chikamoto

Game 40 @ Giants: Too Close for Comfort

Game 40 @ Giants: Too Close for Comfort

This game started really poorly for the Tigers bats, as they hit into double plays in the first two innings, but then they came to life after that for a couple of innings… and then went right back into hibernation. Good thing Raul Alcantara had four strong innings of his own (and two not-so-good ones),…

Game 36 vs. Dragons: Comeback Left Incomplete

Game 36 vs. Dragons: Comeback Left Incomplete

The first inning of this one was extremely promising. Yuki Nishi needed just nine pitches to mow down the Dragons’ first three batters, while Ogasawara spent more than that on Koji Chikamoto alone, who got a hit out of the battle. Jefry Marte pulled the same stunt, and the Tigers had an early lead. Unfortunately,…

Game 34 @ Baystars: Rookie Throws Gem on B-Day

Game 34 @ Baystars: Rookie Throws Gem on B-Day

Masashi Itoh played high school baseball at Yokohama Stadium, so his first pro mound in the ballpark probably was not as intimidating as it would be for some freshmen. He was celebrating his 25th birthday as well, though he says he did not really think about that very much as he went about his business….

Game 32 @ Swallows: Last Team to Tie

Game 32 @ Swallows: Last Team to Tie

Well, it was bound to happen eventually. Already at this point, the Pacific League had played 15 tie games, and the Central had 10. The Tigers were part of none of them. This was hardly the ideal scenario in which to break that streak – the two-run lead did not hold, and the bats were…

Game 31 @ Swallows: Late HR Barrage = Blowout

Game 31 @ Swallows: Late HR Barrage = Blowout

The Tigers put men on base in the first three innings, only to snuff out chances with double plays each time. It was beginning to look like the Swallows would win their first day game of the season, while the Tigers lost theirs, as starter Yuki Nishi sputtered in the middle innings. However, a clutch…

Toreba no Toraba: Sato’s Shiny Star & (Finnish) Flashbacks

Toreba no Toraba: Sato’s Shiny Star & (Finnish) Flashbacks

As seen in Daily Sports / デイリースポーツのコラム(トレバーの虎場)から Teruaki Sato. The young man who plays like he’s already in his prime. Does interviews like he’s been there, done that a thousand times before. Brings excitement to the stands (empty though they may be) and the nation like no one has in ages, if ever. Gives dreams…

Game 25 vs. Baystars: Good to the Last Drop!

Game 25 vs. Baystars: Good to the Last Drop!

Friday night, a boatload of walks and a pair of errors extended the Tigers’ losing streak to three, and ended the Baystars’ winless streak at 12. Saturday, the Baystars got thumped HARD. On this day, the lead changed hands four times, once thanks to a pair of defensive blunders by the visiting team – a…

Game 21 @ Giants: Okamoto’ed

Game 21 @ Giants: Okamoto’ed

Riding an eight-game winning streak, the Tigers looked to continue the romp as two players (Koji Chikamoto and Jefry Marte) went yard in the first inning of this one… but that was pretty much all the action we got. Three more hits the rest of the way but nary a runner crossing home. Meanwhile, starter…

Game 19: Undefeated in the Uglies!

Game 19: Undefeated in the Uglies!

You’ve no doubt seen the uniforms that Hanshin has revealed they will wear for the Ultra Summer week just before the Olympic (?) break. If not, highlights from the game are viewable below the scorecard… just brace yourself accordingly. This game got ugly in some ways, as the relievers nearly blew an 8-run lead… but…