from the plate as he can.
21:08 westbaystars: He watches two strikes go by.
21:08 westbaystars: The third pitch is low and away, no way he was swinging at that.
21:09 westbaystars: The next pitch is a little high, but called strike three to Ishii's great relief.
21:09 westbaystars: Two outs.
21:09 westbaystars: Ishii looked like he wanted to hit in the second with runners on.
21:09 westbaystars: That brings us to the top of the Lions' order in Satoh.
21:09 westbaystars: For the fourth time through.
21:10 westbaystars: Satoh fouls a pitch off his own leg to bring the count to two strikes, one ball.
21:10 westbaystars: That was Kawakami's 101st pitch.
21:10 westbaystars: The next pitch is lifted deep to right.
21:10 westbaystars: Hidenori goes back a couple of steps, and makes the catch.
21:11 westbaystars: he held on this time, and the side is retired.
21:11 westbaystars: The score remains Lions 2 - 0 Dragons.
21:11 westbaystars: ---
21:11 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Seventh
21:11 westbaystars: ---
21:12 westbaystars: It's the Dragons' Lucky Seven.
21:13 westbaystars: Tatsunami swings at the first pitch and flies out to Akada in straight away center.
21:13 westbaystars: One pitch, one out.
21:13 westbaystars: That brings up Alex.
21:14 westbaystars: He takes strike one low.
21:14 westbaystars: The next pitch is lower, one and one.
21:14 westbaystars: Ishii throws low and away, Alex isn't chasing.
21:15 westbaystars: The next pitch is high, ball three.
21:15 westbaystars: The next pitch is down the pipe! Taken to bring the count full.
21:16 westbaystars: A foul ball later, Alex strokes the ball to left, one bound, hit!
21:16 westbaystars: That's the Dragons' first hit of the game, according to my reconing.
21:16 westbaystars: Linares follows.
21:17 westbaystars: During the season, Ishii threw as many as 110 pitches in a game.
21:17 westbaystars: Linares grounds the ball to Takagi at second.
21:18 westbaystars: He throws to second for one, the relay to first is in time, double play.
21:18 westbaystars: The Dragons got their first hit of the game, but are retired in three.
21:18 westbaystars: At the end of seven complete, Seibu continues to lead 2-0.
21:18 westbaystars: ---
21:18 westbaystars: --- Top of Eighth
21:18 westbaystars: ---
21:20 westbaystars: Okamoto comes in to pitch for the Dragons.
21:20 westbaystars: He's been the Dragons' set-upper all season.
21:20 westbaystars: Had 63 appearances over the season.
21:21 westbaystars: He faces number two batter Akada to start.
21:21 westbaystars: Okamoto's first pitch is up and away, ball one.
21:22 westbaystars: The next pitch misses low, ball two.
21:22 westbaystars: Akada squares and takes ball three high.
21:22 westbaystars: Fernandez swings the bat on deck.
21:22 westbaystars: The next pitch is taken outside, ball four on four pitches.
21:23 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku stands up in the third base dugout and sends some signs to the third base coach.
21:23 westbaystars: With Fernandez up, what's on?
21:23 westbaystars: The first pitch just hangs on the outside corner for strike one.
21:24 westbaystars: Fernandez drove in a run last time up when Hidenori dropped the ball in right.
21:24 westbaystars: After a pick-off attempt, Okamoto misses outside, one and one.
21:25 westbaystars: Another throw to first.
21:25 westbaystars: The throw to the plate in the dirt. Blocked well by Tanishige.
21:26 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is swung on and missed on the inside part of the plate.
21:26 westbaystars: Two and two.
21:26 westbaystars: Fernandez fouls the next pitch off into the stands on the right side.
21:26 westbaystars: Nobody out, runner at first.
21:27 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is called strike three.
21:27 westbaystars: Fernandez argues that the pitch was high.
21:27 westbaystars: It was, but not as high as he appealed.
21:27 westbaystars: One out, runner still at first.
21:28 westbaystars: Cabrera at the plate.
21:28 westbaystars: Cabu has fouled out at least twice so far, maybe three times.
21:30 westbaystars: He's into fair territory this time, grounding the ball through the left side of the infield for a base hit.
21:30 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with one out and Wada coming to the plate.
21:31 westbaystars: Wada hit a triple and solo home run his first two at bats tonight.
21:31 westbaystars: Wada grounds the ball to the right side.
21:32 westbaystars: Araki fields the ball, collides with Cabrera and falls to the ground.
21:32 westbaystars: Hey!
21:32 westbaystars: He ran into Cabrera to get interference called!
21:33 westbaystars: The batter is called out for interference by Cabrera, but Cabu didn't do it!
21:33 westbaystars: Araki dove into Cabrera!
21:33 Christopher: The replay showed a bit of nastiness - Cabrera took him out as he went to tag
21:33 westbaystars: That's low!
21:33 westbaystars: It looked the other way around to me.
21:34 westbaystars: Cabrera was slowing down to take the tag, and Araki dove into him.
21:34 westbaystars: ---
21:34 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Eighth
21:34 westbaystars: ---
21:34 Christopher: They showed another angle - Cabrera took him with an elbow.
21:34 westbaystars: Onodera comes in to throw for Seibu.
21:35 westbaystars: OK. I'll accept that. Especially considering Araki looked like he was looking for loose teeth.
21:36 westbaystars: Watanabe stands in and takes outside for ball one, Onodera's first pitch of the game.
21:37 westbaystars: Watanabe grounds out to Takagi at second. One out.
21:37 westbaystars: That brings up Tanishige again.
21:37 westbaystars: Gee, it seems like a long time since he was up.
21:38 MHtrStevie: All right, I have to head out... wish we didn't have that long delay earlier...
21:38 MHtrStevie: See you tomorrow for Game 2!
21:38 westbaystars: It's been quick before and after.
21:39 westbaystars: Tanishige lifts the ball to the right side.
21:39 westbaystars: Cabrera calls off Takagi, and makes the catch.
21:39 westbaystars: Two outs.
21:39 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku calls the home plate umpire over, and announces Mori as a pinch hitter for right fielder Hidenori.
21:40 westbaystars: Mori takes ball one, and the third base umpire says he didn't s wing.
21:40 westbaystars: The next pitch is fouled off behind the back net. One and one.
21:41 westbaystars: The third pitch is taken low. One strike, two balls. Two down.
21:41 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is in the dirt for ball three.
21:42 westbaystars: The next pitch misses inside and low, ball four.
21:42 westbaystars: And Morino comes on to pinch hit for Okamoto.
21:44 westbaystars: Morino lifts the ball to shallow right.
21:44 westbaystars: Satoh calls the ball running in, and makes the catch.
21:44 westbaystars: The Dragons managed to get a base runner, but home remains a long way away.
21:45 westbaystars: At the end of eight complete, the Lions continue to lead 2-0.
21:45 westbaystars: ---
21:45 westbaystars: --- Top of Nineth
21:45 westbaystars: ---
21:46 westbaystars: In to pitch for the Dragons is Iwase.
21:46 westbaystars: 2.80 ERA in 60 games this season.
21:46 westbaystars: 2 and 3 with 22 saves.
21:47 westbaystars: The first batter he'll face is Nakajima.
21:48 westbaystars: Nakajima is swinging big, missing Iwase's first pitch for strike one.
21:48 westbaystars: The second pitch is in the dirt inside and goes all the way to the back stop.
21:48 westbaystars: Nakajima fouls off the third pitch the other way into the stands on the first base side.
21:49 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku still looks upset in the third base dugout.
21:49 westbaystars: And Nakajima takes high, two and two.
21:49 westbaystars: The next pitch misses high, full count.
21:49 Christopher: Why?
21:50 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is bounced off of Ibata's chest. He can't recover in time, E-6.
21:50 westbaystars: Why is Itoh-kantoku still upset? That earlier delay is my guess.
21:50 westbaystars: With nobody out and a runner at first, Noda shows bunt, but the pitch goes to first.
21:51 westbaystars: The first pitch is bunted in front of the dugout.
21:51 Christopher: Seibu look set to win this match comfortably but I found their attitude left a bad taste in the mouth.
21:52 westbaystars: Tanishige is out of there quickly, holding Noda up from running.
21:52 westbaystars: He throws to second, but the ball is called foul.
21:52 westbaystars: Looked awfully fair to me.
21:52 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku gives a laugh, but isn't complaining.
21:53 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku has a better attitude than Itoh-kantoku.
21:53 westbaystars: Noda fails to bunt twice more and is called out.
21:54 westbaystars: That brings up Takagi with a runner still at first and one out.
21:54 westbaystars: Takagi squares and takes ball one on the first pitch.
21:55 westbaystars: Similar on the next pitch, squres to bunt, takes ball two outside.
21:55 westbaystars: And the third pitch is taken from the squared position for ball three.
21:56 westbaystars: Iwase is having trouble pitching to the left handed Takagi.
21:56 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is up and away, Takagi walks on four pitches.
21:56 westbaystars: Pinch hitting for the pitcher Onodera is Hirao.
21:57 westbaystars: With runners at first and second and one out.
21:57 westbaystars: Hirao is swinging, fouling the first pitch off to the right side.
21:57 westbaystars: Iwase's second pitch is down the middle, swung on and missed. Strike two.
21:58 westbaystars: The left handed Iwase seems to throw better to right handed batters.
21:58 westbaystars: Waste pitch outside, ball one.
21:58 westbaystars: The next pitch is in the dirt, taken for ball two. Two and two.
21:59 westbaystars: The next pitch misses outside, ball three. Full count.
21:59 westbaystars: Iwase has thrown 6 strikes and 12 balls so far this inning.
22:00 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is grounded to the right side.
22:00 westbaystars: Linares rushes in and fields the ball on a short hop.
22:00 westbaystars: He takes the ball to the first base bag for the force.
22:00 westbaystars: The runners move up.
22:00 westbaystars: Two outs, runners now at second and third.
22:00 westbaystars: The top of the Lions' order in Satoh at the plate.
22:01 westbaystars: Hi, Habs-san. We're in the top of the 10th. Lions lead 2-0.
22:02 westbaystars: It's been a fast game with the exception of a 50 minute argument delay.
22:02 westbaystars: (49 minutes officially.)
22:02 westbaystars: Satoh grounds the ball to the right side.
22:02 westbaystars: Araki fields the ball, throws to first, and the Lions are retired.
22:02 westbaystars: The Dragons are down to their final three outs in Game 1.
22:03 westbaystars: Going to the last of the nineth, they trail 0-2.
22:03 habs: morning.
22:03 westbaystars: ---
22:03 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Nineth
22:03 westbaystars: ---
22:04 westbaystars: Toyoda takes the mound to close for the Lions.
22:04 westbaystars: He was a bit shaky in both stages of the playoffs.
22:04 westbaystars: He had a 0.98 ERA during the regular season.
22:05 habs: There was a picture of the Itoh being held up by his players in our local paper.
22:05 westbaystars: Ah, thrown in the air. "Doage."
22:06 westbaystars: Araki leads off against Toyoda.
22:06 westbaystars: Toyoda's first pitch is swung on and missed, strike one.
22:07 westbaystars: Araki grounds the ball back to Toyoda.
22:07 westbaystars: Toyoda throws the ball to first, one out.
22:08 westbaystars: Ibata follows.
22:09 westbaystars: The count goes even, two and two.
22:09 westbaystars: Ibata fails to check his swing at the fifth pitch inside, strike three!
22:10 westbaystars: The Dragons are down to their last out.
22:10 westbaystars: Tatsunami stands in, and takes ball one from Toyoda.
22:10 westbaystars: The next pitch is lifted deep to center.
22:10 westbaystars: Akada goes back, at the warning track,
22:10 westbaystars: makes the catch!
22:10 westbaystars: Shiai shuryo.
22:11 westbaystars: Game over.
22:11 westbaystars: The silence in the stands is haunting as the Lions give each other high fives.
22:11 westbaystars: Starting pitcher Ishii has a big smile on his face.
22:11 habs: What was the arguement about?
22:11 Christopher: This game will be remembered for the 50 minute sulk
22:12 westbaystars: Basically, the ball was hit in front of the plate.
22:12 westbaystars: Seibu's catcher Noda picked up the ball, faked a tag of Tanishige,
22:12 westbaystars: ... then threw to second base for the force on the runner.
22:13 westbaystars: The relay to first was in time, the side was retired.
22:13 westbaystars: But ---
22:13 westbaystars: The home plate umpire thought that the catcher tagged out Tanishige.
22:13 westbaystars: That meant that the play at second was a touch play.
22:13 westbaystars: Because he wasn't tagged out, it wasn't the end of the inning.
22:14 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku (Dragons) pointed that out, and the home plate umpire agreed that the runner should still be at second.
22:14 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku (Lions), on the other hand, refused to accept that, ...
22:14 westbaystars: ... getting out calls at second and first.
22:15 westbaystars: For 49 minutes, Itoh-kantoku refused to allow his players to go back onto the field.
22:15 westbaystars: Finally, he got the umpire to admit that it was his blown call of a tag at the plate that was the cause of the fiasco.
22:15 westbaystars: And after that, his players took the field and play resumed.
22:15 westbaystars: ***
22:16 westbaystars: ***
22:16 westbaystars: *** Game Final
22:16 westbaystars: ***
22:16 westbaystars: *** Seibu Lions 2 - 0 Chunichi Dragons
22:16 westbaystars: ***
22:16 westbaystars: ***
22:16 habs: Not good for the umpire.
22:16 westbaystars: Ishii Takashi is announced as the hero of the game.
22:17 habs: Is there a game tomorrow and at what time?
22:17 Christopher: Is faking a tag legal?
22:17 westbaystars: If you've read Whiting, you'll know how poorly the umpires are treated here.
22:17 westbaystars: Yes, there's a game tomorrow.
22:17 Christopher: Ah yes... I remember
22:18 westbaystars: Yes, faking a tag is legal. He just reached out, couldn't reach the runner, so he threw to second.
22:18 westbaystars: It wasn't really meant to fool anyone.
22:19 westbaystars: Also starting at 6:20 JST, I believe.
22:19 Christopher: I hope so - as a neutral I'm not impressed by Seibu's attitude so far
22:21 westbaystars: I'd like to thank TBS TV for showing the game in its entirety.
22:22 westbaystars: When TV Asahi showed the First Stage, they cut off early on the final game.
22:22 habs: Is tbs turner broadcast?
22:23 westbaystars: No, Tokyo Broadcasting System (Service?).
22:24 Christopher: Is TBS going to show tomorrows game?
22:24 westbaystars: Owners of the Yokohama BayStars.
22:24 westbaystars: I hope so. They did a great job.
22:25 westbaystars: I'll know when I see the newspaper tomorrow morning.
22:25 habs: It's late for you hope to join you tomorrow.
22:25 westbaystars: All games aren't sold to a single network like they are in the U.S.
22:25 Christopher: Many thanks see you tomorrow
22:26 westbaystars: Hope to see you then. But you might want to wake up a little earlier.
22:26 westbaystars: If it weren't for the delay, you'd have missed the whole thing.
22:26 westbaystars: So, see you tomorrow. Take care all.
22:26 habs: Yeah will try.
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Some rights reserved.