Noguchi Blows New Record with Two Out in 9th
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Just a week earlier, on August 26th, Noguchi completed his 4th complete game in a row without giving up a walk. It was the 5th complete game without a walk given up by Noguchi this season, putting him well above anybody else. And with his control, he's also thrown 5 shut outs this season to give Noguchi a league leading 2.15 ERA.
But with the ball game tied 2-2, two down, and BayStars on first and third in the top of the 9th, instead of walking Tanishige to get to the pitcher, Noguchi was given the go ahead to go after Yokohama's #8 batter. It turned out to be a bad move.
Tanishige doubled a full count pitch into the left-center gap, bringing home two to put the BayStars on top 4-2. Then, to add salt to the wounds, Noguchi did the unthinkable, he walked the next batter, Zuber, pinch hitting for the piticher. He pitched to Tanishige to preserve his attempt at the record, lost the game, then walked the next batter. Needless to say, Hoshino-kantoku didn't have very kind words for his ace.
Noguchi did finish the game, getting Ishii to ground out to second after that, to finish off his league leading 11th conplete game. But Chunichi failed to get their two base runners home in the bottom of the 9th, so the complete game went to knot.
Noguchi's 4 consecutive complete games without giving up a walk is quite an occomplishment in and of itself. He's the 6th player to do so, the last time being Nippon Ham's Takahashi Naoki in 1979.