Pro Yakyu Game of the Week: 7/18
Discussion in the NPB News forum
Comments
Re: Pro Yakyu Game of the Week: 7/18
[ Author: Guest: Stevie | Posted: Jul 20, 2004 12:21 AM
]
Was there never an announcement for this game? I never saw one, and I was definitely around at that time. So I would have watched this game with everyone.
Is there a way of getting to the chatroom without there being a message mentioning the link? If so, I'll be sure to do that each week.
That's too bad I missed it. I'm always looking forward to Sunday mornings and the Game of the Week. Hopefully I'll see people there next Sunday.
- Stevie
Is there a way of getting to the chatroom without there being a message mentioning the link? If so, I'll be sure to do that each week.
That's too bad I missed it. I'm always looking forward to Sunday mornings and the Game of the Week. Hopefully I'll see people there next Sunday.
- Stevie
Re: Pro Yakyu Game of the Week: 7/18
[ Author: westbaystars | Posted: Jul 20, 2004 9:02 AM
| YBS Fan
]
The online chat is an un-integrated subsection of the site (something I want to fix), with login always at the same place: [Link] I guess babs-san has it bookmarked, or she looked up one of the other Games of the Week.
I'm not sure how I lost the notification message. I remember typing one. In fact, I listed the four night games available should anyone have a preference. I either accidently rejected the message, or forgot to post it while verifying the link. Either way, sorry about the confusion.
I'm not sure how I lost the notification message. I remember typing one. In fact, I listed the four night games available should anyone have a preference. I either accidently rejected the message, or forgot to post it while verifying the link. Either way, sorry about the confusion.
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This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
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Some rights reserved.
TRANSCRIPT generated on: 2004/07/18 22:47
CHATROOM: Game of the Week/Hiroshima Toyo Carp vs. Yokohama BayStars
MODERATORS: westbaystars
17:58: westbaystars - The big thing to watch for this evening is if number five batting Tamura can extend his home run hitting streak to ...
17:58: westbaystars - ... four consecutive at bats.
17:58: westbaystars - ---
17:58: westbaystars - Top of First
17:58: westbaystars - ---
17:59: westbaystars - Tokano starts for the BayStars this evening.
17:59: westbaystars - The BayStars are all in their new "summer uniforms."
17:59: westbaystars - They look similar to Seibu's home uniforms this year with a two-tone feel.
18:00: westbaystars - Kadokura's first pitch to Ogata is low and away, the ball game has begun.
18:00: westbaystars - A couple pitches later, Ogata drives a line up the middle over a jumping Ishii's glove an into center for a base hit.
18:01: westbaystars - Note: That's Kadokura on the mound, not Tokano.
18:02: westbaystars - Sheets follows with a sacrifice bunt to the left side. One out, runner at second.
18:02: westbaystars - Shima follows.
18:02: westbaystars - The new Yokohama uniforms don't have names on the back, nor numbers on the front.
18:04: westbaystars - *** I had Tokano on my mind after seeing him interviewed before the Seibu vs. Orix game.
18:05: westbaystars - Shima lines a base hit to center, reaching Tamura on a long hop.
18:05: westbaystars - That puts runners at first and third with one out and LaRocca at the plate.
18:05: westbaystars - Pinch.
18:07: westbaystars - LaRocca grounds the ball right back over the pitcher's mound, past second base, and into center field.
18:07: westbaystars - Ogata scores from third easilly.
18:08: westbaystars - The runner at first only advances to second before the ball is brought back in.
18:08: westbaystars - But Hiroshima takes a quick 1-0 lead.
18:08: westbaystars - That brings up Maeda.
18:10: westbaystars - Maeda grounds a big chopper off the plate to the right side of second.
18:11: westbaystars - Uchikawa fields the ball, and his only play is to first.
18:11: westbaystars - That's the second out of the inning, but the runners move to second and third.
18:11: westbaystars - Arai stands in.
18:13: westbaystars - Arai hits the ball as he checks his swing, grounding the ball up the first base line.
18:13: westbaystars - Woods fields the ball, takes the ball to first himself, and the side is retired.
18:14: westbaystars - But Hiroshima struck first, taking a quick 1-0 lead.
18:14: westbaystars - ---
18:14: westbaystars - Bottom of First
18:14: westbaystars - ---
18:14: westbaystars - Hiroshima veteran Sasaoka gets the start for the Carp.
18:15: westbaystars - Ishii Takuro leads off for the BayStars.
18:16: westbaystars - He squares to bunt, then takes Sasaoka's first pitch for a strike on the outside corner.
18:17: westbaystars - The next pitch is lifted high just right of the second base bag.
18:17: westbaystars - LaRocca camps under the ball, and with absolutely no wind, has no problem pulling the ball in for out number one.
18:18: westbaystars - Kinjyoh follows.
18:19: westbaystars - Kinjyoh battles off a few 2-2 pitches before sending the ball back up the middle.
18:20: westbaystars - What I thought was a center fly, bounces in just before and in between Maeda and Ogata in left-center.
18:20: westbaystars - Base hit.
18:21: westbaystars - Next up is Saeki, who's been the "Hero of the Game" for the past two games in a row.
18:21: westbaystars - Saeki hit two home runs last night and another the night before.
18:22: westbaystars - Here he pops up between the pitcher's mound and home, just to the third base side.
18:22: westbaystars - Catcher Ishihara calls the ball, but Sasaoka does too and holds his ground.
18:22: westbaystars - The two come close to colliding, and I think it's Sasaoka who caught the ball.
18:22: westbaystars - Woods comes up.
18:23: westbaystars - He hit the ball out of Yokohama Stadium yesterday.
18:26: westbaystars - Sasaoka keeps trying to trim the corners, but the umpire isn't calling them in his favor.
18:26: westbaystars - But he does get Woods swinging and missing on a low pitch on the outside part of the plate.
18:27: westbaystars - That's strike three and the side is retired.
18:27: westbaystars - Yokohama got a base runner, but nothing to show for it.
18:27: westbaystars - At the end of one complete, Hiroshima has a 1-0 lead.
18:27: westbaystars - ---
18:27: westbaystars - Top of Second
18:27: westbaystars - ---
18:28: westbaystars - Nomura leads off the second inning for Hiroshima.
18:31: westbaystars - With the count full, Numura lines a one bounder to Tamura in center who played the ball dashing toward left.
18:31: westbaystars - Base hit.
18:31: westbaystars - That brings up catcher Ishihara.
18:34: westbaystars - Ishihara lifts a blooper to right, just inside the line, bouncing in fair.
18:34: westbaystars - Kinjyoh's throw to second to try to get a force on Nomura, who waited to see if it was safe,
18:34: westbaystars - is offline!
18:35: westbaystars - Taneda at third had it backed up, preventing the runners from moving any farther.
18:35: westbaystars - Runners at first and second, nobody out.
18:35: westbaystars - Pitcher Sasaoka is looking to bunt the runners along all the way.
18:37: westbaystars - Sasaoka bunts a high bounder off the plate.
18:38: westbaystars - Kadokura looks at third, then throws to first for the sure out.
18:38: westbaystars - One out, runners at second and third, top of the order in Ogata at the plate.
18:40: westbaystars - Ogata takes first for free on five pitches.
18:40: westbaystars - That loads the bases.
18:40: westbaystars - Sheets comes up.
18:43: westbaystars - Sheets grounds the ball to Uchikawa at second, playing normal depth.
18:44: westbaystars - He throws to Ishii for one, but the relay back to first is *not* in time.
18:44: westbaystars - One run in.
18:44: westbaystars - We now have two down with runners at first and third.
18:46: westbaystars - Shima is at the plate.
18:52: westbaystars - I had to step out to talk with a neighbor for a minute, and when I got back, Kadokura and the BayStars were leaving ...
18:52: westbaystars - ... the field.
18:52: westbaystars - So, we have a third out, and the score is 2-0.
18:53: westbaystars - That's all I can say for now.
18:53: westbaystars - ---
18:53: westbaystars - Bottom of Second
18:53: westbaystars - ---
18:53: westbaystars - Tamura leads off the second for the BayStars.
18:54: westbaystars - His second, third, and fourth at bats last night were all home runs.
18:54: westbaystars - Can he continue it here?
18:54: westbaystars - Tamura lifts the ball to right.
18:54: westbaystars - But not deep enough.
18:55: westbaystars - This one is fielded by Shima in right for the first out.
18:55: westbaystars - That brings up Taneda.
18:56: westbaystars - Some fans are holding up "Happy Birthday" cards for Taneda.
18:56: westbaystars - His first birthday at bat, though, is a ground out to LaRocca at second.
18:56: westbaystars - That brings up Uchikawa with two outs and nobody on.
18:57: westbaystars - Uchikawa also hit one of the seven home runs against the Carp last night.
18:57: westbaystars - Here, though, he drives the ball up the left field line, just inside the third base bag and past a diving Nomura.
18:57: westbaystars - The ball goes into the corner.
18:58: westbaystars - Uchikawa wastes no time in getting to and rounding second before the ball is brought back in.
18:58: westbaystars - That'll bring up catcher Aikawa.
18:59: westbaystars - Sasaoka doesn't come close with four pitches, and Aikawa takes an unintentionally intentional walk.
19:00: westbaystars - That puts runners at first and second with two outs and pitcher Kadokura at the plate.
19:01: westbaystars - Sasaoka strikes Kadokura out looking at four pitches.
19:01: westbaystars - That retires the side.
19:01: westbaystars - We had a two-out double and walk, but nothing to show for it.
19:02: westbaystars - At the end of two complete, Hiroshima leads 2-0.
19:02: westbaystars - ---
19:02: westbaystars - Top of Third
19:02: westbaystars - ---
19:04: westbaystars - LaRocca leads off the Hiroshima half of the third.
19:04: westbaystars - He lifts a high fly ball to shallow center.
19:04: westbaystars - Tamura comes in, makes the catch, one out.
19:05: westbaystars - Maeda comes up next.
19:06: westbaystars - Maeda handcuffs a pitch to Uchikawa at second.
19:06: westbaystars - Uchikawa throws to first, and we have two quick outs.
19:06: westbaystars - That brings up Arai.
19:07: westbaystars - Arai lifts a high fly to the first base side and behind the plate.
19:08: westbaystars - Aikawa goes over, and makes the catch in foul territory for the final out.
19:08: westbaystars - The Carp go down in order for the first time, but continue to lead 2-0.
19:08: westbaystars - ---
19:08: westbaystars - Bottom of Third
19:08: westbaystars - ---
19:09: westbaystars - We go from the top of the order in Ishii this inning.
19:10: westbaystars - Ishii grounds the ball back up the middle and between Sasaoka's legs.
19:10: westbaystars - The ball keeps going past second and into center for a base hit.
19:10: westbaystars - That brings up Kinjyoh.
19:14: westbaystars - On a one-strike, two ball count, and after two throws to first, Ishii swipes second with Kijyoh swinging and missing.
19:14: westbaystars - The announcers think it was a hit end run.
19:14: westbaystars - Ishii takes second, nonetheless.
19:14: westbaystars - The next pitch is low and inside, full count.
19:15: westbaystars - The payoff pitch is low and inside, but swung on and missed.
19:15: westbaystars - While the catcher didn't handle the ball cleanly, Kinjyoh heads back to the dugout.
19:15: westbaystars - That brings up Saeki.
19:16: westbaystars - Saeki is looking for three consecutive game MVPs.
19:17: westbaystars - He grounds the ball through the right side of the infield and into right.
19:17: westbaystars - Ishii kicks third, and as the ball is being played in right, heads home.
19:18: westbaystars - Shima comes up throwing home, but Ishii slides in safe before the throw.
19:18: westbaystars - Yokohama strikes back with a run.
19:18: westbaystars - Saeki holds with a single.
19:18: westbaystars - That brings up Woods.
19:20: westbaystars - But Woods goes down swinging for out number two.
19:20: westbaystars - That brings up Tamura.
19:23: westbaystars - Tamura works the count full.
19:24: westbaystars - Tamura takes strike three on the inside corner.
19:25: westbaystars - The BayStars answered with one run, and now trail after three complete 1-2.
19:25: westbaystars - ---
19:25: westbaystars - Top of Fourth
19:25: westbaystars - ---
19:26: westbaystars - *** Takult scores two in the top of the fourth to take a 2-1 lead over the Giants.
19:27: westbaystars - Nomura leads off the fourth for Hiroshima.
19:27: westbaystars - And he grounds the ball inside the third base bag and into the left field corner.
19:28: westbaystars - Nomura comes into second as the throw comes back. Lead off double.
19:28: westbaystars - That brings up Ishihara.
19:29: westbaystars - Ishihara pops the ball up back and to the right of the second base bag.
19:29: westbaystars - Uchikawa quickly calls for the ball, and makes the catch.
19:29: westbaystars - One down, runner remains at second.
19:30: westbaystars - Pitcher Sasaoka is next.
19:31: westbaystars - Firewords are just starting to be shot off at Yamashita Koen, for the annual "Opening of the Port" hanabi taikai.
19:31: westbaystars - Sasaoka strikes out swinging at an outside pitch.
19:32: westbaystars - That makes two outs with the leadoff runner still at second.
19:32: westbaystars - And we go to the top of the order in Ogata.
19:32: westbaystars - Fans are turning to watch the fireworks on the other side of the stadium.
19:33: westbaystars - I hope we can have some in the bottom half of the inning.
19:34: westbaystars - In the U.S., you get fireworks on the Fourth of July.
19:34: westbaystars - In Japan, July and August see large fireworks displays throughout Japan.
19:35: westbaystars - Fall four gets away from Aikawa and goes to the backstop.
19:36: westbaystars - Nomura heads over to third while Ogata takes first (kind of late).
19:36: westbaystars - That'll bring up Sheets.
19:37: westbaystars - Sheets watches strike three down the middle.
19:37: westbaystars - He didn't appear to agree with the call, but it sure looked good from here.
19:38: westbaystars - I think he may have a complaint for the first called strike, but not that one.
19:38: westbaystars - Nonetheless, that's the third out.
19:39: westbaystars - ---
19:39: westbaystars - Bottom of Fourth
19:39: westbaystars - ---
19:40: westbaystars - Taneda leads off the bottom of the fourth with a birthday hit to right-center.
19:40: westbaystars - Uchikawa comes up next.
19:41: westbaystars - He hit a double to left his first at bat.
19:44: westbaystars - Ookii.
19:44: westbaystars - There's no doubt about that one.
19:45: westbaystars - The ball sails over the left field Carp oen-dan, hits the upper most stands, and bounces back into the red.
19:45: westbaystars - The BayStars take a 3-2 lead with that big firework.
19:46: westbaystars - Aikawa follows with an attempted safety bunt to third, but is just thrown out at first.
19:46: westbaystars - That's the first out.
19:46: westbaystars - Kadokura lifts the ball to right, but right at Shima for out number two.
19:47: westbaystars - That brings us to the top of the order in Ishii with two outs and nobody on.
19:47: westbaystars - Ishii slaps the ball the other way to left, base hit!
19:48: westbaystars - After Uchikawa's at bat seemed to take forever, the pace is really picking up.
19:48: westbaystars - That brings up Kinjyoh.
19:50: westbaystars - On a pitch that almost hit Kinjyoh, Ishii takes off for second.
19:50: westbaystars - And he has second swiped for the second time this evening.
19:50: westbaystars - His seventh stolen base on the year.
19:51: westbaystars - The next pitch is grounded through the right side of the infield.
19:51: westbaystars - Ishii kicks third and heads home.
19:51: westbaystars - But Shima throws a one bound strike home, and Ishii is out, well blocked from reaching the plate.
19:52: westbaystars - But the BayStars got some fireworks off of Uchikawa's gyakuten two run home run, and now lead 3-2.
19:52: westbaystars - ---
19:52: westbaystars - Top of Fifth
19:52: westbaystars - ---
19:53: westbaystars - Shima leads off for Hiroshima.
19:54: westbaystars - He goes down swinging at a pitch up on the outside part of the plate.
19:54: westbaystars - One out.
19:54: westbaystars - LaRooca follows.
19:56: westbaystars - LaRocca grounds the ball right at Uchikawa, just right of second.
19:56: westbaystars - The throw to first is well in time, two outs.
19:56: westbaystars - That brings up Maeda.
19:57: westbaystars - Maeda lifts the ball to center. But not deep.
19:57: westbaystars - Tamura comes over, makes the catch, and Hiroshima goes down in order for the second time this evening.
19:57: westbaystars - ---
19:57: westbaystars - Bottom of Fifth
19:57: westbaystars - ---
19:58: westbaystars - The third base side fans still get to enjoy the Yokohama Bay fireworks over the first base side of the stadium.
19:59: westbaystars - Sawazaki comes in to pitch for Hiroshima in the fifth.
20:00: westbaystars - Saeki will be the first batter Sawazaki faces.
20:00: westbaystars - Sawazaki's first pitch is taken for strike one.
20:01: westbaystars - The next pitch is grounded to first.
20:01: westbaystars - Arai fields the ball jogging in, and touches first all in the same motion for the out.
20:02: westbaystars - That brings up Woods.
20:03: westbaystars - And with a swing, Woods knocks the ball over the Carp oen-dan in left, and out of Yokohama Stadium.
20:03: westbaystars - The Yokohama fireworks continue.
20:03: westbaystars - Inside and outside the stadium.
20:04: westbaystars - Tamura lifts the ball to center.
20:04: westbaystars - The fans give a big shout, but Ogata has to run in to make the catch.
20:04: westbaystars - Two outs.
20:05: westbaystars - That brings up Taneda, celebrating his 33rd birthday.
20:06: westbaystars - Taneda grounds the ball sharply to the left side, but Nomura fields the ball on a hop and throws Taneda out at first.
20:06: westbaystars - That retires the side, but not before Woods hit a huge home run out of the stadium to left.
20:07: westbaystars - At the end of five complete, Yokohama now leads 4-2.
20:07: westbaystars - ---
20:07: westbaystars - Top of Sixth
20:07: westbaystars - ---
20:10: westbaystars - Arai leads off the sixth inning.
20:10: westbaystars - He lifts the ball to the third base coach's box, where Taneda makes the catch.
20:10: westbaystars - One out.
20:10: westbaystars - Nomura follows.
20:13: westbaystars - Taneda fails to catch a fly ball into the cameramans' box on the left side.
20:14: westbaystars - Oh, the huge fireworks are going off over the first base side of the stadium. Beautiful.
20:14: westbaystars - The next pitch is grounded up the middle, Nomura has his third hit of the evening.
20:15: westbaystars - Batting for catcher Ishihara, Kimura comes up to pinch hit.
20:15: westbaystars - Hi, Habs-san. Having a good morning?
20:16: habs - Yokohama starting the second half on a little winning streak.
20:16: westbaystars - Kurihara is waiting on-deck to pinch hit for the pitcher.
20:16: westbaystars - Yea. Took the first two, trying for three in a row.
20:17: westbaystars - Kimura grounds the ball to Uchikawa at second.
20:17: westbaystars - The throw to second gets one, the throw to first is just late.
20:17: westbaystars - Safe.
20:18: westbaystars - That exchanges the runner at first, increasing the out count to two.
20:18: habs - Very good morning thank you.
20:18: westbaystars - Kurihara pinch hits for Sawazaki, Hiroshima's second pitcher of the evening.
20:18: westbaystars - And he grounds the ball up the middle, base hit!
20:19: westbaystars - Yokohama's bench is starting to move.
20:19: westbaystars - The infield meets at the mound, but nobody comes out of the first base dugout.
20:19: habs - Busy afternoon thou my son is pitching today.
20:19: westbaystars - Kadokura wipes the sweat from his face, and looks in to face Ogata, the top of the order.
20:20: westbaystars - Ah, so you'll have a full day of baseball? Ii, ne. (That's good, isn't it?)
20:20: westbaystars - Ogata lines the ball over Ishii at short and into left-center.
20:21: westbaystars - By the time the ball returns to the infield, one run is in and the runner at first is standing on third.
20:21: westbaystars - RBI single.
20:21: westbaystars - That brings the score to 3-4, still in favor of the 'Stars.
20:22: westbaystars - Sheets comes up next.
20:23: westbaystars - After a short meeting on the mound with the pitching coach, Kadokura throws a strike to Sheets, swung on and missed.
20:23: westbaystars - The next pitch is inside, ball one.
20:23: westbaystars - The first base umpire says he checked his swing.
20:23: habs - Very good day ahead. Fun to watch my son pitch. He has a scohlarship to a division 2 college for baseball..
20:23: westbaystars - Kadokura's third offering is low.
20:24: westbaystars - The next pitch is swung on and missed, 2-2.
20:24: westbaystars - Sheets was a bit in front of the changeup.
20:25: westbaystars - The next pitch is swung on and missed, strike three.
20:25: westbaystars - Sheets isn't pleased with himself.
20:26: westbaystars - Hiroshima managed to scrape a run together to make it a one run ball game.
20:26: westbaystars - They now trail Yokohama 3-4.
20:26: westbaystars - ---
20:26: westbaystars - Bottom of Sixth
20:26: westbaystars - ---
20:27: westbaystars - Tamaki comes in to pitch for Hiroshima.
20:27: westbaystars - It sounds like Hiroshima has also changed their catcher and first baseman.
20:29: westbaystars - Fireworks are still visible (and audible) over the first base side of the stadium.
20:29: westbaystars - Uchikawa lifts a high fly ball just right of the second base bag and behind it.
20:29: westbaystars - It's called and caught for the first out.
20:29: westbaystars - Catcher Aikawa follows.
20:30: westbaystars - Kura comes in to catch, Kurihara stays in the game at first.
20:31: westbaystars - Aikawa grounds out to LaRocca at second for the second out..
20:31: westbaystars - Furuki comes up to pinch hit for Kadokura, who pitched fairly well.
20:33: westbaystars - Furuki works the count full.
20:34: westbaystars - The next pitch is grounded to Sheets at short.
20:34: westbaystars - He's up with the ball, throws to first, and the side is retired.
20:34: westbaystars - The BayStars went down easilly that inning.
20:34: westbaystars - After sixe complete, they hold onto a 4-3 lead.
20:34: westbaystars - ---
20:35: westbaystars - Top of Seventh
20:35: westbaystars - ---
20:36: westbaystars - Ah, now they've got the camera from over the bay.
20:36: westbaystars - The fireworks are beautiful.
20:37: westbaystars - Looks like it might be winding down after an hour.
20:37: habs - What are the fireworks for?
20:37: westbaystars - Katoh comes in to pitch for the BayStars.
20:38: westbaystars - It's the annual "Opening of the Port" festival.
20:38: westbaystars - Shima leads off with a stand up double off the left field wall.
20:38: westbaystars - ... on the first pitch.
20:39: westbaystars - That brings up LaRocca, looking to add some fireworks from the Carp side.
20:39: westbaystars - July and August, all through Japan, there are fireworks festivals pretty much every weekend.
20:40: westbaystars - The one at Yokohama today is one of the larger ones.
20:40: westbaystars - LaRocca singles up the middle, base hit.
20:40: westbaystars - The throw home holds the runner at third, but LaRocca heads to second, and slides in before the throw back.
20:41: westbaystars - That puts runners at second and third with nobody out.
20:41: westbaystars - Maeda comes up to the plate, and Yokohama's pitch coach heads out to the mound.
20:42: westbaystars - Katoh hasn't impressed so far.
20:42: westbaystars - The announcers don't think another pitcher is ready, but Yamashita-kantoku comes out.
20:42: habs - Anyone warming up in the bull pen?
20:42: westbaystars - Tomioka is being called in to pitch.
20:42: westbaystars - Ready or not.
20:43: westbaystars - The bullpen at Yokohama is under the outfield stands, out of sight.
20:43: westbaystars - They'll show a camera from there on occasion, such as when Daimajin gets up and starts throwing.
20:45: westbaystars - Tomioka is done with his warm up pitches and now faces Maeda.
20:45: westbaystars - His first pitch is way up high, ball one.
20:46: westbaystars - The next pitch catches the outside part of the plate, strike one.
20:46: westbaystars - Tomioka's third pitch is popped up behind home plate.
20:47: westbaystars - Aikawa, leaning against the back stop, has the ball hit his glove and fall out.
20:47: westbaystars - Too nervous too close to the back net.
20:48: westbaystars - The next pitch is thrown to the backstock, way over Aikawa's head, and the runner scores from third.
20:48: westbaystars - LaRocca moves to third.
20:48: westbaystars - We have a tied ball game, 4-4.
20:49: westbaystars - The 2-2 pitch is lifted to right. Kinjyoh catches the ball and fires home.
20:49: westbaystars - But LaRocca holds on the off-like throw. He had a chance, but didn't risk it.
20:50: westbaystars - Asayama comes up to pinch hit for pitcher Tamaki in the number six slot.
20:50: westbaystars - We have a runner at third with just one out.
20:51: westbaystars - Asayama lines the ball up the middle, base hit!
20:51: westbaystars - LaRocca scores easily from third.
20:51: westbaystars - Hiroshima has taken the lead back.
20:51: westbaystars - 5-4.
20:52: westbaystars - We have a pinch runner coming in for Asayama. Morikasa.
20:52: westbaystars - Nomura comes up to the plate, and attemps a bunt.
20:53: westbaystars - Nomura is 3 for 3 so far this game.
20:53: westbaystars - He grounds the ball the other way to the left side.
20:53: westbaystars - Ishii makes a great play to get to the ball, but his throw to second is not in time (and high).
20:54: westbaystars - That's rulled an infield hit, making Nomura 4 for 4 on the evening.
20:54: westbaystars - Kura, who came into the game after starting catcher Ishihara was pinch hit for, come up.
20:55: westbaystars - He grounds to just about the same place as Nomura, but Ishii is able to throw to second for one,
20:55: westbaystars - the relay to first is in time, double play.
20:55: westbaystars - That retires the side, but not before the Carp put together two runs to take a 5-4 lead.
20:55: westbaystars - ---
20:55: westbaystars - Bottom of Seventh
20:55: westbaystars - ---
20:57: westbaystars - While the crowd claps and dances to "YMCA," Hiroshima's new pitcher warms up.
20:57: westbaystars - It's Amano.
20:58: westbaystars - "Heavenly Field" are the characters to his name.
20:58: westbaystars - The top of the BayStars' order leads off in Ishii Takuro.
20:59: westbaystars - Amano gets two quick strikes on Ishii.
20:59: westbaystars - After a waste pitch in the dirt, Ishii takes just inside to even the count at 2-2.
21:00: westbaystars - The next pitch is down the middle and swung on and missed. Strike three.
21:00: westbaystars - Kinjyoh follows.
21:01: westbaystars - He fails to lay down a safety bunt, the ball going foul to bring the count to two strikes and one ball.
21:02: westbaystars - The next pitch is pulled to Kurihara at first.
21:02: westbaystars - He fields the ball and takes it to the bag himself. Two quick outs.
21:02: westbaystars - That brings up Saeki, one of the heros the past two nights.
21:04: westbaystars - Battling off a few 2-2 pitches, Saeki takes ball three, full count.
21:05: westbaystars - The next pitch is lifted high to left-center.
21:05: westbaystars - Morikasa is over, and the left fielder makes the catch for out number three.
21:06: westbaystars - At the end of seven complete, the Carp lead 5-4.
21:06: westbaystars - ---
21:06: westbaystars - Top of Eighth
21:06: westbaystars - ---
21:07: westbaystars - We have a new pitcher for Yokohama: Kizuka.
21:08: westbaystars - Kurihara leads off for Hiroshima.
21:09: habs - Any news on Walker?
21:09: westbaystars - He's swinging at Kizuka's first pitch, but lines the ball foul past third.
21:09: westbaystars - The next pitch is lifted high to right.
21:09: westbaystars - Kinjyoh is there, and pulls it in for out number one.
21:10: westbaystars - No new news. I believe the Cedric has taken Walkers place on the top team.
21:10: westbaystars - Top of the order in Ogata.
21:10: westbaystars - And he splinters a fragment of his bat off on Kizuka's first pitch to him.
21:11: westbaystars - The ball going foul.
21:11: westbaystars - The next pitch is lifted high and to the right of home plate.
21:11: westbaystars - Aikawa calls it, and makes the catch just in foul territory.
21:12: westbaystars - Sheets is handcuffed with Kizuka's first pitch, hitting a one bounder back to Kizuka.
21:12: westbaystars - Kizuka picks up the ball, throws to first, and the side is retired in order.
21:13: westbaystars - Going to the bottom of the eighth, Hiroshima still leads 5-4.
21:13: westbaystars - ---
21:13: westbaystars - Bottom of Eighth
21:13: westbaystars - ---
21:14: westbaystars - Hiroshima changes pitchers to Ohtake ("Large Bamboo").
21:15: westbaystars - Tyrone Woods leads off.
21:17: westbaystars - The count is run full.
21:18: westbaystars - The shoubu pitch, swung on and missed, strike three!
21:18: westbaystars - Nice pitch.
21:18: westbaystars - Tamura, who hit three home runs in last night's game, comes up hitless so far tonight.
21:20: westbaystars - Ohtake strikes Tamura out, too, this time low and away.
21:20: westbaystars - That brings up Taneda.
21:21: westbaystars - Birthday boy Taneda comes up.
21:23: westbaystars - Taneda lifts a short fly to the left side.
21:24: westbaystars - Despite Nomura crossing in front him him, Sheets makes the catch for out number three.
21:24: westbaystars - The BayStars are retired in order again.
21:24: westbaystars - They's down to their last chance, down 4-5.
21:24: westbaystars - ---
21:24: westbaystars - Top of Nineth
21:24: westbaystars - ---
21:25: habs - Not good.
21:25: westbaystars - Saitoh takes the mound for Yokohama.
21:26: westbaystars - He's been really strugling lately.
21:26: westbaystars - No, this is not good.
21:26: westbaystars - At least, with a slim lead he's been struggling.
21:26: westbaystars - I hope that down by a run he can perform better.
21:27: westbaystars - Aka-Godzilla, Shima, leads off.
21:27: westbaystars - Saitoh's first pitch is called strike on on the outside corner.
21:29: westbaystars - After a foul ball, Shima lifts Saitoh's third offering to Ishii at short.
21:29: westbaystars - Ishii waits for the ball to come down, makes the catch, and we have our first out of the inning.
21:29: westbaystars - That brings up LaRocca.
21:29: westbaystars - LaRocca, with two down in the nineth last night hit a home run the other way to right off of Cedric.
21:30: westbaystars - That was the only run Cedric gave up.
21:30: westbaystars - LaRocca takes a brushback pitch for a ball to even the count at 1-1.
21:31: westbaystars - A couple pitches later, LaRocca takes strike three on a big curve ball. Nice pitch.
21:31: westbaystars - Two down.
21:31: westbaystars - Asai comes up as a pinch hitter and raps a single to left on the first pitch.
21:32: westbaystars - Two out single.
21:32: westbaystars - That brings up Morikasa.
21:33: westbaystars - And Morikasa slaps a single to center to put runners at first and second with two outs.
21:34: westbaystars - Actually, Asai came in to play first earlier. He wasn't a pinch hitter.
21:34: westbaystars - Nomura comes up next.
21:34: westbaystars - He grounds the ball to the right side.
21:34: westbaystars - Woods fields the ball, and throws wide of the covering Saitoh!
21:34: westbaystars - The runners all come around, one run in.
21:35: westbaystars - Two runs in.
21:35: westbaystars - THe throw to third is not in time.
21:35: westbaystars - One very large two run error.
21:35: westbaystars - That brings up Kura with Nomura on third and two outs.
21:36: westbaystars - They're ruling it an infield hit, but I don't think he'd have been safe.
21:36: westbaystars - Kura lifts the ball to shallow right. Uchikawa (second baseman) catches the ball just on the outfield grass, ...
21:36: westbaystars - ... and the side is retired.
21:37: westbaystars - As the teams change side, LaRocca and a few others are shouting at each other, and both benches clear.
21:38: westbaystars - I'm not sure what that was about, but LaRocca seemed to have a beef with somebody.
21:38: westbaystars - The brush-back pitch?
21:38: westbaystars - Nonetheless, Hiroshima added two on a big two out error and now lead 7-4.
21:38: westbaystars - ---
21:38: westbaystars - Bottom of Nineth
21:38: westbaystars - ---
21:39: westbaystars - Uchikawa leads off the BayStars' last chance.
21:39: habs - That error was a big one.
21:42: westbaystars - Ohtake got two quick strikes on Uchikawa, threw his complentary waste pitch,
21:42: westbaystars - ... then Uchikawa has fouled off a number of pitches.
21:43: westbaystars - Until finall striking out on a slider low and away.
21:43: westbaystars - One out.
21:43: westbaystars - That brings up pinch hitter Suzuki Takanori.
21:45: westbaystars - Suzuki-kun goes down swinging on four pitches. Two down.
21:45: westbaystars - The BayStars are down to their final out.
21:45: westbaystars - Murata comes in to pinch hit.
21:47: westbaystars - Murata grounds the ball up the middle.
21:47: westbaystars - Sheets fields the ball in front of the second base bag.
21:47: westbaystars - He throws to first, and the ball game is over.
21:47: westbaystars - ****
21:47: westbaystars - Game Final
21:47: westbaystars - Hiroshima 7 - 4 Yokohama
21:48: westbaystars - ***
21:48: westbaystars - It was a see-saw game.
21:48: westbaystars - Hiroshima took the lead early with single runs in the first two innings.
21:48: habs - Not to much happened for Yokohama last ininngs.
21:48: westbaystars - Then Yokohama game back and passed Hiroshima in the following three innings.
21:49: westbaystars - Hiroshima's relief did a great job at holding Yokohama the last few innings, giving them a chance to come back.
21:50: westbaystars - Yokohama really nees to look into someone who can hold the game for middle relief.
21:51: habs - That is for sure. Strong relief pitchers make a difference.
21:51: westbaystars - Hiroshima's Ohtake was very impressive.
21:52: westbaystars - He doesn't even look like he's 20 years old yet.
21:52: habs - Also didn't help that they could not get on base.
21:53: westbaystars - He was born in May of 1983, so I guess he's 21.
21:53: habs - How hard does he throw.
21:54: westbaystars - In other games, the Giants won 5-2 over Yakult.
21:54: westbaystars - Hanshin defeated Chunich 2-1.
21:54: westbaystars - Nippon Ham beat Lotte 12-1.
21:54: westbaystars - Kintetsu had a big 3 runs in the final inning to win a sayonara victory over Daiei.
21:55: habs - I see some teams are against the merger.
21:55: westbaystars - And Seibu vs. Orix is still going, Seibu leading 12-8 in the top of the 9th.
21:56: westbaystars - Ohtake varies his speed well. He's mostly in the low 130's, but then will throw in the high 140's.
21:57: westbaystars - The five Central League teams (Giants excluded) have voiced opinions against a single league, but not necessarily ...
21:57: westbaystars - ...
21:58: westbaystars - the merger between Orix and Kintetsu.
21:59: westbaystars - They agree that things are being decided too quickly without enough discussion.
21:59: westbaystars - The players have united and are all starting to seriously consider a strike to protest their exclusion in discussions.
21:59: habs - One of the comments said 30,000 seat stadium which they play at might add some teams?
22:00: westbaystars - That's one idea - expanding to a rural region with a 30,000 seat stadium.
22:00: westbaystars - But I don't think that the owners are considering it, yet.
22:01: westbaystars - The Players' Union said that they don't expect the farm players to strike since they don't earn as much.
22:01: habs - That's to bad.
22:01: westbaystars - But many of the 2-gun players have also voiced their opinion in favor of the Players' Union's decision.
22:03: westbaystars - The owners have been working with blinders on. Some are just now starting to see the peripery.
22:04: westbaystars - Kintetsu's owner mentioned last week that he saw a report from Live Door about how to make the team profitable.
22:04: habs - The owners meet in another week to discuss or did that fall through?
22:04: westbaystars - He acknowledged that there were some good ideas there, some that he himself had proposed.
22:04: westbaystars - But he sounded resigned to go through with the merger that has been started.
22:04: habs - Do you know what the report said?
22:05: westbaystars - I don't have the schedule with me, but the Tigers are meeting with the other Central League teams next week, ...
22:05: westbaystars - ... then the Giants.
22:06: westbaystars - I only remember a few of the points:
22:06: westbaystars - Have players paid in shares of the ball club.
22:06: westbaystars - Have the team have closer ties with the community - partially owned by the municipality.
22:07: westbaystars - (That's the one the current owner tried a couple years ago.)
22:07: westbaystars - And use the Internet to connect with fans, both team to/from fans and fans to/from fans.
22:08: westbaystars - That's the one I've been waiting for NPB teams to discover for a long time.
22:09: westbaystars - There was a fourth big category, but I don't recall what it was off hand.
22:11: habs - One article mention about the owner not wanting to talk to the player union. he mention about a jogekankei?
22:11: habs - What does that mean?
22:14: westbaystars - "Jyouge" is the characters for "up and down," meaning "Heirarchical."
22:14: westbaystars - "Kankei" means "having to do with."
22:15: westbaystars - So what Watanabe-owner (the Giants' owner and one in question) was saying is that...
22:16: westbaystars - ... it's a matter for someone higher to dictate to a subordinate.
22:16: westbaystars - And a subordinate shouldn't be talking back.
22:17: habs - Not a good whey to resolve a problem.
22:18: westbaystars - There is also a rumor circulating that this same owner (or his immidiate subordinates) are bribing some players ...
22:18: westbaystars - ... with up to a year's salary to be against the strike and/or for the merger.
22:19: westbaystars - No, it's not a good way. And as someone pointed out, it's not a legal way, either.
22:19: habs - He really wants the merger.
22:20: westbaystars - He really wants to shape Japanese baseball into a form that he can better manage.
22:20: westbaystars - With the Pacific League being separate, he has little control or influence over thoese teams.
22:21: westbaystars - By reducing the number of teams and merging into one league, he'll gain full control over all of the baseball world.
22:22: habs - That's not good for baseball.
22:22: westbaystars - *** Seibu just finished defeating Orix 13-8.
22:22: westbaystars - Exactly. That's why the players and fans are fighting it.
22:23: westbaystars - The owners only see that they'll get a share of the Giants' pie.
22:24: westbaystars - It's like companies who partern with Microsoft. They think they're going to be rich,
22:24: westbaystars - ... but they end up stripped of everything of value and thrown out in a few months.
22:26: habs - Maybe the other owners will see it before it's late.
22:27: westbaystars - The Central League owners are wary about sharing their section of Giants' pie with the Pacific League.
22:27: westbaystars - That makes inter-league play very difficult to fatham.
22:27: westbaystars - Merger would eat into that section even more.
22:28: westbaystars - Presented to them that way, they're more willing to back down on the merger of the leagues scenario.
22:29: westbaystars - Watanabe did have them going, saying that it was to help out their poor Pacific League brothers.
22:30: habs - That's a good line.
22:31: westbaystars - Former Hanshin manager and now Special Director for the Tigers, Hoshino, got the Tigers' owner's ear.
22:32: westbaystars - He voiced that opinion, and the other Central League teams caved in soon thereafter.
22:32: westbaystars - Like they'd suddently woken up and realized what was going on.
22:33: habs - They got together with the other teams.
22:34: westbaystars - Right. So some sense is starting to spread between the Central League teams.
22:35: westbaystars - But I'm not sure it's enough.
22:36: westbaystars - Imagine if George Steinbrenner were the MLB Commissioner.
22:36: westbaystars - That's how much power Watanabe -owner has over NPB.
22:37: habs - Same thing happen here in our football league. teams moved out of town only to have in a couple years later a new team
22:37: habs - move back.
22:38: habs - George thinks at times he is. But is settling down with age.
22:39: westbaystars - I thought Watanabe was going to. And he even started off the season saying that he was going to ...
22:39: westbaystars - ... stop commenting on how baseball is run.
22:40: westbaystars - But he hasn't lived up to that, still not reliquishing ownership as he said he would do a few years ago.
22:40: westbaystars - He keeps holding on and trying to take over more.
22:40: habs - Even thou I'm a Red Sox fan the Yankees always find a way to win.
22:42: westbaystars - Even though Microsoft produces inferior products, they continue to win.
22:42: westbaystars - It's all about leveraging your advantage.
22:43: habs - That's for sure.
22:43: westbaystars - The Yankees, Yomiuri Giants, and Microsoft have control over key issues in their respective domains.
22:43: westbaystars - Most importantly, they control key desision makers.
22:44: habs - And it's fun to cheer on the underdogs.
22:44: westbaystars - It's not what you know, but who you know.
22:44: westbaystars - Always!
22:45: westbaystars - Well, it's been fun chatting with you. But I have to go do the dishes and get ready for bed.
22:45: westbaystars - I hope this has cleared up some of what you've been reading.
22:45: habs - You did another good job. I also have to ready for son's game.
22:46: habs - Yes it was help full.
22:46: westbaystars - Tell him, "gambatte" ("do your best!").
22:46: westbaystars - Take care.
22:46: habs - Well see you next week
22:46: habs - I'll tell him. he throws 88 mph.