2004 Nippon Series: Game 5
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Re: 2004 Nippon Series: Game 5
[ Author: westbaystars | Posted: Oct 22, 2004 10:00 PM
| YBS Fan
]
Chunichi heads home to Nagoya with a 3 games to 2 lead. Kawakami threw 5 2/3rds perfect innings for the Dragons. Read on for the details.
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2004/10/22 21:56
CHATROOM 2004 Nippon Series/Game 5
MODERATORS westbaystars
18:09 westbaystars: Kawakami will be facing Nishiguchi in tonight's matchup.
18:16 westbaystars: Radio announcers think that the game will be decided by how long Nishiguchi goes.
18:16 westbaystars: That'll be the key to Game 5.
18:18 westbaystars: ---
18:18 westbaystars: --- Top of First
18:18 westbaystars: ---
18:20 westbaystars: Nishiguchi climbs the mound to take his warm up pitches.
18:20 westbaystars: Hosokawa starts behind the plate this evening.
18:21 westbaystars: Otherwise, the Seibu defense is the same as always.
18:21 westbaystars: Nishiguchi's first pitch to Araki is driven deep to right.
18:21 westbaystars: Satoh goes over a little, and in front of the warning track, makes the catch.
18:21 westbaystars: One pitch, one out.
18:22 westbaystars: Ibata follows.
18:22 westbaystars: He shows bunt, but takes low.
18:22 westbaystars: Ibata doesn't square around on the second pitch, and takes inside and high.
18:23 westbaystars: After taking strike one, Ibata lines the next pitch into left, to Wada on a bound.
18:23 westbaystars: Base hit.
18:23 westbaystars: Radio commentator says that Nishiguchi isn't his "dynamic" self this evening.
18:24 westbaystars: He gets his first pitch over to Tatsunami for strike one.
18:25 westbaystars: Three balls later Ibata takes off for second.
18:25 westbaystars: The throw beat him, but was too high.
18:26 westbaystars: By the time Nakajima brought the ball down to tag level, Ibata was into second with a stolen base.
18:26 westbaystars: Nishiguchi's fifth offering to Tatsunami misses high and tight, ball four.
18:26 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with number four batting Alex.
18:26 westbaystars: Alex lifts the first pitch up high to the left side.
18:27 westbaystars: This is an infield fly that Fernandez grabs to complete out number two.
18:27 westbaystars: Linares follows.
18:28 westbaystars: But he grounds the ball to the right side.
18:28 westbaystars: Takagi has it, throws to first, and the side is retired.
18:28 westbaystars: The Dragons got a pair of runners and a stolen base, but strand two.
18:29 westbaystars: After half an inning, there is no score.
18:29 westbaystars: ---
18:29 westbaystars: --- Bottom of First
18:29 westbaystars: ---
18:30 westbaystars: Kawakami climbs the mound for the Dragons.
18:30 westbaystars: he got the loss in Game 1, but suffered mainly from lack of run support.
18:31 westbaystars: The first batter he faces is Satoh.
18:31 westbaystars: Kawakami's first pitch is grounded to third.
18:31 westbaystars: Tatsunami throws high to first, saved by Linares!
18:31 westbaystars: One pitch, one out.
18:32 westbaystars: Akada follows.
18:32 westbaystars: With the exception of Hosokawa in for Noda, the starting lineup is the same.
18:32 westbaystars: Akada grounds the ball to the right side.
18:33 westbaystars: Kawakami fields the ball on two hops, charges for Akada, and touches him out before he reaches base.
18:33 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
18:33 westbaystars: That brings up Fernandez.
18:34 westbaystars: Fernandez didn't like the strike two call. No balls.
18:34 westbaystars: The third pitch is in the dirt outside, ball one.
18:34 westbaystars: Changeup outside misses for ball two. Two and two.
18:35 westbaystars: Then Fernandez fails to check his swing on the next pitch and is quite upset with himself.
18:35 westbaystars: The ball being low and away.
18:36 westbaystars: The Lions go down in order in the first. Something that's been very rare this Series.
18:36 westbaystars: Thanks to a double play, the nineth inning last night was the only time yesterday.
18:36 westbaystars: Nonetheless, after one complete, there is no score.
18:36 westbaystars: ---
18:37 westbaystars: --- Top of Second
18:37 westbaystars: ---
18:37 westbaystars: Tanishige leads off the second for the Dragons.
18:39 westbaystars: Tanishige works the count full.
18:39 westbaystars: And he's called out on the full count pitch, over the outside part of the plate, up in the zone.
18:40 westbaystars: Tanishige didn't agree with the call.
18:40 westbaystars: Inoue follows grounding the first pitch to Cabrera behind the first base bag.
18:40 westbaystars: Cabrera walks the ball forward a couple of steps, and we have out number two.
18:40 westbaystars: Ohnishi comes up next.
18:42 westbaystars: Ohnishi fails to hold up on an outside two strike, one ball pitch and heads for the third base dugout.
18:43 westbaystars: The Dragons go down in order in the second.
18:43 westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the second, we remain scoreless.
18:43 westbaystars: ---
18:43 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Second
18:43 westbaystars: ---
18:44 westbaystars: Cabrera leads off the second inning.
18:45 westbaystars: This umpire likes the outside pitch. Cabrera doesn't. Strike one called.
18:46 westbaystars: But Kawakami misses with the next three pitches, all low, two outside as well.
18:46 westbaystars: The umpire isn't calling them.
18:46 westbaystars: The next pitch is inside, swung on and missed. Full count.
18:46 westbaystars: Cabu likes that inside pitch.
18:47 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch waits as Kawakami took too long to deliver.
18:47 westbaystars: Again, the sixth pitch is outside and low, swung on and missed by Cabrera.
18:47 westbaystars: Cabu has been so good this whole Series holding back on those.
18:47 westbaystars: One out.
18:47 westbaystars: Wada to follow.
18:48 westbaystars: He swings at the first pitch, lifting the ball high and deep to right.
18:48 westbaystars: But juding by Inoue, not deep enough.
18:48 westbaystars: Inoue hardly moves, taking the ball in several steps in front of the warning track.
18:48 westbaystars: Two down.
18:48 westbaystars: DH Hirao bats next.
18:49 westbaystars: He's only 1 for 6 (.167) in the Series so far.
18:49 westbaystars: Doesn't Seibu have a more powerful DH?
18:50 westbaystars: The count goes full to Hirao.
18:50 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is lined deep to left.
18:50 westbaystars: If it's fair, it's gone!
18:51 westbaystars: But it well left of the foul pole.
18:51 westbaystars: The next pitch is reached for and dribbled to the right side of the mound.
18:51 westbaystars: Kawakami lunges for the ball, and on his way toward first, tosses underhand to Linares for the out.
18:52 westbaystars: The Lions hit the ball hard, but are down in order.
18:52 westbaystars: At the end of two complete, the game remains scoreless.
18:52 westbaystars: ---
18:52 westbaystars: --- Top of Third
18:52 westbaystars: ---
18:54 westbaystars: Uh, oh. TBS fails to get the first pitch in the third. And after all the nice things I said about them compared to
18:54 westbaystars: ... TV Asahi.
18:54 westbaystars: While still at commercial, Morino grounds out.
18:55 westbaystars: Back to the top of the Dragon order in Araki as the TV returns.
18:55 westbaystars: Araki lines the ball deep to left.
18:55 westbaystars: Wada goes back, on the run,
18:56 westbaystars: The ball hits the fense and bounces back.
18:56 westbaystars: As the throw comes back to Nakajima, Araki keeps going around second and heads for third!
18:56 westbaystars: The throw looks like it got him, but he's called safe!
18:56 westbaystars: One out triple!
18:57 westbaystars: That brings up Ibata.
18:57 westbaystars: It's hard to say if that was agressive base running or foolish base running.
18:57 westbaystars: A bit of both? And Araki got lucky.
18:58 westbaystars: The infield is in.
18:58 westbaystars: Nishiguchi goes one strike, three balls to Ibata.
18:59 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is swung on. Ibata wanted to hold up on the outside pitch, but couldn't.
18:59 westbaystars: Full count.
18:59 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is down the middle, fouled back by Ibata.
19:00 westbaystars: Again with the shoubu pitch, it's grounded to the left side!
19:00 westbaystars: Nakajima throws home, Hosokawa fails to field the short bound! Safe at home!
19:01 westbaystars: Nishiguchi fields the bounce off of Hosokawa's shin guard, and fires to second.
19:01 westbaystars: Ibata is called out at second!
19:02 westbaystars: The run scores on the fielder's choice, 6-2-1-6 on the play at second
19:02 westbaystars: Two down, Tatsunami at the plate.
19:02 westbaystars: Araki looks like he's seriously hurt. He was rolling around for quite a while after the play.
19:03 westbaystars: Third base umpire says Tatsunami failed to hold up, strike three.
19:03 westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:03 westbaystars: But not before an agressive Araki scores the first run of the game.
19:03 westbaystars: The Dragons now lead 1-0 after two and a half.
19:03 westbaystars: ---
19:03 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Third
19:03 westbaystars: ---
19:05 westbaystars: Araki still hasn't come out of the Chunichi dugout.
19:05 westbaystars: Nor has anyone to replace him.
19:07 westbaystars: The crowd is giving a large applause.
19:07 westbaystars: Araki comes out.
19:07 westbaystars: Both Seibu and Chunichi fans are chearing for him.
19:08 westbaystars: He's got a slight limp. I don't know how much longer he's going to last this game.
19:08 westbaystars: Nakajima leads off after the delay.
19:09 westbaystars: Nakajima has hit home runs in each of the last two games.
19:10 westbaystars: *** This just in - Hanshin's owner is also stepping down for money given to Ichiba.
19:10 westbaystars: The count goes full to Nakajima.
19:10 westbaystars: Kawakami's 30th pitch of the game is fouled off to the left side and out of play.
19:11 westbaystars: And he fouls off a couple more.
19:12 westbaystars: Nakajima finally lifts one into fair territory.
19:12 westbaystars: Linares calls for the ball, and makes the catch.
19:12 westbaystars: One out.
19:12 westbaystars: That brings up Hosokawa, doing the catching this evening for Seibu.
19:13 westbaystars: He's 0 for 2 in the Series, mostly coming in defensively late in games.
19:14 westbaystars: Hosokawa grounds an inside pitch to the left side.
19:14 westbaystars: Tatsunami fields the ball, throws to first, and we have two outs.
19:14 westbaystars: Number nine batting Takagi follows.
19:15 westbaystars: Takagi grounds Kawakami's second offering just inside the first base bag.
19:15 westbaystars: But Linares is playing on the line, fields the ball, and takes it to first himself.
19:15 westbaystars: That retires the side in order for the third time in three innings.
19:15 westbaystars: Kawakami's been perfect so far.
19:16 westbaystars: At the end of three complete, the Chunichi Dragons lead 1-0.
19:16 westbaystars: ---
19:16 westbaystars: --- Top of Fourth
19:16 westbaystars: ---
19:17 westbaystars: *** Hanshin "presented" Ichiba with 250,000 yen in their courting of him.
19:18 westbaystars: Alex leads off the Chunichi fourth.
19:19 westbaystars: The first base umpire says he held up on the full count pitch outside.
19:19 westbaystars: And Alex takes first base for a lead-off base runner.
19:19 westbaystars: Next up is Linares.
19:19 MHtrStevie: *** Not exactly the best year for the "old guard", I guess...
19:20 westbaystars: *** Next year really will be a new beginning for Pro Yakyu.
19:21 westbaystars: *** Another broadband company is bidding for Daiei. And Daiei is saying the club isn't for sale!
19:22 westbaystars: Missing on the 2-2 pitch outside, the count runs full to Linares.
19:22 MHtrStevie: *** You mean Daiei is essentally rejecting the Softbank offer?
19:22 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is foulded off.
19:23 westbaystars: *** Funny story that. Softbank made their press statement because they don't know who to make the offer to.
19:23 westbaystars: *** They were hoping the press release would force contact to be made.
19:23 westbaystars: Nishiguchi misses outside, ball four.
19:24 westbaystars: Back to back lead-off walks.
19:24 westbaystars: Runners at first and second, nobody out.
19:24 westbaystars: Ishii gets up the the Lions' bull pen.
19:24 MHtrStevie: *** Is FDH going to stand for Fukuoka Debtor Hawks now?
19:24 westbaystars: Nishiguchi has thrown 56 pitches to 14 batters so far.
19:25 westbaystars: ***
19:25 westbaystars: Tanishige shows bunt, takes ball one outside.
19:25 westbaystars: The second pitch is bunted up the first base side.
19:26 westbaystars: Cabrera makes the play and touches Tanishige as he goes by.
19:26 westbaystars: The sacrifice is successful, runners move to second and third with one out.
19:26 westbaystars: Inoue comes up to bat.
19:27 westbaystars: Inoue is 2 for 8 in the Series, both hits last night.
19:28 westbaystars: Inoue reaches out and bloops the ball over Takagi and into right-center field.
19:28 westbaystars: One run is in.
19:28 westbaystars: Linares rounds third and heads home.
19:28 westbaystars: There's no throw to the plate, he scores!
19:28 westbaystars: Chunichi goes up 3-0.
19:29 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku just sits there on his seat and shakes his head in approval, showing no more emotion than ...
19:29 westbaystars: ... a satisfied smile.
19:29 westbaystars: Inoue held at first on the hit.
19:29 MHtrStevie: Sounds like the Dragons are doing some good baserunning tonight...
19:29 westbaystars: Next up is Ohnishi. Runners at first, one out.
19:30 westbaystars: Araki was a bit reckless last inning, imho. He got lucky.
19:30 westbaystars: But these two runs were pretty safe.
19:31 westbaystars: Ohnishi lifts the ball to the left side in foul territory.
19:31 westbaystars: Fernandez goes out and makes the catch.
19:31 westbaystars: Two outs.
19:31 westbaystars: Number nine batter Morino follows.
19:32 MHtrStevie: He was safe, so he was "aggressive" on the basepaths...
19:32 westbaystars: Nishiguchi's 65th pitch of the evening misses outside to being the count even at 1-1.
19:32 MHtrStevie: If he was out, *then* he would be "reckless"... =)
19:33 westbaystars: Morino watches strike two, the swings and misses for strike three.
19:33 westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:33 westbaystars: But not before the Dragons add two more thanks to a pair of walks, a sacrifice, and a bloop single.
19:34 westbaystars: After three and a half, the Dragons increase their lead to 3-0.
19:34 westbaystars: ---
19:34 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fourth
19:34 westbaystars: ---
19:35 westbaystars: The top of the Lions' order start off the Lions' half of the fourth in Satoh.
19:36 westbaystars: Satoh grounds the ball to the left side.
19:36 westbaystars: Tatsunami comes in and across, fields the ball on one bound, and throws Satoh out.
19:36 westbaystars: One down.
19:37 westbaystars: Akada lifts the ball to shallow left.
19:37 westbaystars: Not a problem for Ohnishi who comes in and makes the catch.
19:37 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
19:38 westbaystars: Fernandez follows.
19:38 westbaystars: He failed to check his swing in the first to strike out, and knew it.
19:38 westbaystars: Kawakami gets ahead of him with two quick strikes here.
19:38 westbaystars: The third pitch misses outside for ball one.
19:39 westbaystars: The fourth pitch drops at the plate and is swung on and missed!
19:39 westbaystars: Strike three.
19:39 westbaystars: The 2004 Sawamura Award winning Kawakami finishes four perfect innings.
19:39 westbaystars: At the end of four complete, the Dragons lead 3-0.
19:39 westbaystars: ---
19:40 westbaystars: --- Top of Fifth
19:40 westbaystars: ---
19:41 westbaystars: The Dragons start with the top of their order in Araki in the fifth.
19:41 westbaystars: This is the Dragons' third time around.
19:42 westbaystars: Araki hit a triple off the left field fense his last at bat.
19:42 westbaystars: He grounds back to Nishiguchi at the mound.
19:42 westbaystars: The ball is off his foot and rolls toward first.
19:42 westbaystars: Nishiguchi chases the ball down, tosses underhand to first, and *just* gets the quick Araki.
19:42 westbaystars: That was a lot closer than it should have been.
19:43 westbaystars: I guess Araki's leg is now fully recovered after the play at the plate.
19:43 westbaystars: Ibata follows.
19:44 westbaystars: Ibata takes ball four high on Nishiguchi's fifth pitch.
19:44 westbaystars: Walks hurt Nishiguchi last inning, and Ibata is a lot faster than Alex and Linares.
19:45 westbaystars: Tatsunami comes up with a runner at first and one out.
19:45 westbaystars: Nishiguchi gets ahead of Tatsunami quickly with two strikes.
19:46 westbaystars: Then he misses low and away for ball one.
19:46 westbaystars: Tatsunami grounds the ball to first.
19:46 westbaystars: Cabrera turns, throws the ball to second to get one.
19:46 westbaystars: The relay back to Cabrera covering first is in time! Double play!
19:47 westbaystars: The Dragons go down in three in the fifth.
19:47 westbaystars: Yet, they continue to lead 3-0.
19:47 westbaystars: ---
19:47 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fifth
19:47 westbaystars: ---
19:48 westbaystars: The announcer says that Seibu down is full tonight.
19:49 westbaystars: There are a number of seats behind home plate that are empty, though.
19:49 westbaystars: The farthest any pitch has thrown a perfect game in the Nippon Series was 7 1/3rd innings.
19:50 westbaystars: Cabrera leads off trying to break it up.
19:50 westbaystars: Cabu pulls the fourth pitch to the left side.
19:50 westbaystars: Ibata fields the ball and throws him out for out number one.
19:51 westbaystars: Wada follows.
19:52 westbaystars: Wada hit a home run off of Kawakami in Game 1.
19:52 westbaystars: But grounds out to Ibata at short here for the second out.
19:53 westbaystars: Hirao comes up next.
19:54 westbaystars: Hirao watches strike three go by on four pitches.
19:55 westbaystars: That retires the Lions in order for the fifth time in five innings.
19:55 westbaystars: After five complete, the scores is Chunichi 3 - 0 Seibu.
19:55 westbaystars: ---
19:55 westbaystars: --- Top of Sixth
19:55 westbaystars: ---
19:58 westbaystars: Alex leads off the sixth inning for the Dragons.
19:59 westbaystars: He lifts a high fly to shallow left.
19:59 westbaystars: Nakajima calls for the ball, and makes the catch.
19:59 westbaystars: One quick out.
19:59 HABS: morning
19:59 westbaystars: Linares follows.
19:59 westbaystars: Glad you could join us this morning/evening.
20:00 HABS: I'll have to leave soon for work.
20:00 westbaystars: There is no game tomorrow, as the schedule was pushed back one day.
20:00 westbaystars: Well, the Dragons currently lead 3-0.
20:00 westbaystars: All runs earned by moving runners around.
20:00 HABS: next game sunday?
20:01 westbaystars: No home runs yet.
20:01 westbaystars: Chunichi's Kawakami has thrown five perfect innings against the Lions.
20:01 westbaystars: Right, next game will be Sunday, same time.
20:01 westbaystars: Linares strikes out swinging.
20:01 westbaystars: Two down.
20:01 westbaystars: That brings up Tanishige.
20:02 westbaystars: Nishiguchi gets Tanishige swinging on four pitches.
20:03 westbaystars: That retires the Dragons in order.
20:03 westbaystars: Nishiguchi looks like he's settled down. At least for the time being.
20:03 westbaystars: ---
20:03 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Sixth
20:03 westbaystars: ---
20:04 westbaystars: The game is going at a much higher pace tonight.
20:04 westbaystars: It seems like we were still in the fourth at 8:00 (JST) last night.
20:04 MHtrStevie: Time for me to get to work... nice job as always!
20:04 westbaystars: Maybe even the third.
20:04 westbaystars: Have a good one.
20:04 westbaystars: See you Sunday, if not later.
20:04 MHtrStevie: See everyone on Sunday for Game 6!
20:05 westbaystars: Nakajima leads off the Lions' half of the sixth.
20:05 westbaystars: We're at the bottom third of the order.
20:06 westbaystars: Kawakami goes even at 2-2 to Nakajima.
20:07 westbaystars: Nakajima fouls the next pitch off to stay alive.
20:07 westbaystars: It took 11 pitches to get Nakajima his first at bat.
20:08 westbaystars: Nakajima holds up on the next pitch accoring to the first base umpire, full count.
20:08 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is grounded just inside the third base line.
20:08 westbaystars: Tatsunami throws from deep behind the third base bag.
20:08 westbaystars: The long hop to first, out!
20:09 westbaystars: Out by less than half a step.
20:09 westbaystars: That was as close as it gets.
20:09 westbaystars: One out, Hosokawa at the plate.
20:10 westbaystars: Fifth pitch is called strike two to bring the count full.
20:10 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is fouled off to the right side.
20:11 westbaystars: Kawakami has had quite a few full counts.
20:11 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is punched through the left side and into left.
20:11 westbaystars: Base hit!
20:11 westbaystars: That breaks up the perfect game after 5 2/3rds.
20:12 westbaystars: Kawakami's 73rd pitch of the game.
20:12 westbaystars: Takagi comes up with a runner at first and one out.
20:13 westbaystars: Kawakami gets two quick strikes on Takagi.
20:13 westbaystars: Third pitch is wasted outside and high.
20:14 westbaystars: Takagi reaches out and fouls off the next pitch. Count remains two strikes, one ball.
20:14 westbaystars: Takagi then fouls one just outside the first base bag.
20:15 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is grounded up the middle.
20:15 westbaystars: It looks like it hit Kawakami's glove, but continued on up the middle.
20:15 westbaystars: Ibata dives behind second base, but the ball keeps on going.
20:15 westbaystars: Back to back base hits!
20:16 westbaystars: Top of the order in Satoh.
20:16 westbaystars: Kawakami's 80th pitch of the night is swung on and missed for strike on.
20:17 westbaystars: Satoh is 9 for 22 so far in the Series.
20:17 westbaystars: The second pitch is fouled off to the right side, strike two.
20:18 westbaystars: Kawakami misses low and away with the third pitch for ball one.
20:18 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is down the middle, swung on and missed a little late by Satoh.
20:18 westbaystars: Strike three.
20:18 HABS: I have to go. Nice job as always see you sunday.
20:18 westbaystars: That brings the out count to two.
20:19 westbaystars: See you Sunday, then. Take care.
20:19 westbaystars: Ozeki comes up to pinch hit for Akada.
20:20 westbaystars: Ozeki swings, going, going, off the top of the fense in right-center!
20:20 westbaystars: One run comes in!
20:20 westbaystars: Takagi comes home. The throw is late, but the block keeps Takagi away!
20:20 westbaystars: Out at the plate!
20:21 westbaystars: The Lions get one back, but that's all.
20:21 westbaystars: At the end of six complete, the Lions finally reach base and home.
20:21 westbaystars: They cut the Dragons' lead to two and now trail 1-3.
20:21 westbaystars: ---
20:21 westbaystars: --- Top of Seventh
20:21 westbaystars: ---
20:23 westbaystars: Replays show that Takagi couldn't get his foot in under Tanishige blocking.
20:23 westbaystars: It was a good call at the plate.
20:23 westbaystars: Ozeki stays in the game in right, Satoh moves to center.
20:23 westbaystars: Inoue leads off the seventh.
20:23 westbaystars: He lifts the ball high to left, but not deep.
20:24 westbaystars: Wada comes over toward the line and makes the catch for out number one.
20:24 westbaystars: Need a recap, Martin?
20:24 westbaystars: Ohnishi follows.
20:25 Martin: I just looked at the score at tbs and wondered what just hapened. Taaged out at the plate!
20:26 westbaystars: Tanishige gets all the credit there for the block. He was safe with the timing.
20:26 westbaystars: Ohnishi goes down on strikes.
20:26 Martin: I have and appointment in 30 minutes, so don't have much time to follow the game.
20:26 westbaystars: Swinging at a ball in the dirt.
20:26 westbaystars: Well, good to have you while you do.
20:27 westbaystars: That was Nishiguchi's 100th pitch of the game.
20:27 westbaystars: Next up is Morino.
20:28 westbaystars: Count runs to two and two.
20:28 westbaystars: And Nishiguchi misses in the dirt at Morino's feet with the fifth pitch, full count.
20:28 westbaystars: Morino then takes first on the next pitch way up high.
20:29 westbaystars: Araki-pitching coach heads out to the mound.
20:29 westbaystars: I think Nishiguchi is tiring.
20:29 westbaystars: Araki hears what he needs to and heads back to the dugout.
20:29 westbaystars: Both barrels are up in the Seibu bull pen.
20:30 westbaystars: Araki (no relation to Seibu's pitching coach) comes up next with two down and a runner at first.
20:30 westbaystars: Araki started the scoring in the third with a triple off the fense in left then scoring on a grounder to short.
20:31 westbaystars: He'd have been out if Hosokawa had fielded the ball properly.
20:31 westbaystars: Nishiguchi falls behind Araki one strike, three balls.
20:31 westbaystars: He's looking tired.
20:32 westbaystars: The fifth pitch catches the outside part of the plate, full count.
20:32 westbaystars: Araki then holds up on the next pitch to take first base.
20:32 westbaystars: And Nishiguchi has had it.
20:34 westbaystars: Osada is announced as the second Seibu pitcher on the night.
20:34 westbaystars: The other two Dragon runs came in the fourth after Alex and Linares walked, were sacrificed to second and third, ...
20:35 westbaystars: ... then driven in by Inoue.
20:35 westbaystars: Those two walks came back to haunt Nishiguchi.
20:35 westbaystars: Let's see what happens with these two two out walks.
20:36 westbaystars: Ibata stands in.
20:36 westbaystars: Odada's first pitch of the game is a one bounder for ball one.
20:37 westbaystars: The stands look odd with all of the blue balloons ready for release.
20:37 westbaystars: At Koshien, it's all colors of the rainbow.
20:37 westbaystars: Here it looks like a blue mist.
20:38 westbaystars: Osada works slowly, but manages to even the count at 2-2.
20:38 westbaystars: The fifth pitch misses low, full count.
20:39 westbaystars: The next pitch is reached for and lined into the stands on up the right field line.
20:40 westbaystars: The second full count pitch is grounded to Fernandez at third.
20:40 westbaystars: Fernandez out runs the runner to third, and the side is retired.
20:41 westbaystars: The Dragons knock out Nishiguchi, but come up empty.
20:41 westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the seventh, the Dragons continue to lead 3-1.
20:41 westbaystars: ---
20:41 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Seventh
20:41 westbaystars: ---
20:43 westbaystars: Seibu's clean up leads off the seventh, Fernandez, Cabrera, and Wada.
20:44 westbaystars: Fernandez doesn't like the strike two call, but it looked over the plate from here.
20:44 westbaystars: Two strikes, one ball.
20:44 westbaystars: The fourth pitch misses low and away, two and two.
20:45 westbaystars: This time Kawakami appeals for a called strike, although it was outside. Good call, ump.
20:45 westbaystars: But Fernandez swings and misses the full count pitch, down the middle!
20:46 westbaystars: The only place Fernandez doesn't expect it?
20:46 westbaystars: One out.
20:46 westbaystars: That brings up Cabrera.
20:46 westbaystars: He's struck out and grounded to second so far tonight.
20:48 westbaystars: Taking strike two down the middle, the count evens at two and up.
20:48 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is called strike three on the outside corner.
20:48 westbaystars: Back to back strike outs.
20:48 westbaystars: Kawakami has thrown 95 pitches so far.
20:48 westbaystars: And next up is Wada.
20:49 westbaystars: Kawakami misses with his first two pitches to Wada.
20:50 westbaystars: The third pitch is down the middle, fouled back.
20:50 westbaystars: The next pitch is lined to the left-center gap!
20:51 westbaystars: The ball hits in the warning track and is off the fense on a bound.
20:51 westbaystars: The ball is played, thrown to second, and Wada is sliding in safely just ahead of the throw.
20:51 westbaystars: Two out double.
20:52 westbaystars: Hirao, the designated hitter, comes up next.
20:52 westbaystars: Kawakami's 100th pitch of the game is taken for strike one.
20:52 westbaystars: The Dragons' bull pen has activity.
20:52 westbaystars: Hirao is 1 for 8 in the Series. Not what I'd call very good for a designated hitter.
20:53 westbaystars: After taking ball one, Hirao fails to hold up on the next pitch, strike two.
20:54 westbaystars: Kawakami misses outside and low for ball two, two and two.
20:54 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded through the left side, base hit!
20:54 westbaystars: Wada starts around third, but is held up by the third base coach!
20:55 westbaystars: The throw is off line, he'd have had it. But they were playing it safe.
20:55 westbaystars: Mori-pitching coach heads out to the mound to talk with Kawakami.
20:55 westbaystars: Kawakami shakes his head "yes" to everything he says.
20:56 westbaystars: And Mori-coach heads back to the dugout.
20:56 westbaystars: Nakajima follows with runners at first and third and two outs.
20:56 westbaystars: He swings at the first pitch, pulling the inside pitch to the left side.
20:57 westbaystars: Ibata fields the ball, throw to second for the force, and the side is retired.
20:57 westbaystars: The Lions put up a two out battle, but still came up empty.
20:57 westbaystars: At the end of seven complete, the Dragons continue to lead 3-1.
20:57 westbaystars: ---
20:57 westbaystars: --- Top of Eighth
20:57 westbaystars: ---
20:59 westbaystars: Tatsunami leads off the eighth for Chunichi against Osada.
21:00 westbaystars: he lifts the second pitch to right, but not too deep.
21:00 westbaystars: Ozeki started back, but had to come back in to make the catch.
21:00 westbaystars: One quick out.
21:01 westbaystars: *** Repeat of flash news: Hanshin's Kuman-owner steps down over monies given to Meiji University's Ichiba.
21:01 westbaystars: Alex comes up next.
21:01 westbaystars: Alex grounds the ball to the right side.
21:02 westbaystars: Cabrera goes over to play the ball while Osada covers.
21:02 westbaystars: But Cabu can't pick the all up!
21:02 westbaystars: He's trying to throw the ball before getting a handle on it.
21:02 westbaystars: (I know the feeling.)
21:02 westbaystars: E-3.
21:03 westbaystars: One out, runner at first, Linares at the plate.
21:03 westbaystars: Osada hits Linares on the elbow on the first pitch!
21:03 westbaystars: I don't think that's what he wanted to do.
21:03 westbaystars: Araki-pitching coach heads out to the mound.
21:04 westbaystars: Linares smiles at first, chatting with Cabrera.
21:04 westbaystars: He's OK.
21:04 westbaystars: Tanishige comes up with runners at first and second with one out.
21:04 westbaystars: He hit a grand slam in Game 3, and sacrifice these two along in the fourth this evening.
21:05 westbaystars: That set up the two runs scored in the fourth.
21:05 westbaystars: He lines the ball deep to right.
21:05 westbaystars: But the ball goes foul into the stands.
21:06 westbaystars: Two quick strikes on Tanishige.
21:07 westbaystars: The third pitch is a one bounder off Hosokawa's chest protector and toward the Lions' on deck circle!
21:07 westbaystars: Both runners move up a base.
21:08 westbaystars: The fourth pitch hand cuffs Tanishige, pushing the ball to the right side.
21:08 westbaystars: Takagi is there and makes the catch on the looping liner.
21:08 westbaystars: Two outs.
21:08 westbaystars: Inoue comes up to bat.
21:09 westbaystars: In this same situation, runners at second and third, Inoue drove them in in the fourth.
21:09 westbaystars: But he won't be given the chance here.
21:09 westbaystars: Hosokawa stands up and they give Inoue a free pass.
21:10 westbaystars: Hidenori is on deck, getting ready to pinch hit.
21:10 westbaystars: Actually, he came in to play right earlier.
21:11 westbaystars: He's not pinch hitting, but this is his first at bat this game.
21:11 westbaystars: He grounds the second pitch up the middle.
21:12 westbaystars: Osada misses the ball with a stab at it.
21:12 westbaystars: But Takada does get the ball!
21:12 westbaystars: He tosses to Nakajima on second, and gets the force.
21:12 westbaystars: That retires the side.
21:12 westbaystars: Osada dug himself a big hole, but got out if it.
21:13 westbaystars: After seven and a half, the Dragons continue to lead 3-1.
21:13 westbaystars: ---
21:13 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Eighth
21:13 westbaystars: ---
21:14 westbaystars: Kaizuka leads off the Seibu eighth as a pinch hitter.
21:14 westbaystars: Hitting six Dragons, the Lions tie a record for most dead balls in a Nippon Series.
21:15 westbaystars: Kawakami misses with his first three pitches to Kaizuka.
21:15 westbaystars: The fourth pitch gets the inside corner for strike one.
21:16 westbaystars: The fifth pitch just gets the outside corner to run the count full.
21:16 westbaystars: Kaizuka gets the bat off his shoulder and fouls the next pitch off.
21:16 westbaystars: And fouls off another.
21:17 westbaystars: And another.
21:17 westbaystars: The nineth pitch is lifted to left and high.
21:18 westbaystars: Inoue calls off Ibata and makes the catch in left.
21:18 westbaystars: One out.
21:18 westbaystars: Chunichi in the fourth has been the only team to have their lead-off batter reach base so far this evening.
21:19 westbaystars: Takagi comes up next.
21:19 westbaystars: He grounds the ball to the hole on the right side, but Araki closes it.
21:19 westbaystars: Araki throws to first for out number two.
21:20 westbaystars: Iwase warms up in the Dragons' pen.
21:20 westbaystars: Satoh comes up next.
21:20 westbaystars: He sends three fielders into foul territory up the right field line, but none can get the ball.
21:20 westbaystars: Strike one.
21:22 westbaystars: Four pitches later, the count evens at two and two. (There was a foul ball in there.)
21:22 westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch misses low, full count.
21:23 westbaystars: Satoh fouls off a couple to keep things going.
21:24 westbaystars: Kawakami hasn't given up a walk yet, and he's thrown a *lot* of full count pitches.
21:24 westbaystars: Another foul ball.
21:24 westbaystars: His 10th pitch to Satoh is grounded up the middle.
21:25 westbaystars: But played by Ibata just left and back of second!
21:25 westbaystars: He throws to first, and the Lions are retired in order yet again.
21:25 westbaystars: At the end of eight complete, the score remain Dragons 3 - 1 Lions.
21:25 westbaystars: ---
21:25 westbaystars: --- Top of Nineth
21:25 westbaystars: ---
21:26 westbaystars: In to pitch for Seibu is Onodera.
21:28 westbaystars: Onodera misses for ball one on the first itch.
21:28 westbaystars: The second pitch is lifted to the left side.
21:28 westbaystars: Fernandez calls off Nakajima, and makes the catch.
21:29 westbaystars: One quick out.
21:29 westbaystars: Araki follows.
21:30 westbaystars: Araki grounds out to Nakajima at short.
21:30 westbaystars: We have two quick outs.
21:30 westbaystars: Ibata follows.
21:32 westbaystars: Ibata works the count to 2-2.
21:32 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is lined through the left side of the infield and into left.
21:32 westbaystars: Two out base hit.
21:32 westbaystars: That brings up Tatsunami.
21:33 westbaystars: 0 for 3 and a walk so far tonight.
21:34 westbaystars: He lifts the ball deep to right!
21:34 westbaystars: Haitaaaaaa! Home run!
21:34 westbaystars: That's two big runs for Chunichi with two outs in the nineth.
21:34 westbaystars: They take a 5-1 lead.
21:35 westbaystars: Alex is swinging at the first pitch, and lines it into the left field stands!
21:35 westbaystars: Back to back home runs!
21:35 westbaystars: Chunichi now leads 6-1.
21:35 westbaystars: After two quick outs.
21:36 westbaystars: Onodera didn't allow a single hit in his first two appearances this Series.
21:36 westbaystars: Linares follows.
21:37 westbaystars: Linares grounds the ball to Nakajima at short.
21:37 westbaystars: His throw to first is high and up the line.
21:37 westbaystars: Cabrera is pulled off the bag to catch the ball, but has plenty of time to return.
21:37 westbaystars: That retires the side.
21:38 westbaystars: But not before two home runs add three runs to the Dragons' total.
21:38 westbaystars: Going to the Lions' last chance, they now trail 1-6.
21:38 westbaystars: ---
21:38 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Nineth
21:38 westbaystars: ---
21:39 westbaystars: Iwase comes in to close for the Dragons.
21:40 westbaystars: Kawakami threw well for eight innings.
21:40 westbaystars: Otsukare sama deshita.
21:41 westbaystars: Inubushi leads off pinch hitting.
21:41 westbaystars: Iwase gets ahead of him with two quick strikes.
21:41 westbaystars: Kawai is in a third this inning.
21:42 westbaystars: Inubushi grounds the fourth pitch back to Iwase on the mound.
21:42 westbaystars: Iwase throws to first, and we have out number one.
21:43 westbaystars: Fernandez comes up next.
21:43 westbaystars: He's struck out three time so far.
21:43 westbaystars: But sends the first pick back up the middle here for a base hit!
21:44 westbaystars: Araki made a diving try, but the ball was just too far away.
21:44 westbaystars: Cabrera follows.
21:44 westbaystars: The first pitch is swung on and fouled off to the right side.
21:45 westbaystars: Cabu has struck out twice and grounded to short to night.
21:45 westbaystars: The second pitch is swung ona and missed. Nice golf form.
21:45 westbaystars: Strike two.
21:45 westbaystars: The third pitch is fouled off to the left side.
21:46 westbaystars: Cabrera wants to hit the ball.
21:46 westbaystars: The fourth pitch misses outside and low, Cabrera letting it go.
21:47 westbaystars: Cabrera checks his swing with the next pitch, but fouls the ball off.
21:47 westbaystars: Iwase misses outside with the next pitch.
21:47 westbaystars: The announcers mention that there's no mark on Fernandez at first - he ought to go.
21:48 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is fouled off to the right side. Count remains 2-2.
21:48 westbaystars: And Cabu swings and misses Iwase's eighth pitch to him.
21:48 westbaystars: The Lions are down to their final out.
21:49 westbaystars: Team leader Wada comes up to bat in hopes of prolonging the game.
21:49 westbaystars: He takes strike one on the outside corner and low.
21:50 westbaystars: Iwase misses outside with the next pitch.
21:50 westbaystars: The third pitch is lifted to straight away center.
21:50 westbaystars: Alex moves over a little toward left, and makes the catch.
21:50 westbaystars: That's the ball game.
21:51 westbaystars: Chunichi is down to one more win, now up 3 games to 2.
21:51 westbaystars: ***
21:51 westbaystars: ***
21:51 westbaystars: *** Game Final
21:51 westbaystars: ***
21:51 westbaystars: *** Chunichi Dragons 6 - 1 Seibu Lions
21:51 westbaystars: *** 3 games to 2
21:51 westbaystars: ***
21:51 westbaystars: ***
21:52 westbaystars: We'll head back to Nagoya next.
21:52 westbaystars: The next game will be Sunday, not Saturday.
21:52 westbaystars: Typhoon #23 pushed all games back a day, travel day included.
21:53 westbaystars: So, any final comments on this game?
21:55 westbaystars: Doesn't look like it, so I'll close this and post the transcript.
21:56 westbaystars: Have a good one, all.
21:56 westbaystars: See you Sunday.
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2004/10/22 21:56
CHATROOM 2004 Nippon Series/Game 5
MODERATORS westbaystars
18:09 westbaystars: Kawakami will be facing Nishiguchi in tonight's matchup.
18:16 westbaystars: Radio announcers think that the game will be decided by how long Nishiguchi goes.
18:16 westbaystars: That'll be the key to Game 5.
18:18 westbaystars: ---
18:18 westbaystars: --- Top of First
18:18 westbaystars: ---
18:20 westbaystars: Nishiguchi climbs the mound to take his warm up pitches.
18:20 westbaystars: Hosokawa starts behind the plate this evening.
18:21 westbaystars: Otherwise, the Seibu defense is the same as always.
18:21 westbaystars: Nishiguchi's first pitch to Araki is driven deep to right.
18:21 westbaystars: Satoh goes over a little, and in front of the warning track, makes the catch.
18:21 westbaystars: One pitch, one out.
18:22 westbaystars: Ibata follows.
18:22 westbaystars: He shows bunt, but takes low.
18:22 westbaystars: Ibata doesn't square around on the second pitch, and takes inside and high.
18:23 westbaystars: After taking strike one, Ibata lines the next pitch into left, to Wada on a bound.
18:23 westbaystars: Base hit.
18:23 westbaystars: Radio commentator says that Nishiguchi isn't his "dynamic" self this evening.
18:24 westbaystars: He gets his first pitch over to Tatsunami for strike one.
18:25 westbaystars: Three balls later Ibata takes off for second.
18:25 westbaystars: The throw beat him, but was too high.
18:26 westbaystars: By the time Nakajima brought the ball down to tag level, Ibata was into second with a stolen base.
18:26 westbaystars: Nishiguchi's fifth offering to Tatsunami misses high and tight, ball four.
18:26 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with number four batting Alex.
18:26 westbaystars: Alex lifts the first pitch up high to the left side.
18:27 westbaystars: This is an infield fly that Fernandez grabs to complete out number two.
18:27 westbaystars: Linares follows.
18:28 westbaystars: But he grounds the ball to the right side.
18:28 westbaystars: Takagi has it, throws to first, and the side is retired.
18:28 westbaystars: The Dragons got a pair of runners and a stolen base, but strand two.
18:29 westbaystars: After half an inning, there is no score.
18:29 westbaystars: ---
18:29 westbaystars: --- Bottom of First
18:29 westbaystars: ---
18:30 westbaystars: Kawakami climbs the mound for the Dragons.
18:30 westbaystars: he got the loss in Game 1, but suffered mainly from lack of run support.
18:31 westbaystars: The first batter he faces is Satoh.
18:31 westbaystars: Kawakami's first pitch is grounded to third.
18:31 westbaystars: Tatsunami throws high to first, saved by Linares!
18:31 westbaystars: One pitch, one out.
18:32 westbaystars: Akada follows.
18:32 westbaystars: With the exception of Hosokawa in for Noda, the starting lineup is the same.
18:32 westbaystars: Akada grounds the ball to the right side.
18:33 westbaystars: Kawakami fields the ball on two hops, charges for Akada, and touches him out before he reaches base.
18:33 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
18:33 westbaystars: That brings up Fernandez.
18:34 westbaystars: Fernandez didn't like the strike two call. No balls.
18:34 westbaystars: The third pitch is in the dirt outside, ball one.
18:34 westbaystars: Changeup outside misses for ball two. Two and two.
18:35 westbaystars: Then Fernandez fails to check his swing on the next pitch and is quite upset with himself.
18:35 westbaystars: The ball being low and away.
18:36 westbaystars: The Lions go down in order in the first. Something that's been very rare this Series.
18:36 westbaystars: Thanks to a double play, the nineth inning last night was the only time yesterday.
18:36 westbaystars: Nonetheless, after one complete, there is no score.
18:36 westbaystars: ---
18:37 westbaystars: --- Top of Second
18:37 westbaystars: ---
18:37 westbaystars: Tanishige leads off the second for the Dragons.
18:39 westbaystars: Tanishige works the count full.
18:39 westbaystars: And he's called out on the full count pitch, over the outside part of the plate, up in the zone.
18:40 westbaystars: Tanishige didn't agree with the call.
18:40 westbaystars: Inoue follows grounding the first pitch to Cabrera behind the first base bag.
18:40 westbaystars: Cabrera walks the ball forward a couple of steps, and we have out number two.
18:40 westbaystars: Ohnishi comes up next.
18:42 westbaystars: Ohnishi fails to hold up on an outside two strike, one ball pitch and heads for the third base dugout.
18:43 westbaystars: The Dragons go down in order in the second.
18:43 westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the second, we remain scoreless.
18:43 westbaystars: ---
18:43 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Second
18:43 westbaystars: ---
18:44 westbaystars: Cabrera leads off the second inning.
18:45 westbaystars: This umpire likes the outside pitch. Cabrera doesn't. Strike one called.
18:46 westbaystars: But Kawakami misses with the next three pitches, all low, two outside as well.
18:46 westbaystars: The umpire isn't calling them.
18:46 westbaystars: The next pitch is inside, swung on and missed. Full count.
18:46 westbaystars: Cabu likes that inside pitch.
18:47 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch waits as Kawakami took too long to deliver.
18:47 westbaystars: Again, the sixth pitch is outside and low, swung on and missed by Cabrera.
18:47 westbaystars: Cabu has been so good this whole Series holding back on those.
18:47 westbaystars: One out.
18:47 westbaystars: Wada to follow.
18:48 westbaystars: He swings at the first pitch, lifting the ball high and deep to right.
18:48 westbaystars: But juding by Inoue, not deep enough.
18:48 westbaystars: Inoue hardly moves, taking the ball in several steps in front of the warning track.
18:48 westbaystars: Two down.
18:48 westbaystars: DH Hirao bats next.
18:49 westbaystars: He's only 1 for 6 (.167) in the Series so far.
18:49 westbaystars: Doesn't Seibu have a more powerful DH?
18:50 westbaystars: The count goes full to Hirao.
18:50 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is lined deep to left.
18:50 westbaystars: If it's fair, it's gone!
18:51 westbaystars: But it well left of the foul pole.
18:51 westbaystars: The next pitch is reached for and dribbled to the right side of the mound.
18:51 westbaystars: Kawakami lunges for the ball, and on his way toward first, tosses underhand to Linares for the out.
18:52 westbaystars: The Lions hit the ball hard, but are down in order.
18:52 westbaystars: At the end of two complete, the game remains scoreless.
18:52 westbaystars: ---
18:52 westbaystars: --- Top of Third
18:52 westbaystars: ---
18:54 westbaystars: Uh, oh. TBS fails to get the first pitch in the third. And after all the nice things I said about them compared to
18:54 westbaystars: ... TV Asahi.
18:54 westbaystars: While still at commercial, Morino grounds out.
18:55 westbaystars: Back to the top of the Dragon order in Araki as the TV returns.
18:55 westbaystars: Araki lines the ball deep to left.
18:55 westbaystars: Wada goes back, on the run,
18:56 westbaystars: The ball hits the fense and bounces back.
18:56 westbaystars: As the throw comes back to Nakajima, Araki keeps going around second and heads for third!
18:56 westbaystars: The throw looks like it got him, but he's called safe!
18:56 westbaystars: One out triple!
18:57 westbaystars: That brings up Ibata.
18:57 westbaystars: It's hard to say if that was agressive base running or foolish base running.
18:57 westbaystars: A bit of both? And Araki got lucky.
18:58 westbaystars: The infield is in.
18:58 westbaystars: Nishiguchi goes one strike, three balls to Ibata.
18:59 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is swung on. Ibata wanted to hold up on the outside pitch, but couldn't.
18:59 westbaystars: Full count.
18:59 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is down the middle, fouled back by Ibata.
19:00 westbaystars: Again with the shoubu pitch, it's grounded to the left side!
19:00 westbaystars: Nakajima throws home, Hosokawa fails to field the short bound! Safe at home!
19:01 westbaystars: Nishiguchi fields the bounce off of Hosokawa's shin guard, and fires to second.
19:01 westbaystars: Ibata is called out at second!
19:02 westbaystars: The run scores on the fielder's choice, 6-2-1-6 on the play at second
19:02 westbaystars: Two down, Tatsunami at the plate.
19:02 westbaystars: Araki looks like he's seriously hurt. He was rolling around for quite a while after the play.
19:03 westbaystars: Third base umpire says Tatsunami failed to hold up, strike three.
19:03 westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:03 westbaystars: But not before an agressive Araki scores the first run of the game.
19:03 westbaystars: The Dragons now lead 1-0 after two and a half.
19:03 westbaystars: ---
19:03 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Third
19:03 westbaystars: ---
19:05 westbaystars: Araki still hasn't come out of the Chunichi dugout.
19:05 westbaystars: Nor has anyone to replace him.
19:07 westbaystars: The crowd is giving a large applause.
19:07 westbaystars: Araki comes out.
19:07 westbaystars: Both Seibu and Chunichi fans are chearing for him.
19:08 westbaystars: He's got a slight limp. I don't know how much longer he's going to last this game.
19:08 westbaystars: Nakajima leads off after the delay.
19:09 westbaystars: Nakajima has hit home runs in each of the last two games.
19:10 westbaystars: *** This just in - Hanshin's owner is also stepping down for money given to Ichiba.
19:10 westbaystars: The count goes full to Nakajima.
19:10 westbaystars: Kawakami's 30th pitch of the game is fouled off to the left side and out of play.
19:11 westbaystars: And he fouls off a couple more.
19:12 westbaystars: Nakajima finally lifts one into fair territory.
19:12 westbaystars: Linares calls for the ball, and makes the catch.
19:12 westbaystars: One out.
19:12 westbaystars: That brings up Hosokawa, doing the catching this evening for Seibu.
19:13 westbaystars: He's 0 for 2 in the Series, mostly coming in defensively late in games.
19:14 westbaystars: Hosokawa grounds an inside pitch to the left side.
19:14 westbaystars: Tatsunami fields the ball, throws to first, and we have two outs.
19:14 westbaystars: Number nine batting Takagi follows.
19:15 westbaystars: Takagi grounds Kawakami's second offering just inside the first base bag.
19:15 westbaystars: But Linares is playing on the line, fields the ball, and takes it to first himself.
19:15 westbaystars: That retires the side in order for the third time in three innings.
19:15 westbaystars: Kawakami's been perfect so far.
19:16 westbaystars: At the end of three complete, the Chunichi Dragons lead 1-0.
19:16 westbaystars: ---
19:16 westbaystars: --- Top of Fourth
19:16 westbaystars: ---
19:17 westbaystars: *** Hanshin "presented" Ichiba with 250,000 yen in their courting of him.
19:18 westbaystars: Alex leads off the Chunichi fourth.
19:19 westbaystars: The first base umpire says he held up on the full count pitch outside.
19:19 westbaystars: And Alex takes first base for a lead-off base runner.
19:19 westbaystars: Next up is Linares.
19:19 MHtrStevie: *** Not exactly the best year for the "old guard", I guess...
19:20 westbaystars: *** Next year really will be a new beginning for Pro Yakyu.
19:21 westbaystars: *** Another broadband company is bidding for Daiei. And Daiei is saying the club isn't for sale!
19:22 westbaystars: Missing on the 2-2 pitch outside, the count runs full to Linares.
19:22 MHtrStevie: *** You mean Daiei is essentally rejecting the Softbank offer?
19:22 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is foulded off.
19:23 westbaystars: *** Funny story that. Softbank made their press statement because they don't know who to make the offer to.
19:23 westbaystars: *** They were hoping the press release would force contact to be made.
19:23 westbaystars: Nishiguchi misses outside, ball four.
19:24 westbaystars: Back to back lead-off walks.
19:24 westbaystars: Runners at first and second, nobody out.
19:24 westbaystars: Ishii gets up the the Lions' bull pen.
19:24 MHtrStevie: *** Is FDH going to stand for Fukuoka Debtor Hawks now?
19:24 westbaystars: Nishiguchi has thrown 56 pitches to 14 batters so far.
19:25 westbaystars: ***
19:25 westbaystars: Tanishige shows bunt, takes ball one outside.
19:25 westbaystars: The second pitch is bunted up the first base side.
19:26 westbaystars: Cabrera makes the play and touches Tanishige as he goes by.
19:26 westbaystars: The sacrifice is successful, runners move to second and third with one out.
19:26 westbaystars: Inoue comes up to bat.
19:27 westbaystars: Inoue is 2 for 8 in the Series, both hits last night.
19:28 westbaystars: Inoue reaches out and bloops the ball over Takagi and into right-center field.
19:28 westbaystars: One run is in.
19:28 westbaystars: Linares rounds third and heads home.
19:28 westbaystars: There's no throw to the plate, he scores!
19:28 westbaystars: Chunichi goes up 3-0.
19:29 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku just sits there on his seat and shakes his head in approval, showing no more emotion than ...
19:29 westbaystars: ... a satisfied smile.
19:29 westbaystars: Inoue held at first on the hit.
19:29 MHtrStevie: Sounds like the Dragons are doing some good baserunning tonight...
19:29 westbaystars: Next up is Ohnishi. Runners at first, one out.
19:30 westbaystars: Araki was a bit reckless last inning, imho. He got lucky.
19:30 westbaystars: But these two runs were pretty safe.
19:31 westbaystars: Ohnishi lifts the ball to the left side in foul territory.
19:31 westbaystars: Fernandez goes out and makes the catch.
19:31 westbaystars: Two outs.
19:31 westbaystars: Number nine batter Morino follows.
19:32 MHtrStevie: He was safe, so he was "aggressive" on the basepaths...
19:32 westbaystars: Nishiguchi's 65th pitch of the evening misses outside to being the count even at 1-1.
19:32 MHtrStevie: If he was out, *then* he would be "reckless"... =)
19:33 westbaystars: Morino watches strike two, the swings and misses for strike three.
19:33 westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:33 westbaystars: But not before the Dragons add two more thanks to a pair of walks, a sacrifice, and a bloop single.
19:34 westbaystars: After three and a half, the Dragons increase their lead to 3-0.
19:34 westbaystars: ---
19:34 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fourth
19:34 westbaystars: ---
19:35 westbaystars: The top of the Lions' order start off the Lions' half of the fourth in Satoh.
19:36 westbaystars: Satoh grounds the ball to the left side.
19:36 westbaystars: Tatsunami comes in and across, fields the ball on one bound, and throws Satoh out.
19:36 westbaystars: One down.
19:37 westbaystars: Akada lifts the ball to shallow left.
19:37 westbaystars: Not a problem for Ohnishi who comes in and makes the catch.
19:37 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
19:38 westbaystars: Fernandez follows.
19:38 westbaystars: He failed to check his swing in the first to strike out, and knew it.
19:38 westbaystars: Kawakami gets ahead of him with two quick strikes here.
19:38 westbaystars: The third pitch misses outside for ball one.
19:39 westbaystars: The fourth pitch drops at the plate and is swung on and missed!
19:39 westbaystars: Strike three.
19:39 westbaystars: The 2004 Sawamura Award winning Kawakami finishes four perfect innings.
19:39 westbaystars: At the end of four complete, the Dragons lead 3-0.
19:39 westbaystars: ---
19:40 westbaystars: --- Top of Fifth
19:40 westbaystars: ---
19:41 westbaystars: The Dragons start with the top of their order in Araki in the fifth.
19:41 westbaystars: This is the Dragons' third time around.
19:42 westbaystars: Araki hit a triple off the left field fense his last at bat.
19:42 westbaystars: He grounds back to Nishiguchi at the mound.
19:42 westbaystars: The ball is off his foot and rolls toward first.
19:42 westbaystars: Nishiguchi chases the ball down, tosses underhand to first, and *just* gets the quick Araki.
19:42 westbaystars: That was a lot closer than it should have been.
19:43 westbaystars: I guess Araki's leg is now fully recovered after the play at the plate.
19:43 westbaystars: Ibata follows.
19:44 westbaystars: Ibata takes ball four high on Nishiguchi's fifth pitch.
19:44 westbaystars: Walks hurt Nishiguchi last inning, and Ibata is a lot faster than Alex and Linares.
19:45 westbaystars: Tatsunami comes up with a runner at first and one out.
19:45 westbaystars: Nishiguchi gets ahead of Tatsunami quickly with two strikes.
19:46 westbaystars: Then he misses low and away for ball one.
19:46 westbaystars: Tatsunami grounds the ball to first.
19:46 westbaystars: Cabrera turns, throws the ball to second to get one.
19:46 westbaystars: The relay back to Cabrera covering first is in time! Double play!
19:47 westbaystars: The Dragons go down in three in the fifth.
19:47 westbaystars: Yet, they continue to lead 3-0.
19:47 westbaystars: ---
19:47 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fifth
19:47 westbaystars: ---
19:48 westbaystars: The announcer says that Seibu down is full tonight.
19:49 westbaystars: There are a number of seats behind home plate that are empty, though.
19:49 westbaystars: The farthest any pitch has thrown a perfect game in the Nippon Series was 7 1/3rd innings.
19:50 westbaystars: Cabrera leads off trying to break it up.
19:50 westbaystars: Cabu pulls the fourth pitch to the left side.
19:50 westbaystars: Ibata fields the ball and throws him out for out number one.
19:51 westbaystars: Wada follows.
19:52 westbaystars: Wada hit a home run off of Kawakami in Game 1.
19:52 westbaystars: But grounds out to Ibata at short here for the second out.
19:53 westbaystars: Hirao comes up next.
19:54 westbaystars: Hirao watches strike three go by on four pitches.
19:55 westbaystars: That retires the Lions in order for the fifth time in five innings.
19:55 westbaystars: After five complete, the scores is Chunichi 3 - 0 Seibu.
19:55 westbaystars: ---
19:55 westbaystars: --- Top of Sixth
19:55 westbaystars: ---
19:58 westbaystars: Alex leads off the sixth inning for the Dragons.
19:59 westbaystars: He lifts a high fly to shallow left.
19:59 westbaystars: Nakajima calls for the ball, and makes the catch.
19:59 westbaystars: One quick out.
19:59 HABS: morning
19:59 westbaystars: Linares follows.
19:59 westbaystars: Glad you could join us this morning/evening.
20:00 HABS: I'll have to leave soon for work.
20:00 westbaystars: There is no game tomorrow, as the schedule was pushed back one day.
20:00 westbaystars: Well, the Dragons currently lead 3-0.
20:00 westbaystars: All runs earned by moving runners around.
20:00 HABS: next game sunday?
20:01 westbaystars: No home runs yet.
20:01 westbaystars: Chunichi's Kawakami has thrown five perfect innings against the Lions.
20:01 westbaystars: Right, next game will be Sunday, same time.
20:01 westbaystars: Linares strikes out swinging.
20:01 westbaystars: Two down.
20:01 westbaystars: That brings up Tanishige.
20:02 westbaystars: Nishiguchi gets Tanishige swinging on four pitches.
20:03 westbaystars: That retires the Dragons in order.
20:03 westbaystars: Nishiguchi looks like he's settled down. At least for the time being.
20:03 westbaystars: ---
20:03 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Sixth
20:03 westbaystars: ---
20:04 westbaystars: The game is going at a much higher pace tonight.
20:04 westbaystars: It seems like we were still in the fourth at 8:00 (JST) last night.
20:04 MHtrStevie: Time for me to get to work... nice job as always!
20:04 westbaystars: Maybe even the third.
20:04 westbaystars: Have a good one.
20:04 westbaystars: See you Sunday, if not later.
20:04 MHtrStevie: See everyone on Sunday for Game 6!
20:05 westbaystars: Nakajima leads off the Lions' half of the sixth.
20:05 westbaystars: We're at the bottom third of the order.
20:06 westbaystars: Kawakami goes even at 2-2 to Nakajima.
20:07 westbaystars: Nakajima fouls the next pitch off to stay alive.
20:07 westbaystars: It took 11 pitches to get Nakajima his first at bat.
20:08 westbaystars: Nakajima holds up on the next pitch accoring to the first base umpire, full count.
20:08 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is grounded just inside the third base line.
20:08 westbaystars: Tatsunami throws from deep behind the third base bag.
20:08 westbaystars: The long hop to first, out!
20:09 westbaystars: Out by less than half a step.
20:09 westbaystars: That was as close as it gets.
20:09 westbaystars: One out, Hosokawa at the plate.
20:10 westbaystars: Fifth pitch is called strike two to bring the count full.
20:10 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is fouled off to the right side.
20:11 westbaystars: Kawakami has had quite a few full counts.
20:11 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is punched through the left side and into left.
20:11 westbaystars: Base hit!
20:11 westbaystars: That breaks up the perfect game after 5 2/3rds.
20:12 westbaystars: Kawakami's 73rd pitch of the game.
20:12 westbaystars: Takagi comes up with a runner at first and one out.
20:13 westbaystars: Kawakami gets two quick strikes on Takagi.
20:13 westbaystars: Third pitch is wasted outside and high.
20:14 westbaystars: Takagi reaches out and fouls off the next pitch. Count remains two strikes, one ball.
20:14 westbaystars: Takagi then fouls one just outside the first base bag.
20:15 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is grounded up the middle.
20:15 westbaystars: It looks like it hit Kawakami's glove, but continued on up the middle.
20:15 westbaystars: Ibata dives behind second base, but the ball keeps on going.
20:15 westbaystars: Back to back base hits!
20:16 westbaystars: Top of the order in Satoh.
20:16 westbaystars: Kawakami's 80th pitch of the night is swung on and missed for strike on.
20:17 westbaystars: Satoh is 9 for 22 so far in the Series.
20:17 westbaystars: The second pitch is fouled off to the right side, strike two.
20:18 westbaystars: Kawakami misses low and away with the third pitch for ball one.
20:18 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is down the middle, swung on and missed a little late by Satoh.
20:18 westbaystars: Strike three.
20:18 HABS: I have to go. Nice job as always see you sunday.
20:18 westbaystars: That brings the out count to two.
20:19 westbaystars: See you Sunday, then. Take care.
20:19 westbaystars: Ozeki comes up to pinch hit for Akada.
20:20 westbaystars: Ozeki swings, going, going, off the top of the fense in right-center!
20:20 westbaystars: One run comes in!
20:20 westbaystars: Takagi comes home. The throw is late, but the block keeps Takagi away!
20:20 westbaystars: Out at the plate!
20:21 westbaystars: The Lions get one back, but that's all.
20:21 westbaystars: At the end of six complete, the Lions finally reach base and home.
20:21 westbaystars: They cut the Dragons' lead to two and now trail 1-3.
20:21 westbaystars: ---
20:21 westbaystars: --- Top of Seventh
20:21 westbaystars: ---
20:23 westbaystars: Replays show that Takagi couldn't get his foot in under Tanishige blocking.
20:23 westbaystars: It was a good call at the plate.
20:23 westbaystars: Ozeki stays in the game in right, Satoh moves to center.
20:23 westbaystars: Inoue leads off the seventh.
20:23 westbaystars: He lifts the ball high to left, but not deep.
20:24 westbaystars: Wada comes over toward the line and makes the catch for out number one.
20:24 westbaystars: Need a recap, Martin?
20:24 westbaystars: Ohnishi follows.
20:25 Martin: I just looked at the score at tbs and wondered what just hapened. Taaged out at the plate!
20:26 westbaystars: Tanishige gets all the credit there for the block. He was safe with the timing.
20:26 westbaystars: Ohnishi goes down on strikes.
20:26 Martin: I have and appointment in 30 minutes, so don't have much time to follow the game.
20:26 westbaystars: Swinging at a ball in the dirt.
20:26 westbaystars: Well, good to have you while you do.
20:27 westbaystars: That was Nishiguchi's 100th pitch of the game.
20:27 westbaystars: Next up is Morino.
20:28 westbaystars: Count runs to two and two.
20:28 westbaystars: And Nishiguchi misses in the dirt at Morino's feet with the fifth pitch, full count.
20:28 westbaystars: Morino then takes first on the next pitch way up high.
20:29 westbaystars: Araki-pitching coach heads out to the mound.
20:29 westbaystars: I think Nishiguchi is tiring.
20:29 westbaystars: Araki hears what he needs to and heads back to the dugout.
20:29 westbaystars: Both barrels are up in the Seibu bull pen.
20:30 westbaystars: Araki (no relation to Seibu's pitching coach) comes up next with two down and a runner at first.
20:30 westbaystars: Araki started the scoring in the third with a triple off the fense in left then scoring on a grounder to short.
20:31 westbaystars: He'd have been out if Hosokawa had fielded the ball properly.
20:31 westbaystars: Nishiguchi falls behind Araki one strike, three balls.
20:31 westbaystars: He's looking tired.
20:32 westbaystars: The fifth pitch catches the outside part of the plate, full count.
20:32 westbaystars: Araki then holds up on the next pitch to take first base.
20:32 westbaystars: And Nishiguchi has had it.
20:34 westbaystars: Osada is announced as the second Seibu pitcher on the night.
20:34 westbaystars: The other two Dragon runs came in the fourth after Alex and Linares walked, were sacrificed to second and third, ...
20:35 westbaystars: ... then driven in by Inoue.
20:35 westbaystars: Those two walks came back to haunt Nishiguchi.
20:35 westbaystars: Let's see what happens with these two two out walks.
20:36 westbaystars: Ibata stands in.
20:36 westbaystars: Odada's first pitch of the game is a one bounder for ball one.
20:37 westbaystars: The stands look odd with all of the blue balloons ready for release.
20:37 westbaystars: At Koshien, it's all colors of the rainbow.
20:37 westbaystars: Here it looks like a blue mist.
20:38 westbaystars: Osada works slowly, but manages to even the count at 2-2.
20:38 westbaystars: The fifth pitch misses low, full count.
20:39 westbaystars: The next pitch is reached for and lined into the stands on up the right field line.
20:40 westbaystars: The second full count pitch is grounded to Fernandez at third.
20:40 westbaystars: Fernandez out runs the runner to third, and the side is retired.
20:41 westbaystars: The Dragons knock out Nishiguchi, but come up empty.
20:41 westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the seventh, the Dragons continue to lead 3-1.
20:41 westbaystars: ---
20:41 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Seventh
20:41 westbaystars: ---
20:43 westbaystars: Seibu's clean up leads off the seventh, Fernandez, Cabrera, and Wada.
20:44 westbaystars: Fernandez doesn't like the strike two call, but it looked over the plate from here.
20:44 westbaystars: Two strikes, one ball.
20:44 westbaystars: The fourth pitch misses low and away, two and two.
20:45 westbaystars: This time Kawakami appeals for a called strike, although it was outside. Good call, ump.
20:45 westbaystars: But Fernandez swings and misses the full count pitch, down the middle!
20:46 westbaystars: The only place Fernandez doesn't expect it?
20:46 westbaystars: One out.
20:46 westbaystars: That brings up Cabrera.
20:46 westbaystars: He's struck out and grounded to second so far tonight.
20:48 westbaystars: Taking strike two down the middle, the count evens at two and up.
20:48 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is called strike three on the outside corner.
20:48 westbaystars: Back to back strike outs.
20:48 westbaystars: Kawakami has thrown 95 pitches so far.
20:48 westbaystars: And next up is Wada.
20:49 westbaystars: Kawakami misses with his first two pitches to Wada.
20:50 westbaystars: The third pitch is down the middle, fouled back.
20:50 westbaystars: The next pitch is lined to the left-center gap!
20:51 westbaystars: The ball hits in the warning track and is off the fense on a bound.
20:51 westbaystars: The ball is played, thrown to second, and Wada is sliding in safely just ahead of the throw.
20:51 westbaystars: Two out double.
20:52 westbaystars: Hirao, the designated hitter, comes up next.
20:52 westbaystars: Kawakami's 100th pitch of the game is taken for strike one.
20:52 westbaystars: The Dragons' bull pen has activity.
20:52 westbaystars: Hirao is 1 for 8 in the Series. Not what I'd call very good for a designated hitter.
20:53 westbaystars: After taking ball one, Hirao fails to hold up on the next pitch, strike two.
20:54 westbaystars: Kawakami misses outside and low for ball two, two and two.
20:54 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded through the left side, base hit!
20:54 westbaystars: Wada starts around third, but is held up by the third base coach!
20:55 westbaystars: The throw is off line, he'd have had it. But they were playing it safe.
20:55 westbaystars: Mori-pitching coach heads out to the mound to talk with Kawakami.
20:55 westbaystars: Kawakami shakes his head "yes" to everything he says.
20:56 westbaystars: And Mori-coach heads back to the dugout.
20:56 westbaystars: Nakajima follows with runners at first and third and two outs.
20:56 westbaystars: He swings at the first pitch, pulling the inside pitch to the left side.
20:57 westbaystars: Ibata fields the ball, throw to second for the force, and the side is retired.
20:57 westbaystars: The Lions put up a two out battle, but still came up empty.
20:57 westbaystars: At the end of seven complete, the Dragons continue to lead 3-1.
20:57 westbaystars: ---
20:57 westbaystars: --- Top of Eighth
20:57 westbaystars: ---
20:59 westbaystars: Tatsunami leads off the eighth for Chunichi against Osada.
21:00 westbaystars: he lifts the second pitch to right, but not too deep.
21:00 westbaystars: Ozeki started back, but had to come back in to make the catch.
21:00 westbaystars: One quick out.
21:01 westbaystars: *** Repeat of flash news: Hanshin's Kuman-owner steps down over monies given to Meiji University's Ichiba.
21:01 westbaystars: Alex comes up next.
21:01 westbaystars: Alex grounds the ball to the right side.
21:02 westbaystars: Cabrera goes over to play the ball while Osada covers.
21:02 westbaystars: But Cabu can't pick the all up!
21:02 westbaystars: He's trying to throw the ball before getting a handle on it.
21:02 westbaystars: (I know the feeling.)
21:02 westbaystars: E-3.
21:03 westbaystars: One out, runner at first, Linares at the plate.
21:03 westbaystars: Osada hits Linares on the elbow on the first pitch!
21:03 westbaystars: I don't think that's what he wanted to do.
21:03 westbaystars: Araki-pitching coach heads out to the mound.
21:04 westbaystars: Linares smiles at first, chatting with Cabrera.
21:04 westbaystars: He's OK.
21:04 westbaystars: Tanishige comes up with runners at first and second with one out.
21:04 westbaystars: He hit a grand slam in Game 3, and sacrifice these two along in the fourth this evening.
21:05 westbaystars: That set up the two runs scored in the fourth.
21:05 westbaystars: He lines the ball deep to right.
21:05 westbaystars: But the ball goes foul into the stands.
21:06 westbaystars: Two quick strikes on Tanishige.
21:07 westbaystars: The third pitch is a one bounder off Hosokawa's chest protector and toward the Lions' on deck circle!
21:07 westbaystars: Both runners move up a base.
21:08 westbaystars: The fourth pitch hand cuffs Tanishige, pushing the ball to the right side.
21:08 westbaystars: Takagi is there and makes the catch on the looping liner.
21:08 westbaystars: Two outs.
21:08 westbaystars: Inoue comes up to bat.
21:09 westbaystars: In this same situation, runners at second and third, Inoue drove them in in the fourth.
21:09 westbaystars: But he won't be given the chance here.
21:09 westbaystars: Hosokawa stands up and they give Inoue a free pass.
21:10 westbaystars: Hidenori is on deck, getting ready to pinch hit.
21:10 westbaystars: Actually, he came in to play right earlier.
21:11 westbaystars: He's not pinch hitting, but this is his first at bat this game.
21:11 westbaystars: He grounds the second pitch up the middle.
21:12 westbaystars: Osada misses the ball with a stab at it.
21:12 westbaystars: But Takada does get the ball!
21:12 westbaystars: He tosses to Nakajima on second, and gets the force.
21:12 westbaystars: That retires the side.
21:12 westbaystars: Osada dug himself a big hole, but got out if it.
21:13 westbaystars: After seven and a half, the Dragons continue to lead 3-1.
21:13 westbaystars: ---
21:13 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Eighth
21:13 westbaystars: ---
21:14 westbaystars: Kaizuka leads off the Seibu eighth as a pinch hitter.
21:14 westbaystars: Hitting six Dragons, the Lions tie a record for most dead balls in a Nippon Series.
21:15 westbaystars: Kawakami misses with his first three pitches to Kaizuka.
21:15 westbaystars: The fourth pitch gets the inside corner for strike one.
21:16 westbaystars: The fifth pitch just gets the outside corner to run the count full.
21:16 westbaystars: Kaizuka gets the bat off his shoulder and fouls the next pitch off.
21:16 westbaystars: And fouls off another.
21:17 westbaystars: And another.
21:17 westbaystars: The nineth pitch is lifted to left and high.
21:18 westbaystars: Inoue calls off Ibata and makes the catch in left.
21:18 westbaystars: One out.
21:18 westbaystars: Chunichi in the fourth has been the only team to have their lead-off batter reach base so far this evening.
21:19 westbaystars: Takagi comes up next.
21:19 westbaystars: He grounds the ball to the hole on the right side, but Araki closes it.
21:19 westbaystars: Araki throws to first for out number two.
21:20 westbaystars: Iwase warms up in the Dragons' pen.
21:20 westbaystars: Satoh comes up next.
21:20 westbaystars: He sends three fielders into foul territory up the right field line, but none can get the ball.
21:20 westbaystars: Strike one.
21:22 westbaystars: Four pitches later, the count evens at two and two. (There was a foul ball in there.)
21:22 westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch misses low, full count.
21:23 westbaystars: Satoh fouls off a couple to keep things going.
21:24 westbaystars: Kawakami hasn't given up a walk yet, and he's thrown a *lot* of full count pitches.
21:24 westbaystars: Another foul ball.
21:24 westbaystars: His 10th pitch to Satoh is grounded up the middle.
21:25 westbaystars: But played by Ibata just left and back of second!
21:25 westbaystars: He throws to first, and the Lions are retired in order yet again.
21:25 westbaystars: At the end of eight complete, the score remain Dragons 3 - 1 Lions.
21:25 westbaystars: ---
21:25 westbaystars: --- Top of Nineth
21:25 westbaystars: ---
21:26 westbaystars: In to pitch for Seibu is Onodera.
21:28 westbaystars: Onodera misses for ball one on the first itch.
21:28 westbaystars: The second pitch is lifted to the left side.
21:28 westbaystars: Fernandez calls off Nakajima, and makes the catch.
21:29 westbaystars: One quick out.
21:29 westbaystars: Araki follows.
21:30 westbaystars: Araki grounds out to Nakajima at short.
21:30 westbaystars: We have two quick outs.
21:30 westbaystars: Ibata follows.
21:32 westbaystars: Ibata works the count to 2-2.
21:32 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is lined through the left side of the infield and into left.
21:32 westbaystars: Two out base hit.
21:32 westbaystars: That brings up Tatsunami.
21:33 westbaystars: 0 for 3 and a walk so far tonight.
21:34 westbaystars: He lifts the ball deep to right!
21:34 westbaystars: Haitaaaaaa! Home run!
21:34 westbaystars: That's two big runs for Chunichi with two outs in the nineth.
21:34 westbaystars: They take a 5-1 lead.
21:35 westbaystars: Alex is swinging at the first pitch, and lines it into the left field stands!
21:35 westbaystars: Back to back home runs!
21:35 westbaystars: Chunichi now leads 6-1.
21:35 westbaystars: After two quick outs.
21:36 westbaystars: Onodera didn't allow a single hit in his first two appearances this Series.
21:36 westbaystars: Linares follows.
21:37 westbaystars: Linares grounds the ball to Nakajima at short.
21:37 westbaystars: His throw to first is high and up the line.
21:37 westbaystars: Cabrera is pulled off the bag to catch the ball, but has plenty of time to return.
21:37 westbaystars: That retires the side.
21:38 westbaystars: But not before two home runs add three runs to the Dragons' total.
21:38 westbaystars: Going to the Lions' last chance, they now trail 1-6.
21:38 westbaystars: ---
21:38 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Nineth
21:38 westbaystars: ---
21:39 westbaystars: Iwase comes in to close for the Dragons.
21:40 westbaystars: Kawakami threw well for eight innings.
21:40 westbaystars: Otsukare sama deshita.
21:41 westbaystars: Inubushi leads off pinch hitting.
21:41 westbaystars: Iwase gets ahead of him with two quick strikes.
21:41 westbaystars: Kawai is in a third this inning.
21:42 westbaystars: Inubushi grounds the fourth pitch back to Iwase on the mound.
21:42 westbaystars: Iwase throws to first, and we have out number one.
21:43 westbaystars: Fernandez comes up next.
21:43 westbaystars: He's struck out three time so far.
21:43 westbaystars: But sends the first pick back up the middle here for a base hit!
21:44 westbaystars: Araki made a diving try, but the ball was just too far away.
21:44 westbaystars: Cabrera follows.
21:44 westbaystars: The first pitch is swung on and fouled off to the right side.
21:45 westbaystars: Cabu has struck out twice and grounded to short to night.
21:45 westbaystars: The second pitch is swung ona and missed. Nice golf form.
21:45 westbaystars: Strike two.
21:45 westbaystars: The third pitch is fouled off to the left side.
21:46 westbaystars: Cabrera wants to hit the ball.
21:46 westbaystars: The fourth pitch misses outside and low, Cabrera letting it go.
21:47 westbaystars: Cabrera checks his swing with the next pitch, but fouls the ball off.
21:47 westbaystars: Iwase misses outside with the next pitch.
21:47 westbaystars: The announcers mention that there's no mark on Fernandez at first - he ought to go.
21:48 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is fouled off to the right side. Count remains 2-2.
21:48 westbaystars: And Cabu swings and misses Iwase's eighth pitch to him.
21:48 westbaystars: The Lions are down to their final out.
21:49 westbaystars: Team leader Wada comes up to bat in hopes of prolonging the game.
21:49 westbaystars: He takes strike one on the outside corner and low.
21:50 westbaystars: Iwase misses outside with the next pitch.
21:50 westbaystars: The third pitch is lifted to straight away center.
21:50 westbaystars: Alex moves over a little toward left, and makes the catch.
21:50 westbaystars: That's the ball game.
21:51 westbaystars: Chunichi is down to one more win, now up 3 games to 2.
21:51 westbaystars: ***
21:51 westbaystars: ***
21:51 westbaystars: *** Game Final
21:51 westbaystars: ***
21:51 westbaystars: *** Chunichi Dragons 6 - 1 Seibu Lions
21:51 westbaystars: *** 3 games to 2
21:51 westbaystars: ***
21:51 westbaystars: ***
21:52 westbaystars: We'll head back to Nagoya next.
21:52 westbaystars: The next game will be Sunday, not Saturday.
21:52 westbaystars: Typhoon #23 pushed all games back a day, travel day included.
21:53 westbaystars: So, any final comments on this game?
21:55 westbaystars: Doesn't look like it, so I'll close this and post the transcript.
21:56 westbaystars: Have a good one, all.
21:56 westbaystars: See you Sunday.
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(aka westbaystars)
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Some rights reserved.
Hope to see you all then.