2004 Nippon Series: Game 4
Discussion in the NPB News forum
Comments
Re: 2004 Nippon Series: Game 4
[ Author: westbaystars | Posted: Oct 21, 2004 10:44 PM
| YBS Fan
]
I was right, it was hard to top Game 3 in excitement. Chunichi took this one pretty one sidedly. Yamai was the hero for Chunichi, but I didn't think he was that overwhelming.
Anyway, read on for the full account.
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2004/10/21 22:37
CHATROOM 2004 Nippon Series/Game 4
MODERATORS westbaystars
18:08 westbaystars: Tonight's starter for Seibu will be Chang.
18:09 westbaystars: Yamai Daisuke starts for the Dragons.
18:10 westbaystars: This comes as a surprise, as most of the press expected Kawakami to start Game 4 for Chunichi, ...
18:10 westbaystars: ... with Yamamoto, Domingo, and Kawakami again to follow.
18:11 westbaystars: They were expecting Kawakami to get three starts.
18:14 westbaystars: ---
18:14 westbaystars: --- Top of First
18:14 westbaystars: --
18:18 westbaystars: The Lions currently lead the Series 2 games to 1.
18:19 westbaystars: It's going to be hard to surpass the excitement of two grand slams in Game 3.
18:21 westbaystars: Chang, 9 and 8 in 22 appearances with a 3.70 ERA during the regular season finishes up his warm up pitches.
18:21 westbaystars: The first batter he faces is Araki.
18:22 westbaystars: The first pitch is down the middle, taken for strike one.
18:22 westbaystars: And Game 4 is underway.
18:22 westbaystars: The next pitch is lined right back at Chang, just missing him and heading into center field.
18:22 westbaystars: Lead-off base hit for the Dragons.
18:23 westbaystars: Ibata follows.
18:24 westbaystars: Chang is more concerned with Araki, throwing to first a few times before coming to the plate.
18:26 westbaystars: The two strike, one ball pitch misses low, and Araki heads for second.
18:26 westbaystars: He's in there ahead of the slide, safe!
18:26 westbaystars: Stolen base successful.
18:26 westbaystars: Two and two to Ibata.
18:28 westbaystars: Ibata fouls a couple of pitches off.
18:29 westbaystars: And he fouls off a few more.
18:31 westbaystars: Still 2 and 2, the 10th pitch to Ibata is lifted to right.
18:31 westbaystars: Satoh catches the ball in foul territory, and Araki touches up and heads for third.
18:31 westbaystars: The throw is close, but Araki is called safe!
18:32 westbaystars: That's one out, runner at third.
18:32 westbaystars: Tatsunami follows lifting the first pitch from Chang up to shallow left.
18:32 westbaystars: Nakajima goes out and makes the catch for the second out.
18:32 westbaystars: Alex comes up next.
18:33 westbaystars: After Ibata took so long, it's good to see a quick out.
18:33 westbaystars: Alex grounds the ball weakly to the left side.
18:33 westbaystars: Fernandez cuts in front of Nakajima, throws to first, and gets Alex by a step and a half.
18:34 westbaystars: Chunichi threatened, but failed to score.
18:34 westbaystars: ---
18:34 westbaystars: --- Bottom of First
18:34 westbaystars: ---
18:35 westbaystars: Yamai takes the mound for Chunichi.
18:36 westbaystars: And his first pitch to Satoh is taken for strike one.
18:36 westbaystars: Yamai's second pitch gets the outside corner for strike two.
18:36 westbaystars: But he misses a bit more outside with his third pitch for ball one.
18:37 westbaystars: Satoh grounds the next pitch to Ibata at short.
18:37 westbaystars: A routine play, but made close with Satoh's speed.
18:37 westbaystars: He's the first out nonetheless.
18:37 westbaystars: Akada follows.
18:39 westbaystars: Akada works the count to two and two.
18:39 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded up the right side.
18:39 westbaystars: Yamai fields the ball, fires to first as Akada gets up the line quickly.
18:40 westbaystars: But the ball is off Linares' glove and falls behind him! E-3.
18:40 westbaystars: Akada is safe at first.
18:40 westbaystars: Fernadez follows.
18:41 westbaystars: The previous play was changed to E-1.
18:42 westbaystars: Yamai goes even to Fernandez, two and two.
18:42 westbaystars: The throw to first almost gets Akada leaning the wrong way.
18:43 westbaystars: But he's back in just before the tag.
18:43 westbaystars: That was close!
18:43 westbaystars: Another throw to first, Akada is leaning the wrong way again, out!
18:43 westbaystars: The throw was right to where Akada's hand was returning to the bag.
18:43 westbaystars: Waiting for him.
18:44 westbaystars: The next pitch misses outside, ball three. Full count.
18:44 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is grounded to third.
18:44 westbaystars: Tatsunami throws a one bounder to Linares, who fails to hold onto the short bound!
18:45 westbaystars: The ball rolls back to the pitcher's mound as Fernandez is safe at first.
18:45 westbaystars: E-5.
18:45 westbaystars: That's the Dragons' second error of the inning! And they've been solid in the field all season.
18:45 westbaystars: So, Cabrera gets a chance with a runner at first.
18:46 westbaystars: And two down.
18:46 westbaystars: Cabu is 4 for 10 (.400) with 2 home runs.
18:47 westbaystars: But he grounds to Tatsunami at third, who throws a strike to Linares at first this time.
18:47 westbaystars: That's the third out of the inning.
18:47 westbaystars: The Lions had their chances with two errors, but come up empty.
18:48 westbaystars: At the end of one complete, there is no score.
18:48 westbaystars: ---
18:48 westbaystars: --- Top of Second
18:48 westbaystars: ---
18:49 westbaystars: Linares leads off the second for the Dragons.
18:50 westbaystars: Chang gets two quick strike on him while still at commercial on TV Asahi.
18:50 westbaystars: They're doing it again.
18:50 westbaystars: And while at the fourth and fifth commercials after the start of play, Linares hits a huge home run!
18:51 westbaystars: Chunichi takes a 1-0 lead on the third pitch, and TV Asahi is still showing more commercials!
18:51 westbaystars: Tanishige follows.
18:51 westbaystars: And TV Asahi comes back to show Linares' back in the dugout.
18:52 westbaystars: The homer was to left.
18:52 westbaystars: Tanishige strikes out for out number one.
18:53 westbaystars: M. Takahashi, the designated hitter, bats next.
18:53 westbaystars: Chang continues throwing strikes, getting ahead two strikes, one ball.
18:54 westbaystars: After taking ball two, Takahashi grounds the ball toward the hole on the right side.
18:54 westbaystars: But Takagi makes a diving grab for the ball, comes up, and throws Takahashi out at first.
18:54 westbaystars: Fine play by Takagi!
18:54 westbaystars: That's the second out of the inning.
18:55 westbaystars: Inoue follows.
18:55 westbaystars: The radio announcer said that they're sold out, but the picture before the game showed a lot of empty seats.
18:56 westbaystars: I still see a lot of green in the stands.
18:56 westbaystars: And since I mentioned how well Chang was throwing strikes, he falls behind Inoue with three straight balls.
18:56 westbaystars: Then gets a gift call strike one.
18:57 westbaystars: The fifth pitch misses low, ball four.
18:57 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku now comes out to have a talk with the home plate umpire.
18:57 westbaystars: He's calling over the third base umpire, too.
18:57 westbaystars: He got a walk. What does he want?
18:58 westbaystars: Does he hope to get a balk call with Chang's long kick motion?
18:58 westbaystars: Anyway, he heads back and number nine batter Ohnishi comes up to bat.
18:59 westbaystars: Chang isn't pausing long in his deliveries here.
18:59 westbaystars: He's going right after Ohnishi much faster than he's been pitching from the wind up.
19:00 westbaystars: The count goes even, two and two.
19:00 westbaystars: The clock strikes 7:00.
19:00 westbaystars: This looks to be a slow paced game.
19:00 westbaystars: Ohnishi fouls off a couple of pitches.
19:01 westbaystars: Chang's 39th pitch of the game is out and away, ball three. Full count.
19:01 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is fouled off to the right side. We'll do it again.
19:02 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded to second.
19:02 westbaystars: Takagi has an easy play, and throws Ohnishi out at first.
19:02 westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:02 westbaystars: But not before Linares hits a home run to start the scoring for the game.
19:02 westbaystars: After one and a half, the Dragons taka a 1-0 lead.
19:02 westbaystars: ---
19:03 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Second
19:03 westbaystars: ---
19:04 westbaystars: Wada leads off the Lions' half of the second.
19:05 westbaystars: Wada takes the first pitch on the outside corner for strike one.
19:05 westbaystars: Yamai misses outside on the second pitch, one and one.
19:05 westbaystars: The third pitch is grounded to first.
19:05 westbaystars: Linares fields the ball, calls Yamai off, and takes the ball to first himself.
19:05 westbaystars: One out.
19:06 westbaystars: Designated hitter Hirao follows.
19:07 westbaystars: Count goes even to Hirao, two and two.
19:07 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is called strike three on the outside corner.
19:08 westbaystars: Looked kind of outside to me, but Yamai appears to be borderline outside all night.
19:08 westbaystars: That must be his specialty - hitting the corners.
19:08 westbaystars: Nakajima follows.
19:09 westbaystars: Nakajima grounds the ball back up the middle, past the second base bag on the left side, and into center.
19:09 westbaystars: Two out base hit.
19:09 westbaystars: That brings up Noda.
19:11 westbaystars: Yamai misses with three in a row to dig a hole for himself.
19:11 westbaystars: Noda checks the third base coach for the go ahead.
19:11 westbaystars: Looks like he got the "take it" sign as he watches strike one down the middle.
19:11 westbaystars: The fifth pitch misses outside, ball four.
19:12 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with two outs.
19:12 westbaystars: Number nine batting Takagi follows.
19:13 westbaystars: Yamai misses with his first two pitches to Takagi.
19:14 westbaystars: The third pitch is called strike one, low and on the outside corner.
19:14 westbaystars: Takagi is choked up on the bat, and fouls the next pitch off his own legs.
19:14 westbaystars: Two and two, two on, two outs.
19:15 westbaystars: The fifth pitch misses way outside, full count.
19:15 westbaystars: The runners will be on the move.
19:15 westbaystars: Yamai sets, throws,
19:15 westbaystars: foul ball.
19:16 westbaystars: Runners return.
19:16 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded to the hole on the left side!
19:16 westbaystars: Ibata makes a sliding, back handed grab.
19:16 westbaystars: He stands, and doesn't have anywhere to throw to!
19:16 westbaystars: Everyone is safe, all around.
19:17 westbaystars: Mori-pitching coach heads out to give Yamai and the infield some advice.
19:17 westbaystars: After two quick outs, the Lions have loaded the bases.
19:17 westbaystars: Number one batter Satoh stands in.
19:19 westbaystars: Satoh also chokes up on the bat a little, like Takagi.
19:19 westbaystars: Yamai throws four sliders outside, Satoh swings and misses two of them.
19:19 westbaystars: That brings the count to two and two.
19:20 westbaystars: The next pitch is a slider outside and low, swung on and missed! Strike three.
19:20 westbaystars: That retires the Lions stranding bases loaded.
19:20 westbaystars: At the end of two complete, the Dragons lead 1-0.
19:20 westbaystars: ---
19:20 westbaystars: --- Top of Third
19:20 westbaystars: ---
19:22 westbaystars: Recap of scoring: Linares lead off the second with a solo home run.
19:22 westbaystars: That's it so far.
19:22 westbaystars: The Dragons start the third with number one batter Araki.
19:23 MHtrStevie: Hello, and thanks for the recap...
19:24 westbaystars: Araki takes ball four for a lead-off walk.
19:24 westbaystars: While TV Asahi was at commercial, again.
19:25 westbaystars: The radio announcers are making a big deal about the lack of gum in Chang's mouth.
19:25 westbaystars: He's apparently usually chewing gum when he pitches.
19:25 westbaystars: Ibata follows.
19:25 westbaystars: Araki stole second in the first inning.
19:27 westbaystars: Chang, worried about Araki, misses with his first two throws to Ibata.
19:27 westbaystars: The third pitch is lifted to the right side and foul.
19:27 westbaystars: Cabrera moves over, and makes the catch between first and the first base dugout.
19:27 westbaystars: One out.
19:27 westbaystars: That brings up Tatsunami.
19:28 westbaystars: Araki is on the move on the first pitch!
19:28 westbaystars: The throw is on the money! He's out at second!
19:28 westbaystars: Two down.
19:28 westbaystars: The pitch was low for ball one, and Chang misses outside with the next pitch for ball two.
19:28 westbaystars: The third pitch is fouled off to the right side.
19:29 westbaystars: Tatsunami and the Dragons are finished off with a ground out to second.
19:30 westbaystars: So, the Dragons managed a base runner, but are out in three batters.
19:30 westbaystars: After two and a half, Chunichi continues to lead 1-0.
19:30 westbaystars: ---
19:30 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Third
19:30 westbaystars: ---
19:31 westbaystars: Both barrels are working in the first (Seibu) base bull pen.
19:31 westbaystars: Akada leads off for the Lions' third.
19:32 westbaystars: Yamai misses with his first three pitches.
19:33 westbaystars: After a strike, the fifth pitch is grounded to the right side.
19:33 westbaystars: Araki fields the ball, throws to first, one out.
19:33 westbaystars: That brings up Fernandez who reached on an error in the first.
19:34 westbaystars: He's swinging at the first pitch, and lines the ball back up the middle for a base hit!
19:34 westbaystars: That brings up the hero of Game 3, Cabrera.
19:35 westbaystars: Cabrera tied the Nippon Series record with 6 RBIs in a game with those two home runs.
19:35 westbaystars: Cabrera give the fans a thrill!
19:36 westbaystars: Until they realize that Alex is running in in center to make the play.
19:36 westbaystars: Two outs.
19:36 westbaystars: Wada comes up next.
19:36 westbaystars: Wada grounds the ball to Ibata at short.
19:37 westbaystars: Ibata throws the throw to second for the force, almost taking Araki off the bag with the wide throw.
19:37 westbaystars: But Araki holds on long enough for the third out of the inning.
19:37 westbaystars: At the end of three complete, the score remains Chunichi 1 - 0 Seibu.
19:37 westbaystars: ---
19:37 westbaystars: --- Top of Fourth
19:37 westbaystars: ---
19:40 westbaystars: Alex leads off with a home run while TV Asaki is still at commercial, again!
19:40 westbaystars: This is the second home run they've missed!
19:40 westbaystars: Chunichi takes a 2-0 lead.
19:41 westbaystars: Alex's home run was just a little right of center.
19:41 westbaystars: That brings up Linares, who led off the second with a home run.
19:42 westbaystars: The count runs full to Linares.
19:42 westbaystars: Who is 4 for 8 (.500), two home runs, two RBIs in the Series.
19:43 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch misses way outside and low, taken for ball four.
19:44 westbaystars: Araki-pitching coach heads out to the mound with Chang's interpreter.
19:44 westbaystars: Chang has thrown 61 pitches so far this evening in 3 and 0/3rd innings.
19:45 westbaystars: Tanishige follows.
19:45 westbaystars: He went down swinging his first at bat.
19:46 westbaystars: Chang work very slow again, and misses with his first two pitches to Tanishige.
19:46 westbaystars: I don't think Linares is that big a threat to run.
19:46 westbaystars: The next pitch is fouled off, one strike, two balls.
19:47 westbaystars: Most of the seats have been filled tonight. Still some empty spots, but not too many.
19:47 westbaystars: After another foul ball, the fifth pitch misses way outside, Noda making a great play to keep it from going to the ...
19:47 westbaystars: ... backstop.
19:48 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch, with Linares on the run, is grouned through the left side of the infield and into left!
19:48 westbaystars: The runner moving pulled Nakajima out of position to field the ball.
19:48 westbaystars: Linares heads into third on Tanishige's single.
19:49 westbaystars: Runners at first and third, nobody out, Takahashi at the plate.
19:49 westbaystars: I'm guessing that this is Chang's last chance.
19:50 westbaystars: And Chang gets Takahashi looking at strike three!
19:51 westbaystars: That's the first out of the inning. Runners still at first and third.
19:51 westbaystars: Inoue follows.
19:52 westbaystars: Inoue lifts the ball deep to right.
19:52 westbaystars: Going, going, haitaaaaaaaa!
19:52 westbaystars: Inoue's first Nippon Series hit is a three run home run to right!
19:52 westbaystars: That puts the Dragons up 5-0.
19:53 westbaystars: And Chang is knocked out as Araki-pitching coach heads out for the second time this inning.
19:53 westbaystars: Ohnuma will be coming in.
19:54 westbaystars: Ohnuma did a great job getting out of the bases loaded jam on Tuesday, but immediately dug himself a hole the next innin
19:54 westbaystars: ... inning.
19:54 westbaystars: Even when he got out of the pinch in the seventh, he struggled to throw strikes.
19:55 westbaystars: The Dragons helped by swinging at bad pitches.
19:56 westbaystars: Ohnishi is the first batter Ohnuma faces.
19:56 westbaystars: And Ohnuma's first pitch is taken for strike one.
19:56 westbaystars: After taking strike two, Ohnishi protects the plate and grounds the third pitch to the right of second base.
19:57 westbaystars: Takagi makes a great play, moving toward left and throwing over his sholder, just getting Ohnishi!
19:57 westbaystars: Two outs.
19:57 westbaystars: Another great play by Takagi!
19:58 westbaystars: That brings up the top of the order in Araki.
19:58 westbaystars: Ohnuma goes even two and two to Araki.
19:58 westbaystars: Araki lifts the 2-2 pitch to left-center.
19:58 westbaystars: Wada and Akada come over, Wada calls for it, and makes the catch.
19:58 westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:59 westbaystars: But not before the Dragons put another four runs on the board with a pair of home runs.
19:59 westbaystars: The Dragons now lead 5-0.
19:59 westbaystars: ---
19:59 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fourth
19:59 westbaystars: ---
20:00 MHtrStevie: All right, I must get to work... sorry I can't stay longer...
20:00 MHtrStevie: Hope to see you during Game 5!
20:01 westbaystars: See you.
20:02 westbaystars: The lead-off batter grounds out while at commercial on TV Asahi - again!
20:03 westbaystars: Nakajima comes up next, so that was Hirao who grounded out.
20:03 westbaystars: Yamai walks Nakajima on four straight pitches.
20:03 westbaystars: As well as he's pitching, he hasn't been able to get the Lions in order yet.
20:04 westbaystars: Noda follows.
20:05 westbaystars: Noda ducks out of the 1-1 pitch to bring the count to one strike, two balls.
20:06 westbaystars: The count runs full.
20:07 westbaystars: A foul ball, then a pick off attempt. Nakajima is back.
20:07 westbaystars: With Nakajima running, Noda lifts a fly ball to center.
20:08 westbaystars: Alex doesn't move more than a step to make the catch.
20:08 westbaystars: Nakajima returns to first without a throw.
20:08 westbaystars: That brings up number nine Takagi.
20:08 westbaystars: Takagi is swinging at the first pitch, grounding the ball to the right side.
20:08 westbaystars: Araki fields the ball, throws to first, and the side is retired.
20:08 westbaystars: The Lions continue getting base runners, but fail to have anything to show for them.
20:09 westbaystars: At the end of four complete, the Dragons lead 5-0.
20:09 westbaystars: ---
20:09 westbaystars: --- Top of Fifth
20:09 westbaystars: ---
20:11 westbaystars: Ibata leads off the first, and for the first time in a long time, TV Asahi is showing it.
20:11 westbaystars: It was a called strike, by the way.
20:11 westbaystars: Ohnuma misses with the next three pitches, though.
20:12 westbaystars: Ibata is at bat.
20:12 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded just foul at third, fielded by Fernandez if foul territory.
20:12 westbaystars: Full count.
20:12 westbaystars: The full count pitch is swung on late by Ibata for strike three.
20:13 westbaystars: He didn't swing until the ball was in Noda's mit!
20:13 westbaystars: With one out, Tatsunami comes up.
20:14 westbaystars: Ohnuma falls behind Tatsunami one strike, three balls.
20:14 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is lined to the left side, past a jumping Nakajima and into left.
20:14 westbaystars: Base hit!
20:14 westbaystars: Tatsunami just reached out and poked a half-liner to left.
20:15 westbaystars: That brings up number four batter Alex, who led off last inning with a home run.
20:16 westbaystars: Alex' comment on the home run was that it had been a while. He didn't remember when he hit #21 of the season.
20:16 westbaystars: Ohnuma is throwing much better tonight than he did on Tuesday.
20:17 westbaystars: Alex watches a changeup 2-2 pitch over the plate for strike three.
20:17 westbaystars: A nice pitch!
20:17 westbaystars: That's the second out of the inning.
20:17 westbaystars: And it brings up Linares, who hit one out to lead off the second.
20:18 westbaystars: Ohnuma gets ahead of Linares, two strikes, one ball.
20:19 westbaystars: The third pitch is outside and low, taken by Linares, Tatsunami swiping second off the pitcher.
20:19 westbaystars: A better throw would have had him.
20:20 westbaystars: But Ohnuma had ignored him, allowing Tatsunami a big jump.
20:20 westbaystars: Noda makes a good block on the next pitch, and the count is full.
20:20 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch to Linares is taken outside, ball four.
20:20 westbaystars: That's not a good sign.
20:21 westbaystars: And right after complementing Ohnuma's pitching.
20:21 westbaystars: Runners now at first and second with two outs.
20:21 westbaystars: Tanishige comes up to the plate.
20:21 westbaystars: He got a base hit to left his last at bat.
20:22 westbaystars: Tanishige lines the ball to left-center.
20:22 westbaystars: Tatsunami kicks third and heads home.
20:22 westbaystars: The ball goes to the wall.
20:23 westbaystars: Linares rounds third and heads home.
20:23 westbaystars: Tanishige in into second with a two RBI double.
20:23 westbaystars: The Dragons taka a 7-0 lead.
20:24 westbaystars: Takahashi follows with a runner at second and two outs.
20:24 westbaystars: Takahashi lifts the ball to the right side.
20:25 westbaystars: Cabrera makes the catch in the first base coach's box.
20:25 westbaystars: Three outs.
20:25 westbaystars: But not before the Dragons add two more on Tanishige's double to left-center.
20:25 westbaystars: After four and a half innings, the Dragons take a 7-0 lead.
20:25 westbaystars: ---
20:25 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fifth
20:25 westbaystars: ---
20:27 westbaystars: Satoh leads off the Lions' half of the fifth.
20:28 westbaystars: He grounds the ball through the right side of the infield, lead-off base hit1
20:28 westbaystars: Akada comes up next, and doesn't mess around with faking to bunt tonight.
20:28 westbaystars: Good.
20:28 westbaystars: That was annoying.
20:31 westbaystars: Instead, Akada watches strike three go by down the middle.
20:31 westbaystars: A slider coming over from the outside in.
20:31 westbaystars: Out number one.
20:31 westbaystars: Fernandez comes up with a runner at first and one out.
20:33 westbaystars: Yamai is hitting with his slider well.
20:33 westbaystars: He goes ahead of Fernandez two strikes, one ball.
20:33 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is low and away, Fernandez failing to check his swing.
20:33 westbaystars: The ball goes to the backstop.
20:34 westbaystars: Fernandez walks to the first base dugout while Satoh heads to second on the past ball.
20:34 westbaystars: That brings up Cabrera with a runner at second and two outs.
20:34 westbaystars: Cabu takes high, ball one.
20:36 westbaystars: Cabrera lifts a blooper to right, breaking his bat.
20:36 westbaystars: Inoue has a long run, and makes a shoe string catch for the out!
20:36 westbaystars: That retires the Lions in four batters yet again.
20:37 westbaystars: At the end of five complete, the Dragons lead 7-0.
20:37 westbaystars: ---
20:37 westbaystars: --- Top of Sixth
20:37 westbaystars: ---
20:41 westbaystars: Mitsui comes in to pitch for the Lions.
20:41 westbaystars: He misses with his first pitch, while TV Asahi is still at commercial yet again.
20:42 westbaystars: He comes back with strikes to Inoue, Inoue fouling two off.
20:42 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is lined into center field with a slicing motion to the ball for a base hit.
20:42 westbaystars: The Dragons have their lead-off runner on.
20:43 westbaystars: Number nine batting Ohnishi follows.
20:43 westbaystars: Ohnishi bunts the ball to the right side.
20:44 westbaystars: Mitsui fields the ball, turns and throws to second in time for the force.
20:44 westbaystars: There's no relay to first.
20:44 westbaystars: The Lions get the lead runner.
20:44 westbaystars: Hidenori comes on to pinch run for Ohnishi.
20:44 westbaystars: The top of the Dragons' order in Araki comes to bat.
20:44 westbaystars: And the first pitch is a short bound that gets away from Noda.
20:45 westbaystars: While Noda goes over to get the ball, Hidenori heads into second sliding head first (without a throw).
20:45 westbaystars: Runner at second, one out, Araki at bat.
20:47 westbaystars: The count goes full.
20:47 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is lined *just* over Cabrera's jump and into right!
20:47 westbaystars: Hidenori rounds third and heads home.
20:47 westbaystars: The Dragons go up 8-0.
20:47 westbaystars: Ibata follows.
20:49 westbaystars: Ibata grounds the ball to Nakajima, who throws to second for one, the relay to first is in time, double play.
20:49 westbaystars: But not before Araki bloops an RBI single to right to add another insurance run for the Dragons.
20:49 westbaystars: After five and a half, they now lead 8-0.
20:49 westbaystars: ---
20:49 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Sixth
20:49 westbaystars: ---
20:51 westbaystars: Number five batting Wada leads off the Lions' half of the sixth.
20:51 westbaystars: The Lions need a hand full of runs in a hurry to make this a game again.
20:52 westbaystars: Yamai misses with his first three pitches this inning.
20:53 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is taken down the middle for strike one.
20:53 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is pulled to the left side.
20:53 westbaystars: Tatsunami fields the ball moving toward second.
20:53 westbaystars: He throws to first in time, one out.
20:54 westbaystars: Hirao follows.
20:54 westbaystars: Yamai gets ahead of Hirao two strikes, one ball.
20:55 westbaystars: Just needed to warm up a little more?
20:55 westbaystars: The fourth pitch misses low and away, two and two.
20:55 westbaystars: The next pitch is bounced up the middle.
20:55 westbaystars: Ibata tries to field the ball running in on a second short hop, but the ball goes under his glove!
20:55 westbaystars: Base hit.
20:56 westbaystars: That's the Lions' fifth hit on the night, I belive.
20:56 westbaystars: Nakajima follows, who has a hit and has walked so far tonight.
20:57 westbaystars: Yamai misses with his first three pitches to Nakajima. What's with him?
20:58 westbaystars: He throws just strikes, then just balls.
20:58 westbaystars: The next pitch is a gift strike from the umpire, borderline at best.
20:58 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is called strike two, just on the outside corner and low.
20:58 westbaystars: Full count.
20:59 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch with the runner going is low and away, but swung on and missed!
20:59 westbaystars: The throw to second is *not* in time - safe!
20:59 westbaystars: It looks like Araki was spiked at second, and is down behind the second base bag.
21:00 westbaystars: Mori-pitching coach heads out to the mound. I expected a trainer to head out and see Araki.
21:00 westbaystars: Two pitchers are up in the Dragons' pen.
21:00 westbaystars: Mori-pitching coach returns to the dugout and reports to Ochiai-kantoku, sitting relaxed on his chair.
21:01 westbaystars: Y. Ishii comes up as a pinch hitter for Noda.
21:01 westbaystars: And Yamai gets two quick strikes on him. There he goes again!
21:02 westbaystars: And he watches strike three go by on four pitches!
21:02 westbaystars: A beautiful slider coming in for a strike from the outside to the left handed batter.
21:03 westbaystars: That finishes off the Lions again, stranding yet another runner.
21:03 westbaystars: At the end of six complete, the Dragons hold a commanding lead, 8-0.
21:03 westbaystars: ---
21:03 westbaystars: --- Top of Seventh
21:03 westbaystars: ---
21:05 westbaystars: The Dragons' oendan in left let off a large set of Dragon Blue jetto fusen.
21:05 westbaystars: This is something they don't do at Nagoya Dome, where balloons are outlawed.
21:05 westbaystars: Tatsunami leads off the seventh.
21:06 westbaystars: Ohnuma misses with three pitches, then gets a gift strike low from the home plate umpire.
21:06 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is over for strike two. Full count.
21:06 westbaystars: Hosokawa is now behind the plate.
21:06 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is lifted high and deep to right.
21:06 westbaystars: Satoh goes back to the warning track line, comes in a few steps, and makes the catch.
21:06 westbaystars: One long out.
21:07 westbaystars: That brings up Alex.
21:07 westbaystars: Alex lifts the ball deep to center.
21:08 westbaystars: Akada goes back, turns back around before reaching the warning track, and makes the catch.
21:08 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
21:08 westbaystars: Next up is Linares.
21:09 westbaystars: Linares pulls the ball up the third base line, fair!
21:09 westbaystars: Linares kicks first and heads to second for a stand up double.
21:10 westbaystars: Linares has reached base all four at bats tonight, streaching back to his final three at bats on Tuesday for ...
21:11 westbaystars: ... 7 consecutive plate appearances reaching base.
21:11 westbaystars: Tanishige follows.
21:12 westbaystars: And he takes a base on ball on five pitches.
21:12 westbaystars: Two outs, runners at first and second.
21:13 westbaystars: Takahashi comes up to bat.
21:13 westbaystars: Takahashi breaks his bat grounding the ball weakly up the middle-left side.
21:13 westbaystars: Nakajima rushes in, doesn't have a play at second, throws to first.
21:14 westbaystars: He *just* gets Takahashi by half a step at first.
21:14 westbaystars: That retires the Dragons in the seventh.
21:14 westbaystars: They continue to lead 8-0.
21:14 westbaystars: ---
21:15 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Seventh
21:15 westbaystars: ---
21:15 westbaystars: Ochiai Eiji comes in to pitch for the Dragons.
21:16 westbaystars: Yamai pitched very well through the first six inning. The Radio announcers give all credit to Tanishige's lead.
21:17 westbaystars: Takagi leads off for the Lions.
21:18 westbaystars: Takagi grounds the ball just left of second base.
21:18 westbaystars: Ibata fields the ball, fires quickly to first, and gets the speedy Takagi by half a step.
21:19 westbaystars: Nice streach and scoop by Linares at first to make that out happen.
21:19 westbaystars: Back to the top of the order in Satoh with one out and nobody on.
21:20 westbaystars: Satoh lines the ball back up the middle. Ochiai makes a quick stab for the ball, but it goes by too fast.
21:20 westbaystars: The ball heads into center for a one out base hit.
21:21 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku comes out and points to pinch hitter Ozeki for Akada.
21:21 westbaystars: The Lions aren't giving up yet.
21:21 westbaystars: And Ozeki isn't showing bunt.
21:21 westbaystars: They need more than one.
21:22 westbaystars: Ozeki pulls the ball to the right side.
21:22 westbaystars: Araki fields the ball slowly, throws to second for one,
21:22 westbaystars: but the relay back to first is *not* in time.
21:22 westbaystars: Safe at first.
21:23 westbaystars: That brings up Fernandez with two down and a runner on.
21:23 westbaystars: Fernandez lines the ball into the right-center gap!
21:24 westbaystars: Ozeki goes all the way around and scores!
21:24 westbaystars: Fernandez takes second standing up, and the Lions have their first run of the game.
21:25 westbaystars: Fernandez has an RBI in each of the last three games.
21:25 westbaystars: Cabrera follows.
21:26 westbaystars: Cabrera is coming out swinging, but missing Ochiai's first two offerings.
21:26 westbaystars: Tanishige sets up outside, but Ochiai comes over the outside part of the plate, fouled off by Cabu-chan.
21:27 westbaystars: The fourth pitch misses low and away for ball one.
21:27 westbaystars: Cabrera wasn't fooled.
21:27 westbaystars: The next pitch is in the same place, also taken to even the count at 2-2.
21:28 westbaystars: Ochiai almost hits Cabrera with the next pitch inside. Full count.
21:28 westbaystars: And Cabu didn't look too pleased with that near miss.
21:28 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is taken inside, ball four.
21:29 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with two outs and Wada coming up to the plate.
21:29 westbaystars: Wada has hit two out so far in this Series.
21:29 westbaystars: He takes strike one low and on the outside corner.
21:30 westbaystars: The next pitch is outside, and Tanishige throws to first where Cabu is way off the base!
21:30 westbaystars: But the throw pulls Linares off the base and he can't make the tag.
21:30 westbaystars: Cabrera got lucky there.
21:31 westbaystars: Ochiai misses low, one strike, two balls.
21:31 westbaystars: The fourth delivery is called strike two in the lower part of the zone.
21:32 westbaystars: Wada's got to protect the plate, and does so with the next pitch, fouling the outside borderline pitch back.
21:32 westbaystars: Two and two, two out, two on.
21:32 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded up the middle to the left side.
21:32 westbaystars: Ibata dives! Gets the ball!
21:33 westbaystars: He tosses to second from the ground and gets Cabrera.
21:33 westbaystars: That retires the side.
21:33 westbaystars: Seibu managed to score one, but stopped there.
21:33 westbaystars: At the end of seven complete, the Dragons lead 8-1.
21:33 westbaystars: ---
21:34 westbaystars: --- Top of Eighth
21:34 westbaystars: ---
21:35 westbaystars: Okamoto comes in to pitch for the Lions.
21:35 westbaystars: The first batter he faces is Inoue, who hit a three run home run to put this game pretty much out of reach.
21:36 westbaystars: He misses with his first pitch for ball one.
21:36 westbaystars: Ozeki stays in the game at right.
21:37 westbaystars: Inoue lifts the ball to left.
21:37 westbaystars: Wada comes in and makes the catch.
21:37 westbaystars: Satoh moves from right to center.
21:37 westbaystars: Hidenori, who came in as a pinch runner, stands in for the first time this evening.
21:38 westbaystars: He bounces a high bounder to the right side.
21:38 westbaystars: Takagi runs in, fields the ball, and throws the speedy Hidenori out.
21:38 westbaystars: Two outs.
21:38 westbaystars: That brings up to the top of the order in Araki.
21:39 westbaystars: Araki grounds the ball to the hole on the right side.
21:40 westbaystars: Takagi goes deep in the hole into shallow left to field the ball.
21:40 westbaystars: The throw to first is in time.
21:40 westbaystars: And the Dragons are down in order for the first time tonight.
21:40 westbaystars: I believe it's only the second time for three up, three down.
21:41 westbaystars: Still, they continue to lead by seven, 8-1.
21:41 westbaystars: ---
21:41 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Eighth
21:41 westbaystars: ---
21:42 westbaystars: In to pitch for Chunichi is Hirai.
21:42 westbaystars: Yamai threw 109 pitches through six innings, striking out six and allowing no runs.
21:43 westbaystars: Hirao leads off taking strike one.
21:44 westbaystars: Hirao grounds the ball right to Araki at second who throw him out.
21:44 westbaystars: One quick out.
21:44 westbaystars: The Lions have stranded 10 runners so far, at least one every inning.
21:44 westbaystars: Nakajima follows.
21:45 westbaystars: Hirai is ahead of him with two quick strikes.
21:45 westbaystars: The third pitch, with Tanishige set up outside, misses outside, naturally.
21:46 westbaystars: Nakajima drives the ball deep to straight away center.
21:46 westbaystars: Alex goes back, looks, haitaaaaaaaaa!
21:46 westbaystars: Nakajima hits a solo home run!
21:46 westbaystars: His second of the Series.
21:47 westbaystars: To the deepest part of the stadium.
21:47 westbaystars: The Lions now trail by six, 2-8.
21:47 westbaystars: Hosokawa comes up next, his first at bat of the game.
21:48 westbaystars: Hosokawa come in defensively after Noda was pinch hit for.
21:49 westbaystars: But he swings and misses his second 2-2 pitch to go down on strikes.
21:49 westbaystars: Two down.
21:50 westbaystars: Takagi follows.
21:50 westbaystars: He's swinging at the first pitch again, and lines it to right for a base hit!
21:50 westbaystars: That's the Lions' nineth hit on the night.
21:50 westbaystars: And we're back to the top of the order in Satoh.
21:51 westbaystars: With a runner on first and two outs.
21:52 westbaystars: The Lions game from being 36 times during the season, most in the league.
21:52 westbaystars: Satoh lifts the ball to the left side.
21:52 westbaystars: Ibata goes out, Inoue comes in.
21:52 westbaystars: And the ball lands in between the two!
21:53 westbaystars: With two outs, Takagi cruized into third on the bloop single.
21:53 westbaystars: That brings up Ozeki.
21:53 westbaystars: With runners at the corners and two down.
21:53 westbaystars: Two out rally for the Lions?
21:53 westbaystars: Clean-up is coming up next.
21:55 westbaystars: Hirai misses with his first three pitches to Ozeki.
21:55 westbaystars: 36 gyakuten victories was most in both leagues, by the way.
21:55 westbaystars: Hirai's fourth pitch is taken for strike one.
21:56 westbaystars: Ozeki takes the fifth pitch high and away, ball four.
21:56 westbaystars: The bases are loaded and Ochiai-kantoku stands up.
21:56 westbaystars: Ochiai heads out to the mound himself.
21:56 westbaystars: Hirai faces Fernandez and Cabrera next.
21:57 westbaystars: After talking with Hirai and the infield, Ochai-kantoku calls the home plate umpire over and tells him he's chaning ...
21:57 westbaystars: ... pitchers.
21:57 westbaystars: Iwase comes in.
22:00 westbaystars: Iwase's first pitch to Fernandez is taken low and inside, ball one.
22:00 westbaystars: 13 of 19 of Seibu's runs have been driven in by Fernandez, Cabrera, and Wada in this Series.
22:02 westbaystars: The count runs even to 2 and 2.
22:02 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is called strike three!
22:02 westbaystars: Nice pitch on the outside part of the plate, coming in to the right handed batter.
22:03 westbaystars: The Lions strand the bases loaded for the second time this evening.
22:03 westbaystars: That hurts.
22:03 westbaystars: They did score one on Nakajima's solo shot to center to bring the score to Chunichi 8 - 2 Seibu.
22:03 westbaystars: ---
22:03 westbaystars: --- Top of Nineth
22:03 westbaystars: ---
22:05 westbaystars: Okamoto is still on the mound for the Lions.
22:06 westbaystars: Ibata grounds out to second just as TV Asahi returns from commercials.
22:07 westbaystars: Tatsunami follows.
22:08 westbaystars: Okamoto runs the count to 2-2.
22:08 westbaystars: Then misses high and away for ball three. Full count.
22:09 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is fouled off to the right side.
22:09 westbaystars: Then a foul to the stands behing the third base dugout.
22:10 westbaystars: Another one to the left side.
22:10 westbaystars: Okamoto then misses high and tight, ball four.
22:11 westbaystars: Ibata gets a pinch runner, #46. I don't recognize him, and didn't catch his name.
22:11 westbaystars: Tsuchiya, it appears.
22:11 westbaystars: Up to bat is Alex.
22:13 westbaystars: Alex fouls off a number of two strike, one ball pitches.
22:13 westbaystars: Then Okamoto misses low and away to even the count at 2-2.
22:14 westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch is lifted just over the second base bag, past a diving Nakajima, and into center field.
22:14 westbaystars: Another bloop single for the Dragons.
22:14 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with one out.
22:15 westbaystars: Linares, who's reached base his last seven plate appearances, comes up next.
22:15 westbaystars: 5 for 5 with two walks and two home runs over that span.
22:16 westbaystars: The count runs 2 and 2.
22:17 westbaystars: Some fans have Cuban flags in the stands in support for this famous slugger.
22:17 westbaystars: After fouling one off, Linares takes ball three inside, full count.
22:18 westbaystars: Okamoto's shoubu pitch is fouled high to the right side.
22:18 westbaystars: Cabrera goes over, and makes the catch near the first base side bull pen fense.
22:18 westbaystars: That ends Linares' streak.
22:18 westbaystars: And marks out number two.
22:18 westbaystars: Tanishige follows with runners at first and second and two outs.
22:19 westbaystars: Tanishige has 9 RBIs in the Series so far. Four of them on his grand slam in Game 3.
22:20 westbaystars: The count goes even to Tanishige as the clock passes the four hour mark.
22:21 westbaystars: The count goes full to Tanishige.
22:22 westbaystars: We're in the top of the nineth, Chunichi up 8-2. Two outs, runners at first and second.
22:22 westbaystars: The runners are on the move, Tanishige lifts the ball high to right-center.
22:22 westbaystars: Ozeki comes over and makes the catch.
22:22 westbaystars: That retires the Dragons in the nineth.
22:23 westbaystars: The Lions need six to stay alive this game.
22:23 westbaystars: ---
22:23 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Nineth
22:23 westbaystars: ---
22:23 westbaystars: A break at work?
22:26 MHtrStevie: Just checking in quick... didn't expect game to still be going... =)
22:26 MHtrStevie: Have to duck out again fast... =)
22:32 westbaystars: Don't know what happened, but my connection to the U.S. appeared to have failed for a while.
22:32 westbaystars: To recap the inning,
22:32 westbaystars: Cabrera lead off with a base hit to center.
22:32 westbaystars: Wada popped out to the warning track in left.
22:33 westbaystars: Hirao then grounded into a double play to first.
22:33 westbaystars: The end.
22:33 westbaystars: ***
22:33 westbaystars: ***
22:33 westbaystars: *** Game Final
22:33 westbaystars: *** Chunichi Dragons 8 - 2 Seibu Lions
22:33 westbaystars: ***
22:33 westbaystars: ***
22:33 westbaystars: *** 2 Game to 2
22:33 westbaystars: ***
22:33 westbaystars: ***
22:36 westbaystars: Chunich has guaranteed a return to Nagoya on Sunday.
22:36 westbaystars: Game 5 will be tomorrow (Friday) at the same time.
22:37 westbaystars: See you all then.
Anyway, read on for the full account.
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2004/10/21 22:37
CHATROOM 2004 Nippon Series/Game 4
MODERATORS westbaystars
18:08 westbaystars: Tonight's starter for Seibu will be Chang.
18:09 westbaystars: Yamai Daisuke starts for the Dragons.
18:10 westbaystars: This comes as a surprise, as most of the press expected Kawakami to start Game 4 for Chunichi, ...
18:10 westbaystars: ... with Yamamoto, Domingo, and Kawakami again to follow.
18:11 westbaystars: They were expecting Kawakami to get three starts.
18:14 westbaystars: ---
18:14 westbaystars: --- Top of First
18:14 westbaystars: --
18:18 westbaystars: The Lions currently lead the Series 2 games to 1.
18:19 westbaystars: It's going to be hard to surpass the excitement of two grand slams in Game 3.
18:21 westbaystars: Chang, 9 and 8 in 22 appearances with a 3.70 ERA during the regular season finishes up his warm up pitches.
18:21 westbaystars: The first batter he faces is Araki.
18:22 westbaystars: The first pitch is down the middle, taken for strike one.
18:22 westbaystars: And Game 4 is underway.
18:22 westbaystars: The next pitch is lined right back at Chang, just missing him and heading into center field.
18:22 westbaystars: Lead-off base hit for the Dragons.
18:23 westbaystars: Ibata follows.
18:24 westbaystars: Chang is more concerned with Araki, throwing to first a few times before coming to the plate.
18:26 westbaystars: The two strike, one ball pitch misses low, and Araki heads for second.
18:26 westbaystars: He's in there ahead of the slide, safe!
18:26 westbaystars: Stolen base successful.
18:26 westbaystars: Two and two to Ibata.
18:28 westbaystars: Ibata fouls a couple of pitches off.
18:29 westbaystars: And he fouls off a few more.
18:31 westbaystars: Still 2 and 2, the 10th pitch to Ibata is lifted to right.
18:31 westbaystars: Satoh catches the ball in foul territory, and Araki touches up and heads for third.
18:31 westbaystars: The throw is close, but Araki is called safe!
18:32 westbaystars: That's one out, runner at third.
18:32 westbaystars: Tatsunami follows lifting the first pitch from Chang up to shallow left.
18:32 westbaystars: Nakajima goes out and makes the catch for the second out.
18:32 westbaystars: Alex comes up next.
18:33 westbaystars: After Ibata took so long, it's good to see a quick out.
18:33 westbaystars: Alex grounds the ball weakly to the left side.
18:33 westbaystars: Fernandez cuts in front of Nakajima, throws to first, and gets Alex by a step and a half.
18:34 westbaystars: Chunichi threatened, but failed to score.
18:34 westbaystars: ---
18:34 westbaystars: --- Bottom of First
18:34 westbaystars: ---
18:35 westbaystars: Yamai takes the mound for Chunichi.
18:36 westbaystars: And his first pitch to Satoh is taken for strike one.
18:36 westbaystars: Yamai's second pitch gets the outside corner for strike two.
18:36 westbaystars: But he misses a bit more outside with his third pitch for ball one.
18:37 westbaystars: Satoh grounds the next pitch to Ibata at short.
18:37 westbaystars: A routine play, but made close with Satoh's speed.
18:37 westbaystars: He's the first out nonetheless.
18:37 westbaystars: Akada follows.
18:39 westbaystars: Akada works the count to two and two.
18:39 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded up the right side.
18:39 westbaystars: Yamai fields the ball, fires to first as Akada gets up the line quickly.
18:40 westbaystars: But the ball is off Linares' glove and falls behind him! E-3.
18:40 westbaystars: Akada is safe at first.
18:40 westbaystars: Fernadez follows.
18:41 westbaystars: The previous play was changed to E-1.
18:42 westbaystars: Yamai goes even to Fernandez, two and two.
18:42 westbaystars: The throw to first almost gets Akada leaning the wrong way.
18:43 westbaystars: But he's back in just before the tag.
18:43 westbaystars: That was close!
18:43 westbaystars: Another throw to first, Akada is leaning the wrong way again, out!
18:43 westbaystars: The throw was right to where Akada's hand was returning to the bag.
18:43 westbaystars: Waiting for him.
18:44 westbaystars: The next pitch misses outside, ball three. Full count.
18:44 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is grounded to third.
18:44 westbaystars: Tatsunami throws a one bounder to Linares, who fails to hold onto the short bound!
18:45 westbaystars: The ball rolls back to the pitcher's mound as Fernandez is safe at first.
18:45 westbaystars: E-5.
18:45 westbaystars: That's the Dragons' second error of the inning! And they've been solid in the field all season.
18:45 westbaystars: So, Cabrera gets a chance with a runner at first.
18:46 westbaystars: And two down.
18:46 westbaystars: Cabu is 4 for 10 (.400) with 2 home runs.
18:47 westbaystars: But he grounds to Tatsunami at third, who throws a strike to Linares at first this time.
18:47 westbaystars: That's the third out of the inning.
18:47 westbaystars: The Lions had their chances with two errors, but come up empty.
18:48 westbaystars: At the end of one complete, there is no score.
18:48 westbaystars: ---
18:48 westbaystars: --- Top of Second
18:48 westbaystars: ---
18:49 westbaystars: Linares leads off the second for the Dragons.
18:50 westbaystars: Chang gets two quick strike on him while still at commercial on TV Asahi.
18:50 westbaystars: They're doing it again.
18:50 westbaystars: And while at the fourth and fifth commercials after the start of play, Linares hits a huge home run!
18:51 westbaystars: Chunichi takes a 1-0 lead on the third pitch, and TV Asahi is still showing more commercials!
18:51 westbaystars: Tanishige follows.
18:51 westbaystars: And TV Asahi comes back to show Linares' back in the dugout.
18:52 westbaystars: The homer was to left.
18:52 westbaystars: Tanishige strikes out for out number one.
18:53 westbaystars: M. Takahashi, the designated hitter, bats next.
18:53 westbaystars: Chang continues throwing strikes, getting ahead two strikes, one ball.
18:54 westbaystars: After taking ball two, Takahashi grounds the ball toward the hole on the right side.
18:54 westbaystars: But Takagi makes a diving grab for the ball, comes up, and throws Takahashi out at first.
18:54 westbaystars: Fine play by Takagi!
18:54 westbaystars: That's the second out of the inning.
18:55 westbaystars: Inoue follows.
18:55 westbaystars: The radio announcer said that they're sold out, but the picture before the game showed a lot of empty seats.
18:56 westbaystars: I still see a lot of green in the stands.
18:56 westbaystars: And since I mentioned how well Chang was throwing strikes, he falls behind Inoue with three straight balls.
18:56 westbaystars: Then gets a gift call strike one.
18:57 westbaystars: The fifth pitch misses low, ball four.
18:57 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku now comes out to have a talk with the home plate umpire.
18:57 westbaystars: He's calling over the third base umpire, too.
18:57 westbaystars: He got a walk. What does he want?
18:58 westbaystars: Does he hope to get a balk call with Chang's long kick motion?
18:58 westbaystars: Anyway, he heads back and number nine batter Ohnishi comes up to bat.
18:59 westbaystars: Chang isn't pausing long in his deliveries here.
18:59 westbaystars: He's going right after Ohnishi much faster than he's been pitching from the wind up.
19:00 westbaystars: The count goes even, two and two.
19:00 westbaystars: The clock strikes 7:00.
19:00 westbaystars: This looks to be a slow paced game.
19:00 westbaystars: Ohnishi fouls off a couple of pitches.
19:01 westbaystars: Chang's 39th pitch of the game is out and away, ball three. Full count.
19:01 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is fouled off to the right side. We'll do it again.
19:02 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded to second.
19:02 westbaystars: Takagi has an easy play, and throws Ohnishi out at first.
19:02 westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:02 westbaystars: But not before Linares hits a home run to start the scoring for the game.
19:02 westbaystars: After one and a half, the Dragons taka a 1-0 lead.
19:02 westbaystars: ---
19:03 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Second
19:03 westbaystars: ---
19:04 westbaystars: Wada leads off the Lions' half of the second.
19:05 westbaystars: Wada takes the first pitch on the outside corner for strike one.
19:05 westbaystars: Yamai misses outside on the second pitch, one and one.
19:05 westbaystars: The third pitch is grounded to first.
19:05 westbaystars: Linares fields the ball, calls Yamai off, and takes the ball to first himself.
19:05 westbaystars: One out.
19:06 westbaystars: Designated hitter Hirao follows.
19:07 westbaystars: Count goes even to Hirao, two and two.
19:07 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is called strike three on the outside corner.
19:08 westbaystars: Looked kind of outside to me, but Yamai appears to be borderline outside all night.
19:08 westbaystars: That must be his specialty - hitting the corners.
19:08 westbaystars: Nakajima follows.
19:09 westbaystars: Nakajima grounds the ball back up the middle, past the second base bag on the left side, and into center.
19:09 westbaystars: Two out base hit.
19:09 westbaystars: That brings up Noda.
19:11 westbaystars: Yamai misses with three in a row to dig a hole for himself.
19:11 westbaystars: Noda checks the third base coach for the go ahead.
19:11 westbaystars: Looks like he got the "take it" sign as he watches strike one down the middle.
19:11 westbaystars: The fifth pitch misses outside, ball four.
19:12 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with two outs.
19:12 westbaystars: Number nine batting Takagi follows.
19:13 westbaystars: Yamai misses with his first two pitches to Takagi.
19:14 westbaystars: The third pitch is called strike one, low and on the outside corner.
19:14 westbaystars: Takagi is choked up on the bat, and fouls the next pitch off his own legs.
19:14 westbaystars: Two and two, two on, two outs.
19:15 westbaystars: The fifth pitch misses way outside, full count.
19:15 westbaystars: The runners will be on the move.
19:15 westbaystars: Yamai sets, throws,
19:15 westbaystars: foul ball.
19:16 westbaystars: Runners return.
19:16 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded to the hole on the left side!
19:16 westbaystars: Ibata makes a sliding, back handed grab.
19:16 westbaystars: He stands, and doesn't have anywhere to throw to!
19:16 westbaystars: Everyone is safe, all around.
19:17 westbaystars: Mori-pitching coach heads out to give Yamai and the infield some advice.
19:17 westbaystars: After two quick outs, the Lions have loaded the bases.
19:17 westbaystars: Number one batter Satoh stands in.
19:19 westbaystars: Satoh also chokes up on the bat a little, like Takagi.
19:19 westbaystars: Yamai throws four sliders outside, Satoh swings and misses two of them.
19:19 westbaystars: That brings the count to two and two.
19:20 westbaystars: The next pitch is a slider outside and low, swung on and missed! Strike three.
19:20 westbaystars: That retires the Lions stranding bases loaded.
19:20 westbaystars: At the end of two complete, the Dragons lead 1-0.
19:20 westbaystars: ---
19:20 westbaystars: --- Top of Third
19:20 westbaystars: ---
19:22 westbaystars: Recap of scoring: Linares lead off the second with a solo home run.
19:22 westbaystars: That's it so far.
19:22 westbaystars: The Dragons start the third with number one batter Araki.
19:23 MHtrStevie: Hello, and thanks for the recap...
19:24 westbaystars: Araki takes ball four for a lead-off walk.
19:24 westbaystars: While TV Asahi was at commercial, again.
19:25 westbaystars: The radio announcers are making a big deal about the lack of gum in Chang's mouth.
19:25 westbaystars: He's apparently usually chewing gum when he pitches.
19:25 westbaystars: Ibata follows.
19:25 westbaystars: Araki stole second in the first inning.
19:27 westbaystars: Chang, worried about Araki, misses with his first two throws to Ibata.
19:27 westbaystars: The third pitch is lifted to the right side and foul.
19:27 westbaystars: Cabrera moves over, and makes the catch between first and the first base dugout.
19:27 westbaystars: One out.
19:27 westbaystars: That brings up Tatsunami.
19:28 westbaystars: Araki is on the move on the first pitch!
19:28 westbaystars: The throw is on the money! He's out at second!
19:28 westbaystars: Two down.
19:28 westbaystars: The pitch was low for ball one, and Chang misses outside with the next pitch for ball two.
19:28 westbaystars: The third pitch is fouled off to the right side.
19:29 westbaystars: Tatsunami and the Dragons are finished off with a ground out to second.
19:30 westbaystars: So, the Dragons managed a base runner, but are out in three batters.
19:30 westbaystars: After two and a half, Chunichi continues to lead 1-0.
19:30 westbaystars: ---
19:30 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Third
19:30 westbaystars: ---
19:31 westbaystars: Both barrels are working in the first (Seibu) base bull pen.
19:31 westbaystars: Akada leads off for the Lions' third.
19:32 westbaystars: Yamai misses with his first three pitches.
19:33 westbaystars: After a strike, the fifth pitch is grounded to the right side.
19:33 westbaystars: Araki fields the ball, throws to first, one out.
19:33 westbaystars: That brings up Fernandez who reached on an error in the first.
19:34 westbaystars: He's swinging at the first pitch, and lines the ball back up the middle for a base hit!
19:34 westbaystars: That brings up the hero of Game 3, Cabrera.
19:35 westbaystars: Cabrera tied the Nippon Series record with 6 RBIs in a game with those two home runs.
19:35 westbaystars: Cabrera give the fans a thrill!
19:36 westbaystars: Until they realize that Alex is running in in center to make the play.
19:36 westbaystars: Two outs.
19:36 westbaystars: Wada comes up next.
19:36 westbaystars: Wada grounds the ball to Ibata at short.
19:37 westbaystars: Ibata throws the throw to second for the force, almost taking Araki off the bag with the wide throw.
19:37 westbaystars: But Araki holds on long enough for the third out of the inning.
19:37 westbaystars: At the end of three complete, the score remains Chunichi 1 - 0 Seibu.
19:37 westbaystars: ---
19:37 westbaystars: --- Top of Fourth
19:37 westbaystars: ---
19:40 westbaystars: Alex leads off with a home run while TV Asaki is still at commercial, again!
19:40 westbaystars: This is the second home run they've missed!
19:40 westbaystars: Chunichi takes a 2-0 lead.
19:41 westbaystars: Alex's home run was just a little right of center.
19:41 westbaystars: That brings up Linares, who led off the second with a home run.
19:42 westbaystars: The count runs full to Linares.
19:42 westbaystars: Who is 4 for 8 (.500), two home runs, two RBIs in the Series.
19:43 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch misses way outside and low, taken for ball four.
19:44 westbaystars: Araki-pitching coach heads out to the mound with Chang's interpreter.
19:44 westbaystars: Chang has thrown 61 pitches so far this evening in 3 and 0/3rd innings.
19:45 westbaystars: Tanishige follows.
19:45 westbaystars: He went down swinging his first at bat.
19:46 westbaystars: Chang work very slow again, and misses with his first two pitches to Tanishige.
19:46 westbaystars: I don't think Linares is that big a threat to run.
19:46 westbaystars: The next pitch is fouled off, one strike, two balls.
19:47 westbaystars: Most of the seats have been filled tonight. Still some empty spots, but not too many.
19:47 westbaystars: After another foul ball, the fifth pitch misses way outside, Noda making a great play to keep it from going to the ...
19:47 westbaystars: ... backstop.
19:48 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch, with Linares on the run, is grouned through the left side of the infield and into left!
19:48 westbaystars: The runner moving pulled Nakajima out of position to field the ball.
19:48 westbaystars: Linares heads into third on Tanishige's single.
19:49 westbaystars: Runners at first and third, nobody out, Takahashi at the plate.
19:49 westbaystars: I'm guessing that this is Chang's last chance.
19:50 westbaystars: And Chang gets Takahashi looking at strike three!
19:51 westbaystars: That's the first out of the inning. Runners still at first and third.
19:51 westbaystars: Inoue follows.
19:52 westbaystars: Inoue lifts the ball deep to right.
19:52 westbaystars: Going, going, haitaaaaaaaa!
19:52 westbaystars: Inoue's first Nippon Series hit is a three run home run to right!
19:52 westbaystars: That puts the Dragons up 5-0.
19:53 westbaystars: And Chang is knocked out as Araki-pitching coach heads out for the second time this inning.
19:53 westbaystars: Ohnuma will be coming in.
19:54 westbaystars: Ohnuma did a great job getting out of the bases loaded jam on Tuesday, but immediately dug himself a hole the next innin
19:54 westbaystars: ... inning.
19:54 westbaystars: Even when he got out of the pinch in the seventh, he struggled to throw strikes.
19:55 westbaystars: The Dragons helped by swinging at bad pitches.
19:56 westbaystars: Ohnishi is the first batter Ohnuma faces.
19:56 westbaystars: And Ohnuma's first pitch is taken for strike one.
19:56 westbaystars: After taking strike two, Ohnishi protects the plate and grounds the third pitch to the right of second base.
19:57 westbaystars: Takagi makes a great play, moving toward left and throwing over his sholder, just getting Ohnishi!
19:57 westbaystars: Two outs.
19:57 westbaystars: Another great play by Takagi!
19:58 westbaystars: That brings up the top of the order in Araki.
19:58 westbaystars: Ohnuma goes even two and two to Araki.
19:58 westbaystars: Araki lifts the 2-2 pitch to left-center.
19:58 westbaystars: Wada and Akada come over, Wada calls for it, and makes the catch.
19:58 westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:59 westbaystars: But not before the Dragons put another four runs on the board with a pair of home runs.
19:59 westbaystars: The Dragons now lead 5-0.
19:59 westbaystars: ---
19:59 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fourth
19:59 westbaystars: ---
20:00 MHtrStevie: All right, I must get to work... sorry I can't stay longer...
20:00 MHtrStevie: Hope to see you during Game 5!
20:01 westbaystars: See you.
20:02 westbaystars: The lead-off batter grounds out while at commercial on TV Asahi - again!
20:03 westbaystars: Nakajima comes up next, so that was Hirao who grounded out.
20:03 westbaystars: Yamai walks Nakajima on four straight pitches.
20:03 westbaystars: As well as he's pitching, he hasn't been able to get the Lions in order yet.
20:04 westbaystars: Noda follows.
20:05 westbaystars: Noda ducks out of the 1-1 pitch to bring the count to one strike, two balls.
20:06 westbaystars: The count runs full.
20:07 westbaystars: A foul ball, then a pick off attempt. Nakajima is back.
20:07 westbaystars: With Nakajima running, Noda lifts a fly ball to center.
20:08 westbaystars: Alex doesn't move more than a step to make the catch.
20:08 westbaystars: Nakajima returns to first without a throw.
20:08 westbaystars: That brings up number nine Takagi.
20:08 westbaystars: Takagi is swinging at the first pitch, grounding the ball to the right side.
20:08 westbaystars: Araki fields the ball, throws to first, and the side is retired.
20:08 westbaystars: The Lions continue getting base runners, but fail to have anything to show for them.
20:09 westbaystars: At the end of four complete, the Dragons lead 5-0.
20:09 westbaystars: ---
20:09 westbaystars: --- Top of Fifth
20:09 westbaystars: ---
20:11 westbaystars: Ibata leads off the first, and for the first time in a long time, TV Asahi is showing it.
20:11 westbaystars: It was a called strike, by the way.
20:11 westbaystars: Ohnuma misses with the next three pitches, though.
20:12 westbaystars: Ibata is at bat.
20:12 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded just foul at third, fielded by Fernandez if foul territory.
20:12 westbaystars: Full count.
20:12 westbaystars: The full count pitch is swung on late by Ibata for strike three.
20:13 westbaystars: He didn't swing until the ball was in Noda's mit!
20:13 westbaystars: With one out, Tatsunami comes up.
20:14 westbaystars: Ohnuma falls behind Tatsunami one strike, three balls.
20:14 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is lined to the left side, past a jumping Nakajima and into left.
20:14 westbaystars: Base hit!
20:14 westbaystars: Tatsunami just reached out and poked a half-liner to left.
20:15 westbaystars: That brings up number four batter Alex, who led off last inning with a home run.
20:16 westbaystars: Alex' comment on the home run was that it had been a while. He didn't remember when he hit #21 of the season.
20:16 westbaystars: Ohnuma is throwing much better tonight than he did on Tuesday.
20:17 westbaystars: Alex watches a changeup 2-2 pitch over the plate for strike three.
20:17 westbaystars: A nice pitch!
20:17 westbaystars: That's the second out of the inning.
20:17 westbaystars: And it brings up Linares, who hit one out to lead off the second.
20:18 westbaystars: Ohnuma gets ahead of Linares, two strikes, one ball.
20:19 westbaystars: The third pitch is outside and low, taken by Linares, Tatsunami swiping second off the pitcher.
20:19 westbaystars: A better throw would have had him.
20:20 westbaystars: But Ohnuma had ignored him, allowing Tatsunami a big jump.
20:20 westbaystars: Noda makes a good block on the next pitch, and the count is full.
20:20 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch to Linares is taken outside, ball four.
20:20 westbaystars: That's not a good sign.
20:21 westbaystars: And right after complementing Ohnuma's pitching.
20:21 westbaystars: Runners now at first and second with two outs.
20:21 westbaystars: Tanishige comes up to the plate.
20:21 westbaystars: He got a base hit to left his last at bat.
20:22 westbaystars: Tanishige lines the ball to left-center.
20:22 westbaystars: Tatsunami kicks third and heads home.
20:22 westbaystars: The ball goes to the wall.
20:23 westbaystars: Linares rounds third and heads home.
20:23 westbaystars: Tanishige in into second with a two RBI double.
20:23 westbaystars: The Dragons taka a 7-0 lead.
20:24 westbaystars: Takahashi follows with a runner at second and two outs.
20:24 westbaystars: Takahashi lifts the ball to the right side.
20:25 westbaystars: Cabrera makes the catch in the first base coach's box.
20:25 westbaystars: Three outs.
20:25 westbaystars: But not before the Dragons add two more on Tanishige's double to left-center.
20:25 westbaystars: After four and a half innings, the Dragons take a 7-0 lead.
20:25 westbaystars: ---
20:25 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Fifth
20:25 westbaystars: ---
20:27 westbaystars: Satoh leads off the Lions' half of the fifth.
20:28 westbaystars: He grounds the ball through the right side of the infield, lead-off base hit1
20:28 westbaystars: Akada comes up next, and doesn't mess around with faking to bunt tonight.
20:28 westbaystars: Good.
20:28 westbaystars: That was annoying.
20:31 westbaystars: Instead, Akada watches strike three go by down the middle.
20:31 westbaystars: A slider coming over from the outside in.
20:31 westbaystars: Out number one.
20:31 westbaystars: Fernandez comes up with a runner at first and one out.
20:33 westbaystars: Yamai is hitting with his slider well.
20:33 westbaystars: He goes ahead of Fernandez two strikes, one ball.
20:33 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is low and away, Fernandez failing to check his swing.
20:33 westbaystars: The ball goes to the backstop.
20:34 westbaystars: Fernandez walks to the first base dugout while Satoh heads to second on the past ball.
20:34 westbaystars: That brings up Cabrera with a runner at second and two outs.
20:34 westbaystars: Cabu takes high, ball one.
20:36 westbaystars: Cabrera lifts a blooper to right, breaking his bat.
20:36 westbaystars: Inoue has a long run, and makes a shoe string catch for the out!
20:36 westbaystars: That retires the Lions in four batters yet again.
20:37 westbaystars: At the end of five complete, the Dragons lead 7-0.
20:37 westbaystars: ---
20:37 westbaystars: --- Top of Sixth
20:37 westbaystars: ---
20:41 westbaystars: Mitsui comes in to pitch for the Lions.
20:41 westbaystars: He misses with his first pitch, while TV Asahi is still at commercial yet again.
20:42 westbaystars: He comes back with strikes to Inoue, Inoue fouling two off.
20:42 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is lined into center field with a slicing motion to the ball for a base hit.
20:42 westbaystars: The Dragons have their lead-off runner on.
20:43 westbaystars: Number nine batting Ohnishi follows.
20:43 westbaystars: Ohnishi bunts the ball to the right side.
20:44 westbaystars: Mitsui fields the ball, turns and throws to second in time for the force.
20:44 westbaystars: There's no relay to first.
20:44 westbaystars: The Lions get the lead runner.
20:44 westbaystars: Hidenori comes on to pinch run for Ohnishi.
20:44 westbaystars: The top of the Dragons' order in Araki comes to bat.
20:44 westbaystars: And the first pitch is a short bound that gets away from Noda.
20:45 westbaystars: While Noda goes over to get the ball, Hidenori heads into second sliding head first (without a throw).
20:45 westbaystars: Runner at second, one out, Araki at bat.
20:47 westbaystars: The count goes full.
20:47 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is lined *just* over Cabrera's jump and into right!
20:47 westbaystars: Hidenori rounds third and heads home.
20:47 westbaystars: The Dragons go up 8-0.
20:47 westbaystars: Ibata follows.
20:49 westbaystars: Ibata grounds the ball to Nakajima, who throws to second for one, the relay to first is in time, double play.
20:49 westbaystars: But not before Araki bloops an RBI single to right to add another insurance run for the Dragons.
20:49 westbaystars: After five and a half, they now lead 8-0.
20:49 westbaystars: ---
20:49 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Sixth
20:49 westbaystars: ---
20:51 westbaystars: Number five batting Wada leads off the Lions' half of the sixth.
20:51 westbaystars: The Lions need a hand full of runs in a hurry to make this a game again.
20:52 westbaystars: Yamai misses with his first three pitches this inning.
20:53 westbaystars: The fourth pitch is taken down the middle for strike one.
20:53 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is pulled to the left side.
20:53 westbaystars: Tatsunami fields the ball moving toward second.
20:53 westbaystars: He throws to first in time, one out.
20:54 westbaystars: Hirao follows.
20:54 westbaystars: Yamai gets ahead of Hirao two strikes, one ball.
20:55 westbaystars: Just needed to warm up a little more?
20:55 westbaystars: The fourth pitch misses low and away, two and two.
20:55 westbaystars: The next pitch is bounced up the middle.
20:55 westbaystars: Ibata tries to field the ball running in on a second short hop, but the ball goes under his glove!
20:55 westbaystars: Base hit.
20:56 westbaystars: That's the Lions' fifth hit on the night, I belive.
20:56 westbaystars: Nakajima follows, who has a hit and has walked so far tonight.
20:57 westbaystars: Yamai misses with his first three pitches to Nakajima. What's with him?
20:58 westbaystars: He throws just strikes, then just balls.
20:58 westbaystars: The next pitch is a gift strike from the umpire, borderline at best.
20:58 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is called strike two, just on the outside corner and low.
20:58 westbaystars: Full count.
20:59 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch with the runner going is low and away, but swung on and missed!
20:59 westbaystars: The throw to second is *not* in time - safe!
20:59 westbaystars: It looks like Araki was spiked at second, and is down behind the second base bag.
21:00 westbaystars: Mori-pitching coach heads out to the mound. I expected a trainer to head out and see Araki.
21:00 westbaystars: Two pitchers are up in the Dragons' pen.
21:00 westbaystars: Mori-pitching coach returns to the dugout and reports to Ochiai-kantoku, sitting relaxed on his chair.
21:01 westbaystars: Y. Ishii comes up as a pinch hitter for Noda.
21:01 westbaystars: And Yamai gets two quick strikes on him. There he goes again!
21:02 westbaystars: And he watches strike three go by on four pitches!
21:02 westbaystars: A beautiful slider coming in for a strike from the outside to the left handed batter.
21:03 westbaystars: That finishes off the Lions again, stranding yet another runner.
21:03 westbaystars: At the end of six complete, the Dragons hold a commanding lead, 8-0.
21:03 westbaystars: ---
21:03 westbaystars: --- Top of Seventh
21:03 westbaystars: ---
21:05 westbaystars: The Dragons' oendan in left let off a large set of Dragon Blue jetto fusen.
21:05 westbaystars: This is something they don't do at Nagoya Dome, where balloons are outlawed.
21:05 westbaystars: Tatsunami leads off the seventh.
21:06 westbaystars: Ohnuma misses with three pitches, then gets a gift strike low from the home plate umpire.
21:06 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is over for strike two. Full count.
21:06 westbaystars: Hosokawa is now behind the plate.
21:06 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is lifted high and deep to right.
21:06 westbaystars: Satoh goes back to the warning track line, comes in a few steps, and makes the catch.
21:06 westbaystars: One long out.
21:07 westbaystars: That brings up Alex.
21:07 westbaystars: Alex lifts the ball deep to center.
21:08 westbaystars: Akada goes back, turns back around before reaching the warning track, and makes the catch.
21:08 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
21:08 westbaystars: Next up is Linares.
21:09 westbaystars: Linares pulls the ball up the third base line, fair!
21:09 westbaystars: Linares kicks first and heads to second for a stand up double.
21:10 westbaystars: Linares has reached base all four at bats tonight, streaching back to his final three at bats on Tuesday for ...
21:11 westbaystars: ... 7 consecutive plate appearances reaching base.
21:11 westbaystars: Tanishige follows.
21:12 westbaystars: And he takes a base on ball on five pitches.
21:12 westbaystars: Two outs, runners at first and second.
21:13 westbaystars: Takahashi comes up to bat.
21:13 westbaystars: Takahashi breaks his bat grounding the ball weakly up the middle-left side.
21:13 westbaystars: Nakajima rushes in, doesn't have a play at second, throws to first.
21:14 westbaystars: He *just* gets Takahashi by half a step at first.
21:14 westbaystars: That retires the Dragons in the seventh.
21:14 westbaystars: They continue to lead 8-0.
21:14 westbaystars: ---
21:15 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Seventh
21:15 westbaystars: ---
21:15 westbaystars: Ochiai Eiji comes in to pitch for the Dragons.
21:16 westbaystars: Yamai pitched very well through the first six inning. The Radio announcers give all credit to Tanishige's lead.
21:17 westbaystars: Takagi leads off for the Lions.
21:18 westbaystars: Takagi grounds the ball just left of second base.
21:18 westbaystars: Ibata fields the ball, fires quickly to first, and gets the speedy Takagi by half a step.
21:19 westbaystars: Nice streach and scoop by Linares at first to make that out happen.
21:19 westbaystars: Back to the top of the order in Satoh with one out and nobody on.
21:20 westbaystars: Satoh lines the ball back up the middle. Ochiai makes a quick stab for the ball, but it goes by too fast.
21:20 westbaystars: The ball heads into center for a one out base hit.
21:21 westbaystars: Itoh-kantoku comes out and points to pinch hitter Ozeki for Akada.
21:21 westbaystars: The Lions aren't giving up yet.
21:21 westbaystars: And Ozeki isn't showing bunt.
21:21 westbaystars: They need more than one.
21:22 westbaystars: Ozeki pulls the ball to the right side.
21:22 westbaystars: Araki fields the ball slowly, throws to second for one,
21:22 westbaystars: but the relay back to first is *not* in time.
21:22 westbaystars: Safe at first.
21:23 westbaystars: That brings up Fernandez with two down and a runner on.
21:23 westbaystars: Fernandez lines the ball into the right-center gap!
21:24 westbaystars: Ozeki goes all the way around and scores!
21:24 westbaystars: Fernandez takes second standing up, and the Lions have their first run of the game.
21:25 westbaystars: Fernandez has an RBI in each of the last three games.
21:25 westbaystars: Cabrera follows.
21:26 westbaystars: Cabrera is coming out swinging, but missing Ochiai's first two offerings.
21:26 westbaystars: Tanishige sets up outside, but Ochiai comes over the outside part of the plate, fouled off by Cabu-chan.
21:27 westbaystars: The fourth pitch misses low and away for ball one.
21:27 westbaystars: Cabrera wasn't fooled.
21:27 westbaystars: The next pitch is in the same place, also taken to even the count at 2-2.
21:28 westbaystars: Ochiai almost hits Cabrera with the next pitch inside. Full count.
21:28 westbaystars: And Cabu didn't look too pleased with that near miss.
21:28 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is taken inside, ball four.
21:29 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with two outs and Wada coming up to the plate.
21:29 westbaystars: Wada has hit two out so far in this Series.
21:29 westbaystars: He takes strike one low and on the outside corner.
21:30 westbaystars: The next pitch is outside, and Tanishige throws to first where Cabu is way off the base!
21:30 westbaystars: But the throw pulls Linares off the base and he can't make the tag.
21:30 westbaystars: Cabrera got lucky there.
21:31 westbaystars: Ochiai misses low, one strike, two balls.
21:31 westbaystars: The fourth delivery is called strike two in the lower part of the zone.
21:32 westbaystars: Wada's got to protect the plate, and does so with the next pitch, fouling the outside borderline pitch back.
21:32 westbaystars: Two and two, two out, two on.
21:32 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded up the middle to the left side.
21:32 westbaystars: Ibata dives! Gets the ball!
21:33 westbaystars: He tosses to second from the ground and gets Cabrera.
21:33 westbaystars: That retires the side.
21:33 westbaystars: Seibu managed to score one, but stopped there.
21:33 westbaystars: At the end of seven complete, the Dragons lead 8-1.
21:33 westbaystars: ---
21:34 westbaystars: --- Top of Eighth
21:34 westbaystars: ---
21:35 westbaystars: Okamoto comes in to pitch for the Lions.
21:35 westbaystars: The first batter he faces is Inoue, who hit a three run home run to put this game pretty much out of reach.
21:36 westbaystars: He misses with his first pitch for ball one.
21:36 westbaystars: Ozeki stays in the game at right.
21:37 westbaystars: Inoue lifts the ball to left.
21:37 westbaystars: Wada comes in and makes the catch.
21:37 westbaystars: Satoh moves from right to center.
21:37 westbaystars: Hidenori, who came in as a pinch runner, stands in for the first time this evening.
21:38 westbaystars: He bounces a high bounder to the right side.
21:38 westbaystars: Takagi runs in, fields the ball, and throws the speedy Hidenori out.
21:38 westbaystars: Two outs.
21:38 westbaystars: That brings up to the top of the order in Araki.
21:39 westbaystars: Araki grounds the ball to the hole on the right side.
21:40 westbaystars: Takagi goes deep in the hole into shallow left to field the ball.
21:40 westbaystars: The throw to first is in time.
21:40 westbaystars: And the Dragons are down in order for the first time tonight.
21:40 westbaystars: I believe it's only the second time for three up, three down.
21:41 westbaystars: Still, they continue to lead by seven, 8-1.
21:41 westbaystars: ---
21:41 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Eighth
21:41 westbaystars: ---
21:42 westbaystars: In to pitch for Chunichi is Hirai.
21:42 westbaystars: Yamai threw 109 pitches through six innings, striking out six and allowing no runs.
21:43 westbaystars: Hirao leads off taking strike one.
21:44 westbaystars: Hirao grounds the ball right to Araki at second who throw him out.
21:44 westbaystars: One quick out.
21:44 westbaystars: The Lions have stranded 10 runners so far, at least one every inning.
21:44 westbaystars: Nakajima follows.
21:45 westbaystars: Hirai is ahead of him with two quick strikes.
21:45 westbaystars: The third pitch, with Tanishige set up outside, misses outside, naturally.
21:46 westbaystars: Nakajima drives the ball deep to straight away center.
21:46 westbaystars: Alex goes back, looks, haitaaaaaaaaa!
21:46 westbaystars: Nakajima hits a solo home run!
21:46 westbaystars: His second of the Series.
21:47 westbaystars: To the deepest part of the stadium.
21:47 westbaystars: The Lions now trail by six, 2-8.
21:47 westbaystars: Hosokawa comes up next, his first at bat of the game.
21:48 westbaystars: Hosokawa come in defensively after Noda was pinch hit for.
21:49 westbaystars: But he swings and misses his second 2-2 pitch to go down on strikes.
21:49 westbaystars: Two down.
21:50 westbaystars: Takagi follows.
21:50 westbaystars: He's swinging at the first pitch again, and lines it to right for a base hit!
21:50 westbaystars: That's the Lions' nineth hit on the night.
21:50 westbaystars: And we're back to the top of the order in Satoh.
21:51 westbaystars: With a runner on first and two outs.
21:52 westbaystars: The Lions game from being 36 times during the season, most in the league.
21:52 westbaystars: Satoh lifts the ball to the left side.
21:52 westbaystars: Ibata goes out, Inoue comes in.
21:52 westbaystars: And the ball lands in between the two!
21:53 westbaystars: With two outs, Takagi cruized into third on the bloop single.
21:53 westbaystars: That brings up Ozeki.
21:53 westbaystars: With runners at the corners and two down.
21:53 westbaystars: Two out rally for the Lions?
21:53 westbaystars: Clean-up is coming up next.
21:55 westbaystars: Hirai misses with his first three pitches to Ozeki.
21:55 westbaystars: 36 gyakuten victories was most in both leagues, by the way.
21:55 westbaystars: Hirai's fourth pitch is taken for strike one.
21:56 westbaystars: Ozeki takes the fifth pitch high and away, ball four.
21:56 westbaystars: The bases are loaded and Ochiai-kantoku stands up.
21:56 westbaystars: Ochiai heads out to the mound himself.
21:56 westbaystars: Hirai faces Fernandez and Cabrera next.
21:57 westbaystars: After talking with Hirai and the infield, Ochai-kantoku calls the home plate umpire over and tells him he's chaning ...
21:57 westbaystars: ... pitchers.
21:57 westbaystars: Iwase comes in.
22:00 westbaystars: Iwase's first pitch to Fernandez is taken low and inside, ball one.
22:00 westbaystars: 13 of 19 of Seibu's runs have been driven in by Fernandez, Cabrera, and Wada in this Series.
22:02 westbaystars: The count runs even to 2 and 2.
22:02 westbaystars: The fifth pitch is called strike three!
22:02 westbaystars: Nice pitch on the outside part of the plate, coming in to the right handed batter.
22:03 westbaystars: The Lions strand the bases loaded for the second time this evening.
22:03 westbaystars: That hurts.
22:03 westbaystars: They did score one on Nakajima's solo shot to center to bring the score to Chunichi 8 - 2 Seibu.
22:03 westbaystars: ---
22:03 westbaystars: --- Top of Nineth
22:03 westbaystars: ---
22:05 westbaystars: Okamoto is still on the mound for the Lions.
22:06 westbaystars: Ibata grounds out to second just as TV Asahi returns from commercials.
22:07 westbaystars: Tatsunami follows.
22:08 westbaystars: Okamoto runs the count to 2-2.
22:08 westbaystars: Then misses high and away for ball three. Full count.
22:09 westbaystars: The sixth pitch is fouled off to the right side.
22:09 westbaystars: Then a foul to the stands behing the third base dugout.
22:10 westbaystars: Another one to the left side.
22:10 westbaystars: Okamoto then misses high and tight, ball four.
22:11 westbaystars: Ibata gets a pinch runner, #46. I don't recognize him, and didn't catch his name.
22:11 westbaystars: Tsuchiya, it appears.
22:11 westbaystars: Up to bat is Alex.
22:13 westbaystars: Alex fouls off a number of two strike, one ball pitches.
22:13 westbaystars: Then Okamoto misses low and away to even the count at 2-2.
22:14 westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch is lifted just over the second base bag, past a diving Nakajima, and into center field.
22:14 westbaystars: Another bloop single for the Dragons.
22:14 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second with one out.
22:15 westbaystars: Linares, who's reached base his last seven plate appearances, comes up next.
22:15 westbaystars: 5 for 5 with two walks and two home runs over that span.
22:16 westbaystars: The count runs 2 and 2.
22:17 westbaystars: Some fans have Cuban flags in the stands in support for this famous slugger.
22:17 westbaystars: After fouling one off, Linares takes ball three inside, full count.
22:18 westbaystars: Okamoto's shoubu pitch is fouled high to the right side.
22:18 westbaystars: Cabrera goes over, and makes the catch near the first base side bull pen fense.
22:18 westbaystars: That ends Linares' streak.
22:18 westbaystars: And marks out number two.
22:18 westbaystars: Tanishige follows with runners at first and second and two outs.
22:19 westbaystars: Tanishige has 9 RBIs in the Series so far. Four of them on his grand slam in Game 3.
22:20 westbaystars: The count goes even to Tanishige as the clock passes the four hour mark.
22:21 westbaystars: The count goes full to Tanishige.
22:22 westbaystars: We're in the top of the nineth, Chunichi up 8-2. Two outs, runners at first and second.
22:22 westbaystars: The runners are on the move, Tanishige lifts the ball high to right-center.
22:22 westbaystars: Ozeki comes over and makes the catch.
22:22 westbaystars: That retires the Dragons in the nineth.
22:23 westbaystars: The Lions need six to stay alive this game.
22:23 westbaystars: ---
22:23 westbaystars: --- Bottom of Nineth
22:23 westbaystars: ---
22:23 westbaystars: A break at work?
22:26 MHtrStevie: Just checking in quick... didn't expect game to still be going... =)
22:26 MHtrStevie: Have to duck out again fast... =)
22:32 westbaystars: Don't know what happened, but my connection to the U.S. appeared to have failed for a while.
22:32 westbaystars: To recap the inning,
22:32 westbaystars: Cabrera lead off with a base hit to center.
22:32 westbaystars: Wada popped out to the warning track in left.
22:33 westbaystars: Hirao then grounded into a double play to first.
22:33 westbaystars: The end.
22:33 westbaystars: ***
22:33 westbaystars: ***
22:33 westbaystars: *** Game Final
22:33 westbaystars: *** Chunichi Dragons 8 - 2 Seibu Lions
22:33 westbaystars: ***
22:33 westbaystars: ***
22:33 westbaystars: *** 2 Game to 2
22:33 westbaystars: ***
22:33 westbaystars: ***
22:36 westbaystars: Chunich has guaranteed a return to Nagoya on Sunday.
22:36 westbaystars: Game 5 will be tomorrow (Friday) at the same time.
22:37 westbaystars: See you all then.
About
This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
It is my sincere hope that once you learn a bit about what we're about here that you will join the community of contributors.
Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
Copyright (c) 1995-2024 JapaneseBaseball.com.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Some rights reserved.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Some rights reserved.
All remaining games have been pushed back one day. So, there will no longer be a game on Saturday, which is rather foolish as they can draw more on a weekend than a week day - and Nagoya isn't so far away that they need the "travel day." But that's just my opinion. I'm sure the powers-that-be have a reason.
I'd appriciate hearing from those of you in the Kansai area to hear that you've weathered Typhoon #23 safely. (Just stop by during the game and say, "Hi.") The storm caused a great deal of damage there, while doing nothing more than minor flooding in parts of the Kanto region. (Typhoon #22 last week hit us hard, uprooting a number of nearby trees.) I had never really taken typhoons too seriously up until now, as they've been a lot of talk on the Weather Channel with little force behind them. But these last two weeks have made me more wary.
Anyway, enough talk about the weather. Let's play ball!