It’s Golden Week, so lots of families were in attendance at Friday afternoon’s game. The players’ names on the scoreboard were all in syllabic hiragana so kids could read them. And the only thing it helped kids do was read out the names of players who disappointed them time and again, as the Tigers dropped a yawner in extra innings.
Starting Pitchers: Haruto Takahashi (1-1, 4.91 ERA) vs. Shinnosuke Ogasawara (1-2, 5.79 ERA)
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After getting two outs Haruto allowed a single, then a stolen base later, all it took was a hit to right to score the game’s first run.
Tigers 0, Dragons 1
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For the second straight inning, the Tigers put runners on the corners. For the second straight inning, they grounded into a double play. This time, though, they were fortunate to have no outs yet when they did it. Kosuke Fukudome singled, then went to third on an error, and scored on the grounder. Woop-dee-doo.
Tigers 1, Dragons 1
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That’s right. This one went ages without a score. Haruto was pulled after six solid innings (6 IP, 82 TP, 5 H, 2 BB, 1 R, 3 K), and the relievers endured through the next four innings. The Tigers got runners into scoring position in the sixth, eighth and ninth innings. No dice, though. Instead, Kyuji Fujikawa came in, actually should have recorded three outs, but saw defensive replacement Noriharu Yamazaki drop a ball to give the visitors new life. And Kyuji gave them all they needed after that. A couple of walks later, and the tie was broken. Kyuji out, Akifumi Takahashi in. And for good measure, a bases-clearing double. Kids. Crying. Everywhere.