Pacific League Playoffs: Second Stage, Game 5

No, I won't leave you in suspense to the bottom of the page. The Seibu Lions took the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in one of the most exciting ten inning games this season. In short:

Daiei scored first with a solo shot by Johjima. Seibu turned the game around with three runs in the sixth. Iguchi brought Daiei to within one with a solo home run. Then the Hawks tied the game with a double, sacrifice and a base hit in the bottom of the nineth.

In the tenth inning, Seibu retook the lead with a lead-off double, sacrifice bunt, and a sacrifice fly. That was the difference in the game as the Lions won 4-3.

The Seibu Lions are the 2004 Pacific League Champions.

For the full exciting store, read the transcript below:

TRANSCRIPT generated on 2004/10/11 22:20
CHATROOM Pacific League Playoffs: Second Stage Game V/Seibu Lions vs. Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
MODERATORS westbaystars

17:53 westbaystars: Arakaki will get the start for Daiei this evening.
17:53 westbaystars: Matsuzaka for Seibu.
17:53 westbaystars: ---
17:53 westbaystars: --- Top of First
17:53 westbaystars: ---
17:59 westbaystars: Hi, Martin. One more minute to go.
18:00 westbaystars: The clock chimes 6:00.
18:00 Martin: Hello, The Lions final chance for the Japan Series.
18:00 westbaystars: Arakaki is on the mound and ready to go.
18:00 westbaystars: The first pitch to Satoh is grounded right to Iguchi at second.
18:00 Martin: I hope Matsuzaka has a good day.
18:00 westbaystars: One pitch, one out.
18:01 westbaystars: I'd like to see it 0-0 through to the 8th or 9th.
18:01 westbaystars: Next up is Akada.
18:01 westbaystars: He takes ball one in the dirt, and the ball goes back to the backstop.
18:01 westbaystars: The second pitch is fouled back, one and one.
18:02 westbaystars: Akada then grounds out to Iguchi for out number two.
18:02 westbaystars: Fernandez follows.
18:03 westbaystars: Fernandez is swinging at the first pitch, and lifts it high to the right side of the infield.
18:03 westbaystars: Matsunaka calls it running in.
18:03 westbaystars: He makes the catch in foul terriroty between first and home.
18:03 westbaystars: The Lions are down in orderr in the first.
18:03 westbaystars: ---
18:04 westbaystars: --- Bottom of First
18:04 westbaystars: ---
18:04 westbaystars: Daiei shakes their order up again, for the second night in a row.
18:05 westbaystars: They'll send Shibahara, Deguchi, then Iguchi to face Matsuzaka in the first.
18:06 westbaystars: Matsuzaka has finished his warm up pitches and is ready to face Shibahara.
18:06 westbaystars: Matsuzaka's first pitch is taken for strike one on the outside corner.
18:06 westbaystars: The next pitch is fouled off to the left side, two quick strikes.
18:07 westbaystars: Matsuzaka's third pitch misses outside for ball one.
18:07 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is grounded to Takagi at second.
18:07 westbaystars: One out.
18:07 westbaystars: Miyaji follows.
18:08 westbaystars: He takes strike one.
18:08 westbaystars: The second pitch misses outside, one and one.
18:08 westbaystars: The 150 kph third pitch is taken outside for ball two.
18:09 westbaystars: Foul ball evens the count at two and two.
18:09 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is inside, but swung on and missed, strike three.
18:09 westbaystars: That brings up Iguchi.
18:10 westbaystars: Iguchi is swinging at the first pitch, but fouls it off to the right side and out of play.
18:10 westbaystars: Matsuzaka's second pitch misses inside, ball one.
18:11 westbaystars: The next pitch is outside, just missing the cornerr, ball two.
18:11 westbaystars: Another outside pitch, one strike, three balls.
18:11 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is high and tight, watched for ball four.
18:12 westbaystars: The Hawks get the first base runner of the game.
18:12 westbaystars: That brings up Matsunaka.
18:12 westbaystars: Matsunaka was swinging big and missing on the first pitch for strike one.
18:13 westbaystars: Matsuzaka's next pitch misses high and away, ball one.
18:13 Martin: He is just hitting .071 but he is still a dangerous batter.
18:13 westbaystars: A pitch low and away misses for ball two.
18:13 westbaystars: He only has one hit in Stage II.
18:14 westbaystars: 0 for something like his last 16.
18:14 westbaystars: The next pitch is low and in, but swung on and missed. Two and two.
18:14 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is fouled off at the plate. The count remains two and two.
18:15 Martin: That's not much for the triple crown king: 0 for 16
18:15 westbaystars: The next pitch is low, just handed off a bounce by Noda.
18:15 westbaystars: Full count.
18:16 westbaystars: Fouls one back behind the back net. Still full count.
18:16 westbaystars: No, Matsunaka hasn't been anywhere near Triple Crown form this series.
18:16 westbaystars: And he grounds the next pitch to Takagi at second, who throws to first for the out, and the side is retired.
18:17 westbaystars: The Hawks managed to get a runner on base, but strand him.
18:17 westbaystars: At the end of one complete, there is no score.
18:17 westbaystars: ---
18:17 westbaystars: --- Top of Second
18:17 westbaystars: ---
18:17 Martin: Cabrera and Wada will be next at bat.
18:18 westbaystars: Yep, Cabu, Wada, and Kaizuka this inning.
18:18 Martin: Wada is hot at the moment with .467 and 2 hr's.
18:19 westbaystars: The big Venezualan takes ball one for the first pitch from Arakaki.
18:19 westbaystars: The next pitch is over for a called strike one.
18:19 westbaystars: Another beautiful strike down the middle and in the lower part of the strike zone.
18:20 westbaystars: The next pitch is bounced high in front of the plate.
18:20 westbaystars: Johjima calls for the ball, and throws Cabrera out at first.
18:20 westbaystars: One out.
18:20 westbaystars: Wada comes up.
18:20 westbaystars: Wada had a bad start, but has, as you say, performed very well lately.
18:21 westbaystars: The count runs to two strikes, one ball.
18:22 westbaystars: The fourth pitch misses up high, two and two.
18:22 westbaystars: Slider misses outside and in the dirt, full count.
18:23 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is fouled back and out of play. Count remains full.
18:23 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is fouled off to the right side.
18:24 westbaystars: The eighth pitch is watched on the outside part of the plate, strike three!
18:24 westbaystars: Wada heads back to the dugout, Kaizuka comes up.
18:24 westbaystars: Kaizuka finally broke out of his big slump with his first (and only) hit last night.
18:25 westbaystars: After taking ball one, he fouls one off to the left side to even the count at one, one.
18:26 westbaystars: Arakaki's third pitch is fouled off to the left side, strike two.
18:26 westbaystars: He just manages to tip the ball into thee dirt, hitting Johjima between the legs.
18:27 westbaystars: Johjima shakes it off a bit, and is ready.
18:27 westbaystars: The next pitch his grounded right to Iguchi at second, the throw to first in time, ...
18:27 westbaystars: ... and the side is retired in order again.
18:27 westbaystars: Arakaki has two perfect innings under his belt in this scoreless game.
18:27 westbaystars: ---
18:28 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Third
18:28 westbaystars: ---
18:28 Martin: Kaizuka hit .307 with 14 hr's this season.
18:29 Martin: He only played 8 games in 2003.
18:29 Martin: So he had a very good season this year.
18:29 westbaystars: Like Matsunaka, he's had serious trouble in this stage.
18:30 westbaystars: Johjima leads off the Hawks half of the SECOND (not third).
18:30 westbaystars: Matsuzaka misses with his first two offerings to Johjima.
18:31 westbaystars: The third pitch is lined right of the second base bag,
18:31 westbaystars: ... lunged at and caught at his shoe strings by Takagi.
18:31 westbaystars: One out.
18:31 Martin: Johjima is very hot, hitting .500, 2 hr's.
18:31 westbaystars: That brings up Valdez.
18:32 westbaystars: After two straight balls, Matsuzaka fools Valdez into swining and missing for strike one.
18:32 westbaystars: The next pitch is low, one strike, three balls.
18:33 westbaystars: A foul ball brings the count full.
18:33 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is pulled to the right side.
18:33 westbaystars: But right to Takagi at second.
18:33 westbaystars: The throw to first is in time, two outs.
18:34 westbaystars: Gee, there have been a lot of gound outs to second this game.
18:34 westbaystars: That brings up Zuleta.
18:34 westbaystars: Matsuzaka misses with his first two pitches, the second one looking pretty good.
18:35 westbaystars: The third pitch is down the middle, taken for strike one.
18:35 westbaystars: Matzukaka's fourth pitch is pulled through the gap on the left side of the infield, base hit.
18:36 westbaystars: The Hawks have a two out base runner for the second inning in a row.
18:36 westbaystars: Torigoe comes up to the plate.
18:36 westbaystars: The first pitch is in there for strike one.
18:36 Martin: He's also hitting .500. Not bad at all.
18:37 westbaystars: He's 5 for 10 in the Stage against Seibu.
18:37 westbaystars: Are you watching the game?
18:37 westbaystars: Two balls later brings the count to one strike, two balls.
18:37 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is fouled back, two and two.
18:38 Martin: No unfortunately not. I cannot find a source on the net.
18:38 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is fouled back.
18:38 Martin: Just looking at the tbs site and readind your text.
18:38 westbaystars: Oh. They had just flashed his record for the Stage, and you posted it.
18:39 westbaystars: Ah, TBS has the stage stats?
18:39 Martin: And trying to work a bit.
18:39 westbaystars: Oh, it's not a holiday over there?
18:40 Martin: Tbs shows all the stats till the last game and updates it after every at bat.
18:40 westbaystars: Torigoe grounds the ball up the middle.
18:40 Martin: Is it a holiday in Japan? Here in Holland we are working.
18:40 westbaystars: But Nakajima has him played there, fields the ball behind second base,
18:40 westbaystars: ... and goes to the bag himself for the force.
18:40 Martin: At least, i should be working, hahaha.
18:40 westbaystars: Yes, it's a holiday in Japan. Sports Day.
18:41 westbaystars: At the end of two complete, the game remains scoreless.
18:41 westbaystars: Don't laugh too loud, now. Don't want to get you in trouble.
18:41 westbaystars:
18:41 westbaystars: ---
18:41 westbaystars: --- Top of Third
18:41 westbaystars: ---
18:42 Martin: Oh that's ok, no worries.
18:42 westbaystars: Nakajima leads off the Seibu's third.
18:42 westbaystars: He grounds the first pitch to Matsunaka at first.
18:42 westbaystars: Matsunaka takes the ball to the bag himself, one out.
18:42 westbaystars: That brings up Noda.
18:43 westbaystars: 1 for 11 with 1 home run being his sole RBI in the Series.
18:43 Martin: Take a pitch.
18:43 westbaystars: Took one strike and one ball.
18:43 Martin: He only hitting .091.
18:43 westbaystars: The third pitch from Arakaki is taken out and low, ball two.
18:44 Martin: Were is Hosokawa?
18:44 westbaystars: And the fourth pitch is in the same place. One and three.
18:44 westbaystars: He pulled a muscle in his leg last night, coming out in the middle of the game.
18:44 westbaystars: Takes strike two. Full count.
18:44 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is lined to right.
18:45 Martin: Too bad.
18:45 westbaystars: Miyaji runs toward the line and makes a back handed grab.
18:45 westbaystars: Two outs.
18:45 westbaystars: That's the first ball to leave the infield for Seibu.
18:45 westbaystars: And number nine batting Takagi comes up next.
18:46 westbaystars: Hosokawa iced his leg last night, but it doesn't appear to have been enough.
18:46 Martin: He's hitting .231
18:46 westbaystars: I don't know if he'll be ready should they go to Nagoya next week.
18:46 Martin: Looks like the Hawks have better batting stats.
18:47 westbaystars: Takagi hits a long foul ball into the stands in right to even thee count at two and two.
18:47 Martin: Ready or not, I just hope the Lions will make it.
18:47 westbaystars: Over the season or series?
18:47 westbaystars: Oh-kantoku was counting on his hitting over his pitching.
18:47 westbaystars: But games two and three showed that he needed pitching.
18:48 Martin: First one more win against the Hawks. Then the JS.
18:48 westbaystars: After ball three and two more foul balls, Takagi draws a walk.
18:48 westbaystars: He's the first Seibu base runner of the evening.
18:49 westbaystars: Back to the top of the Lions' order in Satoh.
18:49 westbaystars: And he takes two consecutive called strikes.
18:49 Martin: Sato hit very good against the Fighters, but has only .250 against the Hawks.
18:50 westbaystars: The third pitch is a one bounder off the plate, swung on and missed.
18:50 westbaystars: The Lions are down in four this time.
18:50 westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the third, there is still no score.
18:51 westbaystars: ---
18:51 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Third
18:51 westbaystars: ---
18:51 westbaystars: A change of venue makes a big difference.
18:52 westbaystars: It's harder to plan for a short series than a full season.
18:52 westbaystars: Number nine batting Kawasaki leads off for Daiei.
18:53 westbaystars: Kawasaki broke out last night with his first two hits, becoming the hero of the game.
18:53 westbaystars: Kawasaki bunts the ball for a base hit, but Noda lets it go foul.
18:54 westbaystars: Oh, he did have a few hits earlier in the series, but then had an awful hitless streak.
18:55 westbaystars: Kawasaki here, though, grounds out to his counterpart Nakajima at short.
18:55 westbaystars: One out.
18:55 westbaystars: Back to the top of the order in Shibahara.
18:55 westbaystars: Matsuzaka gets two quick strikes on him.
18:56 westbaystars: The third pitch is watched high and away for ball one.
18:56 westbaystars: A foul ball keeps the count at two strikes, one ball.
18:57 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is lifted into foul territory behind the plate.
18:57 westbaystars: Noda throws his mask off, goes back, and makes the catch.
18:57 westbaystars: Two outs.
18:57 westbaystars: Miyaji to follow.
18:57 westbaystars: Miyaji grounds Matsuzaka's first offering to third.
18:57 westbaystars: Fernandez charges, fields, and throws to first.
18:58 westbaystars: The Hawks go down in order for the first time this evening.
18:58 westbaystars: At the end of three complete, there is still no score.
18:58 westbaystars: ---
18:58 westbaystars: --- Top of Fourth
18:58 westbaystars: ---
18:59 westbaystars: Number two batter Akada leads off the fourth inning against Arakaki.
19:00 westbaystars: 5 for 17 so far in Stage II.
19:00 Martin: Time for the Lions to score a run.
19:00 westbaystars: Akada squares to bunt for a hit, then takes the pitch for strike one.
19:00 westbaystars: The second pitch is a low line drive to left.
19:00 westbaystars: Valdez runs in and makes a shoe string catch!
19:01 westbaystars: Saving a base hit.
19:01 westbaystars: That brings up 8 for 18 (.444) Fernandez.
19:01 westbaystars: He takes two stright balls.
19:02 westbaystars: The third pitch is lifted high to the right side of the infield.
19:02 westbaystars: Iguchi doesn't have far to go to make the catch, two down.
19:02 westbaystars: Number four batting Cabrera comes up.
19:03 westbaystars: He's the designated hitter again tonight, which makes me think that he's still not 100%.
19:03 westbaystars: A strike, then a ball, one and one.
19:04 westbaystars: The third pitch to Cabu-chan is taken for strike two.
19:04 westbaystars: Nice pitch on the outside corner.
19:04 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is in the dirt, dug out well by Johjima.
19:04 westbaystars: Johjima scooped the ball like a first baseman.
19:05 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is lined right back at Arakaki and through the middle for a base hit.
19:05 westbaystars: That's the Lions' first hit of the night.
19:05 westbaystars: Cabrera has both wrists taped up.
19:06 westbaystars: Wada comes up next, and watches strike one down the middle.
19:06 westbaystars: The second offering is up high, ball one.
19:07 westbaystars: The next pitch is lined deep to left!
19:07 westbaystars: Valdez goes back, turns, looks,
19:07 westbaystars: ... fields the ball just over mid-way up the fense!
19:07 westbaystars: Cabrera cruises into third base, Wada settles with a long single.
19:08 westbaystars: The Lions have a big chance.
19:08 westbaystars: Kaizuka, though, kills it with a ground out to Iguchi at second.
19:08 westbaystars: ... on the first pitch.
19:09 westbaystars: Arakaki got into a pinch, but was out of it with one pitch.
19:09 Martin: I don't understand why he doesn't take a pitch
19:09 westbaystars: Some players do better on the first pitch.
19:09 westbaystars: Others (like me) can't help but swing at the first one.
19:10 westbaystars: (I tend to ground out to third on the first pitch EVERY time.)
19:10 westbaystars: ---
19:10 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fourth
19:10 westbaystars: ---
19:10 westbaystars: Iguchi leads off the Hawks half of the fourth.
19:11 westbaystars: Iguchi is swinging at the first pitch, and lifts it high to the right side of the infield.
19:11 westbaystars: Kaizuka calls for it, and makes the catch between the pitcher's mound and the first base line.
19:11 westbaystars: One pitch, one out.
19:11 westbaystars: Matsunaka faces Matsuzaka.
19:12 Martin: Do you play baseball or softball?
19:12 westbaystars: He give the ball a right to right center!
19:12 westbaystars: But not deep enough.
19:12 westbaystars: Akada is under it a little in front of the warning track.
19:12 westbaystars: And makes the catch for out number two.
19:12 westbaystars: Softball.
19:13 westbaystars: Had softball practice yesterday morning, and my legs still ache.
19:13 westbaystars: That brings up Johjima.
19:14 westbaystars: 1 for 18 against Matsuzaka during the season.
19:14 westbaystars: He lifts the ball just left of center and deep!
19:14 westbaystars: Akada goes over and back, turns, and watches the ball sail into the stands!
19:14 westbaystars: Home run!
19:15 westbaystars: Matsuzaka didn't even turn to watch the ball.
19:15 westbaystars: He knew.
19:15 westbaystars: The Hawks take a 1-0 lead.
19:15 westbaystars: That brings up Valdez.
19:16 westbaystars: Matsuzaka is shaken, throwing three straight balls.
19:16 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is down the middle, taken for strike one.
19:17 westbaystars: The fifth pitch, though, is in the dirt and inside, ball four.
19:17 westbaystars: Araki-pitching coach heads out to the mound.
19:18 westbaystars: Matsuzaka up until now has thrown 65 pitches, striking out 1, allowing 2 hits, 2 walks, and 1 home run for 1 run.
19:19 westbaystars: Zuleta sends the first pitch deep to right-center!
19:19 westbaystars: Akada comes over, looks, the ball hits the middle of the fense!
19:19 westbaystars: Valdez rounds third, heads home.
19:19 westbaystars: The throw!
19:19 westbaystars: Noda blocks the plate and touches Valdez out!
19:20 westbaystars: A strike of a throw to allow Noda an effective block.
19:20 westbaystars: That's the third out of the inning.
19:20 westbaystars: But it comes after Johjima hits a lead taking home run.
19:20 westbaystars: At the end of four complete, the Hawks take a 1-0 lead.
19:20 westbaystars: ---
19:20 westbaystars: --- Top of Fifth
19:20 westbaystars: ---
19:21 westbaystars: Nakajima leads off the fifth inning.
19:22 westbaystars: Arakaki misses with the first two pitches to Nakajima.
19:22 westbaystars: The third pitch is fouled away on the right side.
19:22 westbaystars: Arakaki just misses Nakajima's face bringing the count to one strike, three balls.
19:23 westbaystars: The fifth pitch gets the upper part of the strike zone bringing the count full.
19:23 westbaystars: The full count pitch is lined pretty much at Miyaji in right. One out.
19:24 westbaystars: That brings up Noda, who made that great block to end the fourth.
19:24 westbaystars: He takes ball and strike one respectively.
19:25 westbaystars: The third pitch bounces past Johjima to the back stop. Ball two.
19:25 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded up the middle just right of the second base bag and through for a base hit!
19:25 westbaystars: The Lions get a one out base runner.
19:26 westbaystars: That brings up the bottom of the Lions' order in Takagi.
19:26 westbaystars: Arakaki's first pitch, after a long pause, is taken for strike one.
19:26 westbaystars: The second pitch is low for ball one.
19:27 westbaystars: Another low pitch after a long pause, ball two.
19:28 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is fouled off for strike two, two and two.
19:28 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is fouled the other way, the count remaining two and two.
19:29 westbaystars: Seibu's third base coach gets everyone's attention and sends out some signs.
19:29 westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch is swung on and fouled off into the stands on the left side.
19:30 westbaystars: The seventh pitch is swung on and just foul tipped. Takagi stays alive.
19:30 westbaystars: The eighth pitch is grounded on a high bound to Torigoe at third.
19:31 westbaystars: He fires to second for one.
19:31 westbaystars: The relay to first is *not* in time. Safe at first.
19:31 westbaystars: So with the out count increasing to two, the runner at first is interchanged.
19:31 westbaystars: That brings up pinch hitter Ozeki.
19:32 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku isn't waiting to go to the bench.
19:32 westbaystars: Ozaki lifts the second pitch to the left side and foul.
19:33 westbaystars: Torigoe goes over, and in front of the Lions' dugout, makes the catch.
19:33 westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:33 westbaystars: The Lions go down quietly again.
19:33 westbaystars: Going to the bottom of the fifth, the Lions continue to trail 0-1.
19:33 westbaystars: ---
19:33 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fifth
19:33 westbaystars: ---
19:33 Martin: I also play softball. We played 15 games this season: won 14 and lost one. Do you play competion games?
19:34 Martin: We only play on friday nights.
19:34 westbaystars: We generally have tournamants twice or three times a year.
19:34 westbaystars: Practice second and fourth Sundays every month.
19:34 Martin: Do you practice often?
19:34 westbaystars: But we do have a practice game next weekend against a collage team.
19:35 westbaystars: Then the first Sunday next month is the big fall tournament.
19:35 Martin: Is it fastpitch or slowpitch?
19:35 westbaystars: Torigoe leads off for Daiei.
19:36 westbaystars: Medium pitch? Some throw fast, some slow, most in between.
19:36 westbaystars: Torigoe grounds out to Takagi at second for the first out.
19:36 Martin: Hahaha, we have the same. Somewhere in between.
19:36 westbaystars: That brings up last night's hero Kawasaki.
19:37 westbaystars: Our more recent ace throws pretty hard, but the more stable ace throws in between.
19:37 westbaystars: He also plays in an "over 65" league.
19:38 westbaystars: Kawasaki watches strike three go by for the second out.
19:38 westbaystars: Ozeki stays in the game in right for Seibu, having replaced Satoh.
19:39 westbaystars: That brings up Shibahara.
19:39 westbaystars: Our softball team is made up of players in their 20s to their 70s.
19:39 Martin: Over 65 league! Wow! our players are between 28-40.
19:40 westbaystars: Shibahara lines the ball to the right-center gap!
19:40 westbaystars: By the time Akada fields the ball off the wall and throws it back in, Shibahara is sliding into second, safe!
19:40 westbaystars: It would have been close had the throw not been off line.
19:41 westbaystars: That brings up Miyaji.
19:42 westbaystars: Miyajim pulls the ball through the hole on the right side, hit!
19:42 westbaystars: Shibahara rounds third and heads home.
19:42 westbaystars: The throw to Noda is up the line, but Shibahara can't get around him!
19:43 westbaystars: Noda takes the throw and tags Shibahara out, hard on the head!
19:43 Martin: Out?
19:43 Martin: Yes!!!
19:43 westbaystars: Shibahara looks a little shaken up, but eventually gets up and head in for his glove.
19:43 westbaystars: That's two Hawks out at the plate tonight.
19:44 westbaystars: At the end of five complete, the Hawks continue to lead 1-0.
19:44 westbaystars: ---
19:44 westbaystars: --- Top of Sixth
19:44 westbaystars: ---
19:45 westbaystars: Arakaki has thrown 74 pitches so far now, striking out two, allowing three hits, one walk, and no runs.
19:45 westbaystars: Akada leads off for the Lions, taking strike one.
19:46 westbaystars: The second pitch is lined over Kawasaki and into left field, base hit.
19:46 westbaystars: The Lions get their lead-off runner on for the first time this game.
19:46 westbaystars: And with Fernandez coming up, that's not what Arakaki wants to do.
19:46 westbaystars: Despite getting Fernandez to pop out to the infield twice so far.
19:47 Martin: Do you think he will bunt?
19:47 westbaystars: The first pitch misses low, ball one.
19:47 westbaystars: No way!
19:48 westbaystars: With Higashi-kantoku or Mori-kantoku, maybe.
19:48 westbaystars: But not with Itoh-kantoku.
19:48 westbaystars: The next pitch misses just low? outside? Ball two.
19:48 westbaystars: The third pitch is outside, ball three.
19:49 westbaystars: Johjima looks into the dugout for a sign, shakes his head, and squats down to relay to Arakaki.
19:49 westbaystars: The fourth pitch gets the outside corner, called strike one.
19:49 westbaystars: Fernandez was hoping to head to first, but comes back.
19:50 westbaystars: After looking in a long time, the home plate umpire calls time.
19:50 westbaystars: We set up again, the fifth pitch, is taken low. Ball four.
19:50 westbaystars: That's Arakaki's second walk of the night.
19:50 westbaystars: Oh-kantoku is now pacing in the first base dugout.
19:51 Martin: And Cabrera is now at baT!
19:51 westbaystars: The infield converges on the mound. Arakaki agrees with everyone all around.
19:51 westbaystars: And, as Martin points out, Cabrera steps up to bat.
19:51 westbaystars: Cabrera didn't ground into a single double play during the half season he played.
19:51 Martin: Now is the moment!
19:52 westbaystars: The first pitch is swung on big and missed. Strike one.
19:52 westbaystars: The second pitch is called ball one low? outside? Looked pretty good to me.
19:53 westbaystars: Cabrera hits the ball toward the hold on the right side off the handle.
19:53 westbaystars: But Matsunaka dives and gets the ball.
19:53 westbaystars: He tosses to Arakaki covering first for the out.
19:53 westbaystars: Ont out, runners at second and third.
19:54 westbaystars: And Johjima stands up to allow Wada to take first.
19:54 westbaystars: Kaizuka is on deck.
19:54 westbaystars: Wada takes ball four.
19:55 westbaystars: And Itoh-kantoku sends up Ishii Yoshihito to pinch hit.
19:55 westbaystars: He's 3 for 6 against Arakaki during the regular season.
19:56 westbaystars: The first pitch is fouled back for strike one.
19:56 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku was clapping, encouraging his agressiveness.
19:56 westbaystars: The second pitch is outside, one and one.
19:56 westbaystars: The third pitch it fouled back for strike two.
19:57 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is also fouled back.
19:57 westbaystars: Looks like he's consistantly swinging just a little late.
19:58 westbaystars: Arakaki's fifth pitch is in the dirt, taken for ball two. Two and two.
19:58 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is hit deep to left!
19:58 westbaystars: Valdez goes back, looks up!
19:59 westbaystars: It's off the top of the fense!
19:59 westbaystars: One run in.
19:59 westbaystars: Two runs in!
19:59 westbaystars: Gyakuten.
19:59 Martin: Yatazooooo!
19:59 westbaystars: The former BayStar hits a two run double off the left field wall.
19:59 westbaystars: The Lions take a 2-1 lead.
20:00 westbaystars: Nakajima gets a free pass as Johjima stands up.
20:00 westbaystars: On deck is Noda.
20:00 westbaystars: Four wide pitches are completed, Johjima heads to first.
20:00 westbaystars: One out, bases loded.
20:01 westbaystars: Noda at bat.
20:01 westbaystars: He got his second hit of the Stage his last at bat.
20:02 westbaystars: Arakaki misses with his first two pitches.
20:02 westbaystars: Hitting the 100th pitch of the game for him.
20:02 westbaystars: The next pitch is called strike one on the outside corner.
20:03 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is down the middle, slightly to the outside, taken for strike two.
20:03 westbaystars: Two and two.
20:03 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is lifted deep to left.
20:03 westbaystars: That's deep enough to score Wada from third.
20:04 westbaystars: Valdez makes the catch, throws back to third, Wada scores.
20:04 westbaystars: The Lions take a 3-1 lead.
20:04 westbaystars: Takagi follows.
20:04 westbaystars: The first pich is down the middle, called strike one.
20:05 westbaystars: The second pitch is fouled away, strike two.
20:05 westbaystars: Arakaki's third pitch is way outside, ball one.
20:06 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is grounded to Iguchi at second.
20:06 westbaystars: He throws to first, and the side is retired.
20:06 westbaystars: But not before the Lions put three on the board with a two run double and sacrifice fly.
20:07 westbaystars: The Lions take a 3-1 lead.
20:07 westbaystars: ---
20:07 westbaystars: ---
20:07 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Sixth
20:07 westbaystars: ---
20:09 westbaystars: Matsuzaka goes into the sixth having thrown 80 pitches and striking out two.
20:09 westbaystars: Iguchi leads off for Daiei.
20:10 westbaystars: The first pitch is called strike one.
20:10 westbaystars: Matsuzaka's second pitch misses low and away.
20:10 westbaystars: The third pitch is lifted high to right.
20:10 westbaystars: Ozeki comes in, and makes the catch.
20:10 westbaystars: One out.
20:11 westbaystars: That brings up Matsunaka, 0 for his last 15.
20:11 westbaystars: The first pitch is pulled *just* foul up the right field line.
20:12 westbaystars: Fernandez, now at first, made a dive for the ball, but missed it.
20:12 westbaystars: Not that it matters now.
20:12 westbaystars: The second pitch misses outside, one and one.
20:12 westbaystars: The third pitch is high and away, ball two.
20:13 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is swung on and missed, way to high to hit.
20:13 westbaystars: Two and two.
20:13 westbaystars: Matsuzaka's two and two pitch is in the dirt, taken for ball three. Full count.
20:14 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is hit up the middle, base hit!
20:14 westbaystars: That's Matsunaka's first hit since he hit a home run his first at bat in Game 1.
20:15 westbaystars: Johjima follows, having hit a home run his last at bat.
20:15 MHtrStevie: Exciting game... wish I didn't have to get to work...
20:15 westbaystars: He fails to check his swing for strike one.
20:15 westbaystars: The next pitch is low, ball one.
20:15 westbaystars: Bummer. But real life interrupts, ne?
20:15 MHtrStevie: See you for the Japan Series, hopefully...
20:16 westbaystars: The third pitch misses low, one strike, two balls.
20:16 westbaystars: See you then. Take care.
20:16 westbaystars: Matsuzaka's fourth pitch is inside, called strike two. Two and two.
20:17 westbaystars: Johjima fouls off the next pitch inside.
20:18 westbaystars: And he fouls off another.
20:18 westbaystars: Matsuzaka misses way outside, Noda making a great save to get out there.
20:18 westbaystars: Full count.
20:19 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is fouled up the first base side, and into the stands behind the Hawks' dugout.
20:19 westbaystars: Fernandez gave a good chase.
20:19 westbaystars: Again, the full count pitch is lifted high to right.
20:19 westbaystars: Ozeki runs in, has plenty of time with the hang time on the ball,
20:20 westbaystars: ... and makes the catch for the second out.
20:20 westbaystars: That brings up Valdez.
20:21 westbaystars: With the count one and one on Valdez, Matsuzaka has thrown his 100th pitch of the game.
20:21 westbaystars: His 101st is fouled away to the left side.
20:21 westbaystars: Two strikes, one ball.
20:21 westbaystars: Arakaki comes out to throw the ball a bit.
20:21 westbaystars: I would have thought he'd have been done.
20:22 westbaystars: The next pitch misses inside, Valdez backing out of the way.
20:22 westbaystars: Two and two.
20:22 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is swung on and missed, strike three!
20:22 westbaystars: Matsunaka finally gets a hit, but is stranded at first.
20:23 westbaystars: At the end of six complete, the Lions lead 3-1.
20:23 westbaystars: ---
20:23 westbaystars: --- Top of Seventh
20:23 westbaystars: ---
20:25 westbaystars: Ozeki leads off grounding out for the first out against Arakaki.
20:25 westbaystars: Arakaki's second pitch of the inning misses way outside and goes to the backstop.
20:26 westbaystars: Ball one to Akada.
20:26 westbaystars: He gets the next two over, Akada swinging and missing the second.
20:26 westbaystars: Then Akada fouls the ball to his first base coach. Count remains two strikes, one ball.
20:27 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is swung on and missed, strike three.
20:27 westbaystars: Arakaki appears to have settled back down.
20:27 westbaystars: Let see how he does against Fernandez, though.
20:27 Martin: Time for Fernandez to get a hit now.
20:28 westbaystars: He walked him last time, leading to trouble.
20:28 westbaystars: Arakaki misses outside with his first pitch.
20:28 Martin: I would prefer a hr, hahaha.
20:28 westbaystars: Then Fernandez fouls the next pitch off to even the count at one and one.
20:28 westbaystars: The third pitch is low and away, ball two.
20:29 westbaystars: The next pitch is lifted to the right side.
20:29 westbaystars: Matsunaka goes out and, in foul territory, makes the catch.
20:29 westbaystars: Arakaki gets top of the Lions in order.
20:29 westbaystars: But still trails the Lions 1-3.
20:29 westbaystars: ---
20:29 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Seventh
20:29 westbaystars: ---
20:30 westbaystars: It's the Hawks' Lucky Seven, and as at Koshien, the fans set off their jetto fusen after the Hawks' fight song.
20:30 westbaystars: Should the Hawks win, this song will be all I hear shopping at Daiei next weekend.
20:31 westbaystars: Osada comes in to pitch for Seibu.
20:31 Martin: I hope not.
20:31 westbaystars: Matsuzaka finished of the sixth pretty well.
20:32 Martin: Is Matsuzaka tired?
20:32 westbaystars: But did surpass 100 pitches.
20:32 westbaystars: It didn't look like it.
20:32 Martin: Itoh is just saveing his arm. Good!
20:33 westbaystars: That would be my guess.
20:33 westbaystars: Zuleta leads off for the Hawks.
20:33 westbaystars: He takes strike one down the middle.
20:34 westbaystars: Osada's second pitch is swung on and missed, strike two.
20:34 westbaystars: The third pitch is up high, ball one.
20:35 westbaystars: A one bounder to the plate evens the count at two, two.
20:35 westbaystars: Coming in an hour earlier?
20:36 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is fouled back, count remains two and two.
20:36 westbaystars: The next pitch is waited on, then lifted high to the left side.
20:37 westbaystars: Nakajima calls it, and makes the catch.
20:37 westbaystars: That's the first out of the inning.
20:37 westbaystars: Torigoe follows.
20:37 westbaystars: He's 0 for 2 so far tonight.
20:37 westbaystars: The first pitch is called strike one on the inside corner, despite Noda fumbling it.
20:38 westbaystars: Next pitch is low and away, taken for ball one.
20:38 habs: morning,
20:38 westbaystars: Torigoe bunts the next pitch foul, trying for a bunted base hit.
20:39 westbaystars: Good morning, Habs-san.
20:39 westbaystars: Fouls the next pitch off, still two strikes, one ball.
20:39 westbaystars: Osada misses low and away with the next pitch, two and two.
20:40 westbaystars: The sixth pitch misses low, full count.
20:41 westbaystars: Torigoe fouls the next pitch off to the right side.
20:41 westbaystars: Pitch number eight is fouled off to the same place.
20:42 westbaystars: Another foul ball to the right side.
20:43 westbaystars: Osada's tenth offering is fouled back to the right side.
20:44 westbaystars: The 11th pitch to Torigoe is low and away, ball four.
20:44 westbaystars: Torigoe put up a good battle there.
20:44 westbaystars: Kawasaki comes up next.
20:44 westbaystars: Kawasaki is 3 for 4 against Osada during the regular season.
20:44 habs: good at bat
20:45 westbaystars: Arakaki has come out in front of the first base dugout and is loosening up.
20:46 westbaystars: A strike, then a ball high and away, one and one.
20:46 westbaystars: The third pitch misses high, ball two.
20:46 westbaystars: The announcers are getting antsy for a pitching change.
20:46 westbaystars: It's the Lions' announcers on the radio here.
20:47 westbaystars: Strike two, two and two.
20:48 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is called strike three on the outside part of the plate.
20:48 westbaystars: Nice pitch!
20:48 westbaystars: Noda wasn't ready for that pitch, and it his his left thigh.
20:49 westbaystars: Meanwhile, Hoshino comes in to pitch for Seibu.
20:50 westbaystars: There was a bit of a pause while Noda got something in the training room before coming back out.
20:51 westbaystars: Hoshino will face the top of the Hawk order in Shibahara.
20:51 westbaystars: Shibahara doubled his last at bat.
20:51 westbaystars: And takes a strike down the middle from Hoshino.
20:52 westbaystars: He's 0 for 3 against Hoshino during the regular season.
20:52 westbaystars: Next pitch misses way outside, Noda making a great reach to keep it from going to the backstop.
20:52 westbaystars: The next pitch, though, is ripped back up the middle and through for a base hit!
20:53 westbaystars: Torigoe goes to second and holds.
20:53 westbaystars: Runners at first and second with Miyaji coming up.
20:53 westbaystars: A pinch hitter was announced, but I missed the name.
20:54 westbaystars: Simultaniously, Itoh-kantoku came out and Onodera will take over on the mound.
20:55 westbaystars: Ohmichi comes in to pinch hit.
20:55 westbaystars: The first pitch is lines hard to left!
20:56 westbaystars: But right to Wada in left, playing him perfectly!
20:56 westbaystars: Three outs.
20:56 westbaystars: The Hawks threatened, but failed to score.
20:56 westbaystars: At the end of seven complete, the score remains Seibu 3 - 1 Daiei.
20:56 westbaystars: ---
20:56 westbaystars: --- Top of Eighth
20:57 westbaystars: ---
20:57 westbaystars: Hawk starter Arakaki is still on the mound.
20:58 westbaystars: He faces Shibata as a pinch hitter to lead off the eighth.
20:58 westbaystars: And Shibata takes strike one.
20:58 westbaystars: The next pitch is fouled just right of the first base bag. Strike two.
20:59 westbaystars: Arakaki's third pitch misses high, ball one.
20:59 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is swung on and missed, strike three.
20:59 westbaystars: One out.
21:00 westbaystars: Next up is Wada, meaning Shibata was pinch hitting for Cabrera.
21:00 westbaystars: I didn't think Cabu was 100%.
21:00 westbaystars: After a ball, Arakaki comes in for a called strike one. One and one.
21:00 westbaystars: The third pitch catches the outside part of the plate, strike two.
21:01 westbaystars: Arakaki's fourth pitch misses somewhere, maybe a little low?
21:01 westbaystars: Two and two.
21:01 westbaystars: The next pitch is low, but grounded to Kawasaki at short.
21:01 westbaystars: The throw to first is in plenty of time, two down.
21:02 westbaystars: Ishii, who came in the game as a pinch hitter, comes up.
21:02 westbaystars: Ishii grounds the ball to Igawa at second.
21:03 westbaystars: The throw to first, and the side is retired.
21:03 westbaystars: Daiei's got two more chances, trailing 1-3.
21:03 westbaystars: ---
21:03 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Eighth
21:03 westbaystars: ---
21:03 westbaystars: Onodera continues on the mound for Seibu.
21:04 westbaystars: He faces the heart of the Hawk order in Iguchi, Matsunaka, and Johjima.
21:05 westbaystars: Iguchi takes strike one.
21:05 westbaystars: The next pitch is in the dirt, the ball getting away from Noda.
21:05 westbaystars: The third pitch is hit deep to center.
21:05 westbaystars: Going, going, haitaaaaaaaaaa!
21:06 westbaystars: That's Iguchi's third home run of Stage II.
21:06 westbaystars: The Hawks are now one run down, 2-3.
21:06 westbaystars: That just barely cleared the tall wall just right of center.
21:07 westbaystars: Matsunaka follows.
21:07 westbaystars: He finally broke his 0 for 15 streak his last at bat with a single.
21:07 Martin: Oh, no!!!!!!!!!1
21:07 Liono: u made it ryan
21:07 westbaystars: The first pitch from Onodera is taken for strike one.
21:07 westbaystars: The next pitch misses low, one and one.
21:08 westbaystars: The noise level is rising for the first time since the fourth.
21:08 westbaystars: The next pitch is lifted high to the left side.
21:08 westbaystars: Ishii, at third base, comes over, but the ball goes into the stands.
21:08 westbaystars: Two strikes, one ball.
21:08 westbaystars: The next pitch misses up and away, two and two.
21:09 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is fouled off to the left side.
21:09 westbaystars: "Matsunaka, don, don, don." the chant goes.
21:09 westbaystars: And he takes ball three. Full count.
21:10 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is fouled off the left side. Count remain full.
21:10 westbaystars: With all hearts pounding hard, the next pitch is lifted high to center.
21:10 westbaystars: But this one isn't deep enough.
21:11 westbaystars: Akada comes over toward left and makes the catch.
21:11 westbaystars: One out.
21:11 westbaystars: Johjima, with a home run accounting for the Hawks' other run, comes up next.
21:11 westbaystars: He takes low for ball one.
21:12 westbaystars: The second pitch from Onodera is low and away, ball two.
21:12 westbaystars: The third pitch is inside, swung on and missed. One strike, two balls.
21:13 westbaystars: The fourth pitch, a fork, drops under Johjima's bat on the outside part of the plate, strike two.
21:13 westbaystars: Two and two.
21:13 westbaystars: The next pitch is in the dirt, watched for full count.
21:13 westbaystars: Noda is getting beat up a bit.
21:14 westbaystars: The full count pitch is inside, ball four!
21:14 westbaystars: Johjima trots up to first base.
21:14 westbaystars: Araki-pitching coach gets on the phone, then heads out to the mound.
21:15 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku follows, and Toyoda will face Valdez.
21:15 westbaystars: The radio announcers were sure it would be Hoashi.
21:18 westbaystars: One out, runner at first, Valdez swinging *big* at Toyoda's first pitch.
21:19 westbaystars: Toyoda's fork ball in the dirt is swung on and missed, strike two.
21:19 westbaystars: The next pitch is called strike three on the outside corner.
21:19 westbaystars: San kyu shoubu!
21:19 westbaystars: Two outs.
21:19 westbaystars: Runner still at first.
21:19 westbaystars: Zuleta comes up.
21:20 Liono: this is getting too nerve wrecking!!!
21:20 westbaystars: He has one home run in this Stage.
21:20 westbaystars: Ah, then I'm not the only one.
21:20 westbaystars: The second pitch is lifted the other way deep.
21:20 westbaystars: And it lands in the stands just to the right of the foul pole.
21:20 westbaystars: A long strike.
21:20 westbaystars: Two strikes, no balls.
21:21 westbaystars: The third pitch is low and away, but Zuleta fails to hold up.
21:21 westbaystars: The first base umpire rings him out.
21:21 westbaystars: Toyoda comes on and throws six straight strikes for two strike outs.
21:21 westbaystars: At the end of eight complete, the Hawks have made it a one run game.
21:22 westbaystars: The score is now Seibu 3 - 2 Daiei.
21:22 westbaystars: ---
21:22 Liono: nice pitching!
21:22 westbaystars: --- Top of First
21:22 westbaystars: ---
21:22 Martin: Ninth
21:23 westbaystars: ---
21:23 westbaystars: --- Top of Nineth
21:23 westbaystars: ---
21:23 westbaystars: Thanks.
21:23 westbaystars: Arakaki remains in the game.
21:23 westbaystars: He faces Nakajima to lead off the nineth.
21:24 westbaystars: Nakajima swings and misses his first pitch, strike one.
21:24 westbaystars: The second pitch is taken low, ball one.
21:24 Martin: This is going to be the most important inning of the series!
21:24 westbaystars: The third pitch is lifted to the right side, and it goes into the stands in foul territory.
21:25 westbaystars: Another foul to the first base side.
21:25 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is lifted to the right side.
21:25 westbaystars: This one bounces in the field area, but foul.
21:26 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is swung on and missed, strike three.
21:26 westbaystars: Had him chasing a low pitch on the outside part of the plate.
21:26 westbaystars: One out, nobody on.
21:26 westbaystars: Noda comes up to bat.
21:27 westbaystars: Noda takes ball one.
21:27 westbaystars: The second pitch is fouled back, one and one.
21:27 westbaystars: The third pitch is taken for a strike on the outside corner. Two strikes, one ball.
21:28 westbaystars: The pitch is in the dirt outside, Noda checks his swing.
21:28 westbaystars: Johjima doesn't appeal, the ball going to the backstop.
21:28 Martin: Hello Kaki-san. You'r just on time for the final inning.
21:28 westbaystars: The next pitch is called strike three on the inside corner.
21:29 westbaystars: Noda knew it, and headed back to the dugout as the umpire rung him up.
21:29 kaki: Yes! Enjoy the game Martin?
21:29 westbaystars: That's Arakaki's sixth strike out of the evening.
21:29 westbaystars: Takagi stands in.
21:29 Martin: Still enjoying the game as long as the Lions win.
21:29 westbaystars: 3 for 15 in the Second Stage so far.
21:30 westbaystars: Takagi takes ball one, then strike one.
21:30 westbaystars: The third pitch is low, ball two.
21:30 westbaystars: The next pitch is lifted high to the right side.
21:30 westbaystars: Matsunaka goes back a little, and in foul territory, makes the catch.
21:30 westbaystars: The Lions go down in order in the nineth.
21:31 westbaystars: The Hawks are down to their final three outs, trailing 2-3.
21:31 Martin: That was fast!
21:31 westbaystars: ---
21:31 kaki: I'll ask my wife to watch the game on TV the innings bottom!
21:31 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Nineth
21:31 westbaystars: ---
21:31 Martin: Number 8 and 9 will come at bat for the Hawks.
21:31 westbaystars: Arakaki has worked pretty quickly except in that fateful sixth.
21:32 kaki: Oh, really. I'll ask her now.
21:32 westbaystars: Toyoda is still on the mound for Seibu.
21:32 Martin: Just say to your wife that it is very important, hahaha.
21:32 westbaystars: Number eight Torigoe, as Martin says, leads off for Daiei.
21:32 westbaystars: Kawasaki is out on deck.
21:32 Martin: Go Toyoda!
21:32 Liono: 3 more outs please!!!!!!!!!!!
21:33 kaki: Sure. See you later Martin.
21:33 westbaystars: Torigoe swings a few time, then stands in.
21:33 westbaystars: He's 5 for 12 (.417) in the Second Stage so far.
21:34 westbaystars: The first pitch is fouled away to the right side. Strike one.
21:34 Martin: Lte's hope Toyoda will not give up a HR just like against the Fighters.
21:34 westbaystars: The second pitch is lined to left and deep!
21:34 westbaystars: It's off the wall!
21:35 westbaystars: The throw in to second, with Torigoe going in head first, is not in time!
21:35 westbaystars: Lead off double!
21:35 Martin: No!!!!!!!!!
21:35 westbaystars: Noda goes out and has a few words with Toyoda.
21:35 westbaystars: Kawasaki stands in.
21:36 westbaystars: He's struck out twice tonight.
21:36 westbaystars: He squares and bunts the ball back to Toyoda.
21:36 westbaystars: Toyoda looks at third, then fires to first, *just* in time.
21:36 westbaystars: Another second's hesitation and Kawasaki would have been safe.
21:37 westbaystars: The sacrifice is successful, the tying run is now at third.
21:37 westbaystars: Seibu's infield comes in for Shibahara.
21:37 westbaystars: Toyoda is pitching to Shibahara, who fouls off the first pitch.
21:37 Martin: Squeeze?
21:38 westbaystars: Matsuzaka looks on. emotionless from the dugout.
21:38 westbaystars: Shibata drills the ball through the left side. Base hit!
21:38 westbaystars: Torigoe scores from third!
21:38 westbaystars: We have a tie ball game!
21:38 westbaystars: 3-3.
21:38 Martin: Oh my god!
21:38 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku is going to the mound, not sending Araki-pitching coach.
21:39 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku heads back, no pitching change here.
21:39 westbaystars: It's Toyoda's.
21:39 westbaystars: Deguchi has been announced.
21:39 Martin: This is really exciting.
21:39 westbaystars: Pinch hitting.
21:40 westbaystars: Toyoda throws to first once, then comes home getting Deguchi swinging and missing for strike one.
21:40 westbaystars: The second pitch is low, but swung on and missed, strike two.
21:41 westbaystars: If the game is tied after 12 innings, Daiei is declared the PL champion.
21:41 westbaystars: Next pitch misses high, ball one.
21:41 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is outside, but Deguchi fails to hold up.
21:41 westbaystars: First base umpire rings him out.
21:42 westbaystars: Two outs, sayonara runner at first.
21:42 westbaystars: Iguchi at the plate.
21:42 westbaystars: Iguchi hit a home run his last at bat to make this a one run ball game.
21:42 westbaystars: After taking ball one, he swings and misses a fork ball in the dirt. One and one.
21:43 westbaystars: The third pitch is outside and in the dirt. Blocked well by Noda.
21:43 westbaystars: One strike, two balls.
21:43 westbaystars: Pitch number four is inside, one strike, three balls.
21:44 westbaystars: Oh-kantoku is up and anxious in the first base dugout.
21:44 westbaystars: The next pitch is fouled back, full count.
21:44 westbaystars: Toyoda sets, the pitch, it's lifted to right.
21:45 Martin: Please strike him out!
21:45 westbaystars: Ozaki comes running in full speed.
21:45 westbaystars: Running, running,
21:45 westbaystars: The ball land in, fair!
21:45 Martin: Pleae=se catch it!
21:45 westbaystars: With the runner going, he kicks third,
21:45 westbaystars: ... and is held up!
21:45 Martin: No!!!!!!!
21:46 westbaystars: Runners at second and third, two outs, Matsunaka at bat.
21:46 Martin: He would have been tagged out at home.
21:46 westbaystars: He finally got a hit earlier, his second of the Stage.
21:46 westbaystars: Two Hawks have already been tagged out at home.
21:46 westbaystars: Third base coach finally wisened up.
21:46 westbaystars: Strike one.
21:47 westbaystars: Ball one high and away.
21:47 westbaystars: The Hawks are ready to celebrate at the dugout entrance.
21:47 westbaystars: Foul ball. Two strikes, one ball.
21:47 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku is standing in the third base dugout as well.
21:48 westbaystars: Nakamatsu grounds the ball to Takagi at second.
21:48 westbaystars: The throw to first gets him, and the side is retired.
21:48 westbaystars: But not before the Hawks tied the game at 3-3.
21:48 westbaystars: We're going to extra innings.
21:48 westbaystars: ---
21:49 westbaystars: --- Top of Tenth
21:49 westbaystars: ---
21:49 westbaystars: The Hawks have 11 hits to the Lions' 5 through nine innings.
21:50 habs: You don't finish games even in playoffs?
21:50 westbaystars: But the Lions put them all together in the sixth inning for three runs.
21:50 westbaystars: It's still 12 innings.
21:50 westbaystars: If, at the end of five games, the number of wins for each team is the same,
21:50 habs: Because of the trains?
21:50 westbaystars: ... the team with the highest regular season winning percentage wins.
21:51 westbaystars: Commute is the main concern. And 12 innings is reasonable to that end.
21:51 westbaystars: Mise comes on to pitch for Daiei.
21:51 westbaystars: He'll face the top of the Lions' order in Ozeki.
21:52 westbaystars: Mise's first pitch is called strike one on the inside part of the plate.
21:52 westbaystars: Ozeki fouls the next pitch back, strike two.
21:52 westbaystars: The third pitch looks good, but is called ball one.
21:53 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is low and away, the third base umpire saying he held up.
21:53 westbaystars: Two and two.
21:53 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is fouled off of Ozeki's foot.
21:53 westbaystars: This game is as exciting as the final for the First Stage.
21:54 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is grounded up the first base side, and bounds over Matsunaka's head and heads into right!
21:54 westbaystars: Ozeki kicks first and head to second, safe!
21:54 westbaystars: Lead-off double.
21:55 westbaystars: Takanami comes in to run for Ozeki at second.
21:55 westbaystars: Akada comes up to bat.
21:55 westbaystars: After a throw to second, Akada shows bunt but takes ball one high.
21:56 westbaystars: The next pitch is bunted foul up the first base side.
21:57 westbaystars: The 1-1 pitch is bunted in front of the plate.
21:57 westbaystars: Johjima can only throw to first, where he records the first out.
21:57 westbaystars: Go ahead run now at third base with one out.
21:57 westbaystars: And Fernandez gets to bat with a runner in scoring position.
21:57 westbaystars: No, he won't get to bat.
21:58 westbaystars: With Shibata on deck, Johjima stands up and Fernandez gets a free pass.
21:58 Liono: what to do now?
21:58 westbaystars: Hope for a double play ball from Shibata.
21:58 Liono: no lions!!!!
21:59 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku comes out, and Inubushi will pinch hit for Shibata.
21:59 westbaystars: How's that, Liono-san?
22:00 westbaystars: Inubushi lines the first pitch to stright away center.
22:00 westbaystars: Shibahara catches the ball, fires home.
22:00 westbaystars: Too late! Takanami slides in safe!
22:00 westbaystars: The Lions take a 4-3 lead!
22:01 westbaystars: Fernandez moved to second on the throw home.
22:01 westbaystars: And Wada gets a free pass.
22:01 Martin: Yataaaaaaaaa!
22:01 Liono: amazing
22:01 Martin: This is really esciting!
22:01 westbaystars: Runners at first and second, two outs.
22:02 Liono: too much for me cant take it
22:02 westbaystars: Ueda comes up to the plate for the first time tonight.
22:02 westbaystars: He came in defensively earlier.
22:02 Liono: interesting move
22:03 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku wanted someone to get the ball to the outfield. Inubushi did it.
22:03 westbaystars: Two quick strikes, then Mise misses high.
22:03 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is low and in, two and two.
22:03 Liono: im glad its itoh and not ihara
22:04 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is fouled off to the right side.
22:04 westbaystars: Higashio was worse.
22:05 westbaystars: Ueda check swings the ball to Matsunaka at first.
22:05 westbaystars: He takes the ball to the bag himself, and the side is retired.
22:05 Liono: maybe but in that situation before ihara would have done some kind of bizzare play to get 3rd home
22:05 westbaystars: But not before the Lions manage a run with a lead-off double, sacrifice bunt, then
22:05 westbaystars: ... sacrifice fly.
22:06 westbaystars: The Hawks find themself down to three outs for the second time in two innings.
22:06 westbaystars: ---
22:06 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Tenth
22:06 westbaystars: ---
22:06 westbaystars: T. Ishii comes in to pitch for Seibu.
22:07 westbaystars: Johjima leads off for Daiei.
22:07 westbaystars: His home run in the fourth was the first run of the game.
22:08 westbaystars: Ishii's first pitch is lined to center.
22:08 westbaystars: But he didn't get much of the ball, the ball blooping right to Akada.
22:08 westbaystars: One pitch, one out.
22:09 westbaystars: Valdez follows.
22:09 westbaystars: The first pitch to Valdez is high and away, ball one.
22:09 westbaystars: Nobody is sitting in the Hawks' dugout.
22:09 westbaystars: Valdez fouls the next pitch off.
22:10 westbaystars: Third pitch misses low and away, ball two.
22:10 westbaystars: The next pitch is fouled back, two and two.
22:11 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is grounded to the right side.
22:11 westbaystars: Fernandez plays the ball, tosses to Ishii covering, two outs.
22:11 westbaystars: Daiei is down to their last out.
22:11 westbaystars: Zuleta comes up to bat.
22:12 westbaystars: He's got a single and double on the night.
22:12 Liono: please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
22:12 westbaystars: The first pitch is up high, looking like it caught Noda off guard.
22:12 westbaystars: It almost sailed to the backstop.
22:12 westbaystars: The second pitch is high and away, ball two.
22:13 westbaystars: Ishii misses with the next pitch outside, no strikes, three balls.
22:13 westbaystars: Will he come in? Will Zuleta swing?
22:14 westbaystars: The next pitch sees Zuleta taking all the way, and the ball is away and low.
22:14 westbaystars: Ball four on four pitches.
22:14 westbaystars: We have a pinch runner for Zuleta. Honma.
22:14 westbaystars: Torigoe comes up to the plate.
22:14 westbaystars: Two down, bottom of the 10th, down by a run.
22:14 westbaystars: The first pitch is grounded to the right side.
22:15 westbaystars: Takagi fields the ball, throws to first, out!
22:15 westbaystars: The Seibu Lions are the 2004 Pacific League Champions!
22:15 westbaystars: This is the first time in two years the Lions take the championship.
22:15 westbaystars: Their 15th time.
22:15 Martin: Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
22:15 westbaystars: They throw Itoh-kantoku into the air.
22:16 westbaystars: Four and a half times.
22:16 Liono: absolutely unbeleivable
22:16 Martin: Go Lions!!!!!!
22:16 Martin: What a game!
22:16 westbaystars: ***
22:16 westbaystars: ***
22:16 Liono: i can now pay for the flight to the 2004 Japan Series
22:16 westbaystars: *** Game Final
22:16 westbaystars: ***
22:16 westbaystars: *** Seibu Lions 4 - 3 Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
22:16 westbaystars: ***
22:16 westbaystars: ***
22:17 Martin: See you at the Japan series.
22:17 westbaystars: See you next Saturday.
22:18 Liono: Thanks for the commentary
22:18 westbaystars: I'm exhausted.
22:18 westbaystars: If there aren't any questions, I'd like to post this and get some rest.
22:19 habs: Another job well done.
22:19 westbaystars: Have a good one, all