October 12th Iwata v Chen - The final game

Because of the Koshien refurbishment this game was played at Skymark Stadium in Kobe. This will also be the location for the Tigers Climax series games. This was one of those meaningless make-up games but still useful as both teams will meet each other in the first round of the Climax series. It could have been different of course - it could have been the victory game but it was not to be. Ochiai used the game to give his likely Climax pitching lineup a runout and what is impressive is how good Chen has become. Tigers used Iwata who finally got his 10th victory and his first with Yano (at last). Okada signed off his last regular season game with a victory but could and should have had more.

News on players. Hirano will receive a special award from the Central League in recognition of his comeback from serious injury. Akahoshi recorded his 350th career steal and was honoured at the game. He did not win the steals title for this year though - that went to Fukuchi of the Swallows. Tigers are planning to offer Ford another contract for next year but Vogelsong is questionable. Of course, Resop, Atchison and Williams will be offered contracts. Line scores

        1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Dragons 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0
Tigers  0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 X 4 6 0

Starting lineups

1. Akahoshi (Centre)
2. Sekimoto (Third)
3. Arai (First)
4. Kanemoto (Left)
5. Toritani (Short)
6. Katsuragi (Right)
7. Yano (Catcher)
8. Hirano (Second)
9. Iwata (Pitcher)

Dragons
1. Lee (Right)
2. Araki (Second)
3. Wada (Left)
4. Morino (Centre)
5. Woods (First)
6. Nakamura (Third)
7. Ibata (Short)
8. Tanishige (Catcher)
9. Chen (Pitcher)

Dragons would start well and in fact Iwata would have runners on base over the majority of his session but come through in the end. He walked the first batter he faced, Lee and then gave up a hit to Araki to set up runners on first and second. Wada hit into a big double play though Lee made third. However, Morino grounded out to end the innings. Tigers first was unimpressive as Chen was impressive, retiring the batters in order. In Dragons second Nakamura hit but nothing came of this. Tigers second was also quiet - no one advancing to base. Iwata started Dragons third by walking Koike (pinch hitter). One out later Koike tried to steal second but was thrown out. Iwata then struck out Araki to end the innings. Kawakami took the mound in the Tigers third. He was in control and retired the Tigers in order. Iwata's biggest test came the very next innings. Once again he walked the first batter, this time Wada. Morino then bunted him to second and Woods drove one to right scoring Wada 1-0 Dragons, runner on first with one out. Nakamura hit to make it runners on first and second but Ibata flew out. However, Tanishige hit to load the bases. Luckily the final batter was Kawakami and he obliged by striking out to end the innings.

Kawakami returned Iwata's favour of the top by walking Akahoshi. He stole second (his 350th career steal) and advanced to third on Sekimoto's fly out. With one out there was a very good scoring chance. It was not to be, Kawakami got Arai to fly out in foul ground and then struck out Kanemoto to end the innings. Dragons fifth was quiet as Iwata retired the batters in order. After two innings of Kawakami, Yamamoto pitched Tigers fifth. This was also quiet with the batters falling in order. So far Tigers had generated one walk and no hits. The Dragons sixth saw Nakamura walk with two outs but Dragons weren't able to make anything of this. Tigers sixth can only be characterised as bizarre. The lead off batter Hirano lined out but then Iwata (who was obviously due to pitch the seventh) hit. Akahoshi followed with a hit and so did Sekimoto to load the bases. Arai struck out - he hasn't been effective in driving in runs since his return. Kanemoto was next and he engineered a walk-in run 1-1 scores level. Toritani followed and he also drew a walk 2-1 Tigers. At this point Ochiai decided a new pitcher was needed and Saitoh replaced Yamamoto. He also had trouble and walked Hiyama (pinch hitter) 3-1 Tigers with the bases still loaded. Three walk in runs in an innings and a cosy lead to the Tigers. Finally he faced Yano who struck out to end the innings.

Of course, Okada concluded that Iwata wouldn't return after all and Atchison took the mound for Dragons seventh. He started by walking Tanishige but one out later got Lee to hit into a double play to end the innings. Yoshimi pitched Tigers seventh and was unconvincing. With two outs he gave up a hit to Akahoshi. He then walked Sekimoto and Akahoshi moved to second. With Arai at the plate Akahoshi tried to steal third but was unsuccessful and the innings was over. Williams pitched the Dragons eighth. He struck out three of the four batters he faced with the second batter, Wada, having a two base hit. For Tigers eighth the pitcher was Asao. He started by walking Arai. One out later Toritani hit - runners on first and second. Asao was replaced by Takahashi. Lin (replacement right) grounded out and the runners moved round to second and third. Yano walked to load the bases and then Hirano hit to right. This was enough to drive in a runner 4-1 Tigers. Baldris (replacement third) was next and he flew out to end the innings. Of course Fujikawa pitched the Dragons ninth and was dominant - retiring the Dragons in order. Tigers victory.

Fujikawa picked up his 38th save in what had been a useful workout for both teams. Of course, it is not an indicator of how the Climax series against the Dragons will turn out but one can be hopeful. Okada was saluted by the crowd with the chant of 'Okada, Okada' and was visibly moved. Tigers record for the regular season stands at 82 wins, 59 losses and 3 ties. Normally, this could be regarded as a good season but for the failure to win the pennant. Unfortunately, because of this the season so far must be regarded as a disappointment. The possiblity of winning the Japan Series though does provide a chance for the team to redeem itself.

[Edited by: Christopher on Oct 13, 2008 12:43 PM]