The Tigers continue to struggle through the past 10 days, failing to score more than 3 runs in any game since May 7. The Chunichi Dragons sent out Dice-K and he looked every bit like the beast he was back in his Seibu Lions days. But was he that good? Or were we that bad? Recent games suggest the latter is probably a bigger factor. In any case, here’s a fictional account of the game, since the real one is no fun for anyone to read. Any crossed out words/phrases indicate truthful statements that needed altering in order to create this story.
Starting Pitchers: Hiroto Saiki (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-3, 3.54 ERA)
1
Dice-K needed 10 pitches to get through the first inning batter, Kai Ueda, who walked on that tenth pitch. He stole second and third on consecutive pitches to the next batter, and scored easily on a sacrifice fly to deep right. Dice-K walked the bases loaded eventually, and needed 45 pitches to get out of the inning.
Tigers 1, Dragons 0
1
Saiki’s first pitch was hit to right clocked at 160 km/h, setting a personal high and making him the third player in club history to rock the radar magic. The Dragons looked completely overwhelmed by the 19-year old’s filthy stuff. Catcher Kenya Nagasaka called such an awful a great game that Saiki got out of the first inning in 25 seven pitches.
3
Things remained silent until the Tigers put runners on first and second with just one out. The top of the order wasted the chance came through with two strikeouts hits and the lead doubled.
Tigers 2, Dragons 0
5
After allowing his fifth first run of the day, Saiki’s start came to an end. It was best to show the kid the Dragons a little mercy, after all. His line: 5 IP, 12 2 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 5 K, 5 1 R.
Tigers 2, Dragons 1
9
With the bases empty loaded, Wilin Rosario struck out did this:
録画したスカイA見てたら、ロサリオの場外170メートル弾の1球前が俺の前のネットに当たった瞬間が映ってた😳
これカメラ回してたら迫力ある映像撮れたのに、あまりに突然すぎて用意してなかった🤦♂️💦
けど、この次の球で場外に来た時は更に度肝抜いた😮 pic.twitter.com/FYoUantz9G
— まる(´∇｀)＞ｶｷｶｷ (@sayaka_maru03) February 9, 2018