CLCS Stage 1 Game 1
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Re: CLCS Stage 1 Game 1
[ Author: westbaystars | Posted: Oct 13, 2007 9:41 PM
| YBS Fan
]
The writing was on the wall after five innings of this one. Kawakami was perfect through 5 innings, striking out 9 Tigers. Despite Ochiai going to the bull pen heavily in the 8th and 9th, the Tigers were unable to break the line of goose eggs next to their name.
The full game log from when I got home follows (mistakes included):
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2007/10/13 21:33
CHATROOM CL Climax Series 2007/Stage 1 Game 1
15:18 westbaystars: The Japan Times and Daily Yomiuri both have Climax Series
15:18 westbaystars: previews up.
15:18 westbaystars: Linked to from here:
15:18 westbaystars: http://www.japanesebaseball.com/forum/forum.jsp?forum=21
18:15 John Brooks: .
19:21 westbaystars: Just got home.
19:21 westbaystars: The score is 3-0 in the bottom of the 4th. Chunichi has at least one runner on.
19:22 westbaystars: Shimoyanagi looks like he's done for.
19:22 westbaystars: After 59 pitches.
19:22 westbaystars: Watanabe has been announced as the new pitcher.
19:23 westbaystars: A quick trip to Yahoo! Japan http://baseball.yahoo.co.jp/npb/live?id=2007101301
19:23 westbaystars: shows that the Dragons scored all three runs in the first.
19:24 westbaystars: Two on a home run by Woods.
19:24 westbaystars: Watanabe, vs. Chunichi, appeared in 9 games giving up no runs to no decision.
19:29 westbaystars: With two down and a runner at third, Ibata grounds out to short to end the threat.
19:30 westbaystars: After four complete, the Dragons lead 3-0.
19:33 westbaystars: ---
19:33 westbaystars: Top of 5th
19:33 westbaystars: ---
19:34 westbaystars: Kanemoto becomes strike out victim number 8 for Kawakami.
19:34 westbaystars: Hanshin has yet to get a single base runner this game. Kawakami is perfect through 4 1/3rd so far.
19:35 westbaystars: And Kawakami strikes out Imaoka on three pitches. Wow!
19:36 westbaystars: Lin grounds out to short on the first pitch.
19:36 westbaystars: 15 up, 15 down for Kawakami facing the Tigers.
19:36 westbaystars: ---
19:36 westbaystars: Bottom of 5th
19:36 westbaystars: ---
19:39 westbaystars: Toritani makes a fine play to get Morino at first on a ground ball to the left side.
19:40 westbaystars: That brings up Woods, who had a 2-run home run in the first.
19:42 westbaystars: And Woods goes down reaching for a pitch a bit too far outside to reach.
19:42 westbaystars: Two away.
19:42 westbaystars: Nakamura comes up 2 for 2 so far. A double and a single.
19:43 westbaystars: He strokes the second pitch over the shortstop and into left field. Base hit.
19:43 westbaystars: Nori is 3 for 3.
19:43 westbaystars: That brings up Lee.
19:44 westbaystars: And Lee makes contact, going the other way to left-center.
19:44 westbaystars: Nori rounds second and heads into third.
19:44 westbaystars: The throw comes back to second, where Lee is not sliding in.
19:45 westbaystars: Runners at the corners with two outs.
19:45 westbaystars: And that brings the Hanshin pitching coach out.
19:45 westbaystars: After a few words with Watanabe, he heads back to the third base side dugout.
19:46 westbaystars: Hirata comes up next.
19:46 westbaystars: Hirata goes the other way to right.
19:47 westbaystars: But right to where Lin has him played - at the warning track line.
19:47 westbaystars: Lin makes the catch for out number three.
19:47 westbaystars: The Dragons threaten, but come up empty.
19:47 westbaystars: --
19:47 westbaystars: 1st inning update
19:47 westbaystars: --
19:48 westbaystars: The first Dragon run in the first saw Araki reach on an error by the Tiger second baseman.
19:48 westbaystars: He swiped second.
19:48 westbaystars: Then scored on an Ibata hit to right-center.
19:50 westbaystars: Sorry, Ibata grounded out.
19:51 westbaystars: It was a single to right by Morino.
19:51 westbaystars: Then Woods hit the 2-run home run to right.
19:51 westbaystars: ---
19:51 westbaystars: Bottom of 6th
19:51 westbaystars: ---
19:51 westbaystars: Yano flies out to start off the 7th.
19:54 westbaystars: Sekimoto follows with a base hit through the left side!
19:54 westbaystars: There goes the perfect game!
19:54 westbaystars: And Okada-kantoku comes out with announce a pinch hitter.
19:55 westbaystars: It's Hiyama. Want to bet Kawakami doesn't pitch around him?
19:57 westbaystars: Hiyama lifts the ball up high to the right side.
19:57 westbaystars: Araki camps under it and makes the catch for out number two.
19:57 westbaystars: To the top of the order in Toritani.
19:58 westbaystars: Toritani makes solid contact with the ball, but it's a routine fly ball to center.
19:58 westbaystars: And the side is retired.
19:59 westbaystars: Whoops. That was the:
19:59 westbaystars: ---
19:59 westbaystars: Top of the 7th
19:59 westbaystars: ---
20:00 westbaystars: *** Top of 6th ***
20:00 westbaystars: ---
20:00 westbaystars: [See above]
20:00 westbaystars: ---
20:00 westbaystars: Bottom of 6th
20:00 westbaystars: ---
20:00 westbaystars: Kubota comes in to pitch for the Tigers.
20:01 westbaystars: He threw in 90 games during the season.
20:01 westbaystars: Vs. Chunichi he threw in 17 games.
20:03 westbaystars: Tanishige leads off with a single up the middle.
20:05 westbaystars: Kawakami bunts the ball up the first base line.
20:05 westbaystars: It's played by Kubota who waits for Kawakami to get close, then chaces him back a step to apply the touch.
20:05 westbaystars: It was a hard bunt. He might have had a play at second, but opted for one out.
20:05 westbaystars: Probably the best move.
20:06 westbaystars: That brings up Araki.
20:07 westbaystars: [I don't greet people - just in case they'd rather stay anonymous on the game log.]
20:07 westbaystars: [Otherwise, salutations.]
20:07 zman: thanks
20:08 westbaystars: Chunichi is up 3-0. Hanshin went to the bull pen early.
20:08 westbaystars: Shimoyanagi only going 3 1/3rd.
20:08 westbaystars: Araki hits a low liner up the middle.
20:08 westbaystars: Tanishige returns to the second base bag.
20:08 westbaystars: After making sure the ball will go through, Tanishige breaks for third on the base hit.
20:09 westbaystars: But that's all he'll get.
20:09 westbaystars: Runners at the corners, 1 down.
20:09 westbaystars: Chunichi looking to extend their 3 run lead.
20:09 zman: this is not looking good for the tigers, figure if they lose this one its going to be nearly impossible to come back
20:10 westbaystars: And Ibata grounds the ball through the right side, base hit!
20:10 westbaystars: Tanishige scores from third.
20:10 zman: are you watching the stikeout count?
20:10 westbaystars: The Tigers already have a phobia about Nagoya Dome.
20:10 westbaystars: This can't help.
20:10 westbaystars: No, I'm watching NHK BS1.
20:11 zman: nine strikeouts so far
20:11 westbaystars: Oh, strike outs?
20:11 westbaystars: Yea. Kawakami had 9 after 5.
20:11 zman: yes, by the tigers
20:11 zman: looking at yahoo sports box score
20:11 zman: one hit
20:11 westbaystars: Morino - はいったあああああぁぁぁぁぁ。
20:12 westbaystars: Morino just barely cleared the right field wall.
20:12 westbaystars: Putting the Dragons up 7-0.
20:13 westbaystars: That's it for Kubota.
20:13 zman: turn out the lights, the party is over
20:13 westbaystars: Darwin will be replacing him.
20:13 westbaystars: Kubota came in to keep this from getting out of hand, then he let it get out of hand.
20:15 westbaystars: There's a weak wave going around Nagoya Dome.
20:16 westbaystars: Woods' first pitch is lifted to right.
20:17 westbaystars: Second baseman Sekimoto makes the catch in shallow right field.
20:17 westbaystars: Two away.
20:17 westbaystars: The Tigers finally get Nakamura out, as he grounds out to second to end the inning.
20:18 westbaystars: But, the Dragons scored 4 against JFK's K to take a 7-0 lead after 6 complete.
20:18 westbaystars: ---
20:18 westbaystars: Top of 7th
20:18 westbaystars: ---
20:19 westbaystars: Did you know that Morino was known as Mr. Three Run in Nagoya?
20:19 westbaystars: That's what the announcers are saying.
20:19 zman: No, I will remember that now
20:19 westbaystars: Akahoshi leads off the 7th for the Tigers.
20:20 zman: They are a fine team
20:20 westbaystars: He lifts the ball to shallow center field.
20:20 westbaystars: Hirata makes a shoestring catch on the run!
20:20 westbaystars: Kawakami's 80th pitch of the game is a swing and a miss by Sheets.
20:21 westbaystars: A slow curve that had Sheets way out in front.
20:21 zman: Sheets is looking terrible, I saw the last strikeout
20:21 zman: No confidence at all at the plate this year
20:21 westbaystars: So you're watching the game on TV, too?
20:22 westbaystars: Sheets lifts the ball to center.
20:22 westbaystars: Hirata gets under the ball moving toward right, and makes the catch.
20:22 westbaystars: That'll bring up Kanemoto, victim of two Kawakami Ks.
20:23 westbaystars: Is it a confidence problem with Sheets? I hadn't had that feeling. But I can't place what else it could be.
20:24 zman: My sense of it with him, its been a rough year.
20:24 westbaystars: Kanemoto gets the second Tiger hit of the game, a base hit up the middle.
20:25 zman: Not watching the tube at reading your notes helps to soften the blow
20:25 zman: you may recall I only have a tv in the bath room anyway
20:25 zman: I noticed that Ochiai has a binder or something in front of him in the dugout
20:25 westbaystars: Oh, that was you? OK. Now I remember.
20:26 westbaystars: Imaoka lifts the ball to right field.
20:26 westbaystars: Lee running full speed toward the foul wall in right.
20:26 westbaystars: And still on the run, just before running into the wall, Lee makes the catch.
20:27 westbaystars: The side is retired.
20:27 zman: I wonder if that is the book on how to beat the Tigers in the post season by bobby valentine
20:28 zman: this game is very familar with those from the J series between chiba and hanshin
20:28 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku is very smart. While he's always struck me as more of a manager from the gut,
20:28 zman: agree
20:28 westbaystars: ... I wouldn't be surprised if he reviews through notes on how to get the Tigers out.
20:29 westbaystars: He's not going to not use scouting tools.
20:29 westbaystars: ---
20:29 westbaystars: Bottom of 7th
20:29 westbaystars: ---
20:29 westbaystars: Lee grounds out to second on the first pitch by Darwin.
20:29 westbaystars: That brings up Hirata.
20:31 zman: The Dragons games are televised in Korea as well due to this Lee playing
20:31 westbaystars: It looks like Mori-pitching coach who's got the clip board and is constantly looking at it to me.
20:31 zman: Of course every YGs game is on live
20:31 westbaystars: Hirata draws a base on balls.
20:31 westbaystars: Yea. But the Giants' Lee seems to be the more popular.
20:32 westbaystars: He's been getting a lot of coverage through the year in The Korea Times.
20:32 zman: OK, when I saw it, it seemed that there was a binder in front of both of them
20:32 westbaystars: Tanishige pops a bunt up.
20:32 westbaystars: Darwin makes the catch, but the runner returns.
20:32 zman: By far, Giants Lee is like Matsui in Japan
20:33 westbaystars: Tatsunami pinch hits for Kawakami.
20:33 westbaystars: and he flies out to left on the first pitch.
20:33 westbaystars: Side is retired.
20:33 zman: Did you watch the game earlier today?
20:34 westbaystars: Yea. I watched that whole game.
20:34 westbaystars: ---
20:34 westbaystars: Top of 8th
20:34 westbaystars: ---
20:35 westbaystars: Ishii comes in to pitch the 8th for the Dragons.
20:35 westbaystars: Good news for Hanshin?
20:35 westbaystars: Well, he's faced the Tigers twice this season, not giving up a single earned run.
20:36 westbaystars: I posted the game log to the forum, if you can manage to read through it.
20:36 zman: Thanks
20:37 westbaystars: Sakurai leads off the 8th for the Tigers.
20:37 westbaystars: The short version of the game was that the Marines got to Darvish early.
20:37 westbaystars: But they got more out of Kubo.
20:38 zman: One bright spo in the line up this year for the Tigers
20:38 westbaystars: While an array of pitchers just allowed one more run after the second,
20:38 zman: One of the few . . .
20:38 westbaystars: ... it wasn't enough against Darvish.
20:39 westbaystars: Sakurai strikes out swinging for out number one.
20:39 zman: IC
20:39 westbaystars: Yano follows with a double one bounder to the left-center field fence.
20:39 zman: Thats ten now . . .
20:40 westbaystars: 10 Tigers down on strikes? Right.
20:40 westbaystars: Hamanaka is swinging a bat in the on-deck circle for Darwin.
20:40 westbaystars: While Sekimoto bats.
20:41 westbaystars: My impression of the Tigers was that trading Kida to Hiroshima was their turning point.
20:42 westbaystars: It was after that trade, and seeing how their prospect turned into a great #4 batter for Hiroshima ...
20:42 westbaystars: ... that made them realize that they should use what they've got on the farm.
20:42 westbaystars: Sekimoto draws a base on balls.
20:42 westbaystars: And Mori-pitching coach gets on the bull pen phone.
20:43 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku takes a slow walk out to the mound.
20:43 westbaystars: Even with a 7 runs lead, he doesn't want to take any chances.
20:44 westbaystars: Suzuki comes in.
20:44 zman: With Sheets and Kanemoto having off years they could have used any middle of the lineup help
20:45 zman: Maybe Ochiai is practicing his coaching techniques for the YGs series
20:45 westbaystars: Well, it was calling Lin, Akamatsu, and one other up that seemed to make a big difference.
20:45 westbaystars: Ochiai has the luxery of a strong, not overworked, pitching staff.
20:46 westbaystars: OK. Back to action. Hanshin has runners at first and second with one out.
20:46 zman: He has an offence
20:46 westbaystars: Katsuragi is the pinch hitter for Darwin.
20:46 zman: That is the key thing
20:47 westbaystars: True. Imaoka after Kanemoto isn't much protection.
20:47 westbaystars: Woods after Morino makes things interesting.
20:48 zman: Tonight for example?
20:48 westbaystars: Although missing Fukudome for the last couple of months didn't help.
20:49 zman: He is a stud, love to watch him hit
20:49 westbaystars: Exactly. You can't pitch around Morino and load the bases for Woods, so he hits a 3-run.
20:49 westbaystars: Katsuragi grounds out to Woods, who takes the ball to the bag by himself.
20:50 westbaystars: The runners move up a base to second and third.
20:50 westbaystars: And that brings Ochiai-kantoku out again.
20:50 zman: To be honest there is no one in the Tigers line up that demands being pitched around this year
20:50 westbaystars: He's listening to what Tanishige has to say.
20:50 westbaystars: That's interesting. Did Ochiai motion a sign to Mori, who was on the phone, for who to bring in?
20:50 westbaystars: Based on Tanishige's discussion?
20:52 westbaystars: Whether I'm seeing things or not, left handed Kusamoto comes in.
20:52 westbaystars: He's thrown agains the Tigers 7 times without giving up an earned run.
20:53 westbaystars: Left handed Toritani is next.
20:54 westbaystars: Back to the action. Two outs, runners at second and third. Toritani at the plate.
20:54 westbaystars: Tigers trailing 7-0.
20:54 westbaystars: Top of the 8th inning.
20:56 westbaystars: Did you reach this article: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sb20071013j1.html
20:56 westbaystars: Toritani draws a base on ball. The bases are loaded.
20:56 torakichi: And wishes this wasn't happening...
20:56 zman: brb
20:56 westbaystars: For Akahoshi.
20:57 westbaystars: Ground ball to the left side.
20:57 westbaystars: That's death to hitters.
20:57 westbaystars: Ibata fields the ball, throws to Araki for the force at second.
20:57 westbaystars: And the only Tiger threat this game is twarted.
20:58 westbaystars: After 7 and a half, the Tigers trail 7-0.
20:58 westbaystars: ---
20:58 westbaystars: Bottom of 8th
20:58 westbaystars: ---
20:59 westbaystars: Hashimoto takes the mound for the Tigers.
21:00 torakichi: Gee, but Chunichi has an enviable roster of starters.
21:00 westbaystars: How much of what happened are you aware of, Torakichi-san?
21:00 westbaystars: Kawakami's 5+ perfect innings?
21:00 westbaystars: Striking out 9 through 5?
21:01 zman: just read the article, seems spot on
21:01 westbaystars: We did see a lot of their relief corps in the 8th. That's got to count for something.
21:02 westbaystars: Araki leading off the bottom of the 8th.
21:02 torakichi: Only bits and pieces. Watched up until about 3rd, then had to go out. Hanshin's live scoring has filled me in some.
21:02 westbaystars: He lines the ball to right, but right to Lin.
21:02 westbaystars: One out.
21:03 torakichi: We all know Kawakami's good, but man that's some ineffectual batting from the HTs.
21:03 westbaystars: I missed the first four innings myself.
21:04 westbaystars: But will Tanaka or Asakura be able to match Kawakami's effectiveness?
21:04 westbaystars: Even given the Tigers' bats?
21:04 torakichi: Asakura will. Tanaka... not sure.
21:05 westbaystars: Ibata grounds out to Toritani at short.
21:05 westbaystars: Two away.
21:06 torakichi: Same old story from Shimoyanagi: gave up 3 or 4 in the 1st, *then* decides to pitch well.
21:06 westbaystars: That brings up Mr. Three Run, Morino.
21:06 westbaystars: Morino grounds the ball through the right side for a base hit.
21:07 westbaystars: I didn't think that Shimoyanagi looked that shaky when he was pulled.
21:07 westbaystars: But, maybe Okada-kantoku saw something I didn't.
21:07 zman: Woods again then . . .
21:07 westbaystars: Woods up to bat.
21:08 zman: Mr. Tiger killer . . . although at this point the Tigers just barely have a pulse
21:08 westbaystars: "44" signs up in the right field stands.
21:08 torakichi: That was an impressive HR in the 1st from Woods. Didn't seem to hit it *that* well, but still cleared the fence!
21:08 westbaystars: But Woods lifts a pitch up way too high.
21:09 westbaystars: Second baseman goes out and makes the catch in shallow right field.
21:09 westbaystars: The side is retired.
21:09 torakichi: Whew.
21:09 westbaystars: Tigers down to their last three outs.
21:09 westbaystars: Trailing 7-0.
21:09 westbaystars: ---
21:09 westbaystars: Top of 9th
21:09 westbaystars: ---
21:10 zman: Sheets, Kanemoto and Imaoka to save the evening
21:10 zman: or salvage it perhaps
21:10 westbaystars: I didn't get to see Woods' home run. But Morino's three run just barely cleared the right field wall.
21:11 westbaystars: Okamoto comes in to close.
21:12 westbaystars: Some defensive changes for the Dragons this inning.
21:12 westbaystars: So let me apologize up front for giving you the wrong names for the fielders.
21:13 westbaystars: One away.
21:13 westbaystars: Sheets grounds out to Araki at second. He throws to _Nori_ now at first.
21:13 westbaystars: And Ochiai-kantoku is coming out already.
21:13 zman: No worries
21:14 westbaystars: Looks like Okamoto was just point relief.
21:14 westbaystars: Cruz come out of the Dragon dugout at a run.
21:14 westbaystars: 1 and 3, 2.66 ERA in 17 games this season.
21:15 westbaystars: 0 and 2, 4.50 ERA against the Tigers this season.
21:15 westbaystars: Looks like he's had his troubles against the Tigers this year.
21:15 westbaystars: And Ochiai-kantoku wants him to face Kanemoto?
21:15 zman: Amazing all these changes with a seven run lead
21:15 westbaystars: Did I call Ochiai-kantoku smart earlier?
21:16 zman: Ochiai is coaching beyond this game now and making sure no one is rusty
21:16 westbaystars: Ah. Good point. OK. Ochiai-kantoku is a smart manager.
21:17 westbaystars: While Cruz bounces one to the backstop and another off his catcher.
21:17 westbaystars: Hmmm.
21:17 westbaystars: Third pitch gets over the plate and Kanemoto fouls it off to the left side.
21:17 westbaystars: And out of play.
21:18 westbaystars: And the 151kph 4th pitch as well.
21:18 westbaystars: Cruiz misses low and away with pitch number 5. Full count.
21:18 westbaystars: Kanemoto hits the ball just left of straight away center.
21:19 westbaystars: It's deep!
21:19 torakichi: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!
21:19 westbaystars: But not deep enough.
21:19 westbaystars: The center fielder makes the catch at the wall for out number two.
21:19 westbaystars: Cruiz's first pitch to Imaoka catches the inside corner for strike one.
21:19 zman: Dont do that . . .wanted to see that goose egg hatch!
21:19 westbaystars: Next pitch bounces, taken for ball one. 1 and 1.
21:20 westbaystars: Pitch number three is up high. Strike 1, ball 2.
21:20 westbaystars: Fourth offering misses low and away, ball 3.
21:20 zman: Cruz works as a gardener off season
21:21 westbaystars: Next offering, a biiiig swing and a miss. Full count.
21:21 westbaystars: Tigers down to their last pitch.
21:21 zman: is number 11 coming?
21:21 westbaystars: And Imaoka sticks the bat out late and grounds the ball through the right side.
21:21 westbaystars: Base hit!
21:22 westbaystars: That brings up Sakurai, hitting for the second time this game.
21:22 zman: Doctor, the body is still moving . . .
21:22 westbaystars: He foulds the first pitch off to the left side.
21:23 zman: Cruz is working fast . . must have a date after the game
21:23 westbaystars: After taking ball one, Sakurai fouls pitch number three past the third base coach.
21:23 westbaystars: "後一球" coming from the stands.
21:23 westbaystars: But it's not happening.
21:23 westbaystars: Sakurai lines the ball up the middle, base hit!
21:24 westbaystars: And Ochiai-kantoku is out of the dugout again.
21:24 westbaystars: Cruz still having trouble against the Tigers.
21:25 westbaystars: Hirai, the Dragon's last right hander, comes out of the dugout to take the mound.
21:27 westbaystars: Hirai has an 8.10 ERA against the Tigers in 4 games. No decisions.
21:27 westbaystars: First pitch misses for ball one.
21:27 westbaystars: Next pitch in the dirt outside. No strikes, two balls.
21:28 westbaystars: The third offering is lifted to right.
21:28 westbaystars: The right fielder takes a couple side steps toward the line.
21:28 westbaystars: And pulls the ball in for out number three.
21:28 torakichi: And that's all she wrote.
21:28 westbaystars: The Chunichi Dragons take Game 1 of Stage 1 in the 2007 CL CLimax Series.
21:28 westbaystars: ====
21:28 westbaystars: Game Final
21:29 westbaystars: Tigers 0 - 7 Dragons
21:29 westbaystars: ====
21:29 zman: Hirai just lowered his ERA . . .
21:29 torakichi: Ah well, guess we HT fans just have to hope for something better tomorrow.
21:29 westbaystars: Kawakami and Morino the game heros?
21:29 torakichi: *Must* be those two.
21:29 zman: Yes
21:30 zman: Looks like I will have to go to Nagoya to get my 10% discount
21:30 westbaystars: Who will the matchup be tomorrow?
21:30 zman: Not likely here in Osaka
21:31 westbaystars: Well, I'll probably miss a good portion of the first game tomorrow.
21:31 westbaystars: But will try to be here for the second game.
21:31 zman: Thanks Westbay-san for the play by play
21:32 torakichi: Thanks, Westbaystars-san.
21:32 westbaystars: My pleasure.
21:32 westbaystars: Hoping for 3 games.
21:32 westbaystars: Take care all.
The full game log from when I got home follows (mistakes included):
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2007/10/13 21:33
CHATROOM CL Climax Series 2007/Stage 1 Game 1
15:18 westbaystars: The Japan Times and Daily Yomiuri both have Climax Series
15:18 westbaystars: previews up.
15:18 westbaystars: Linked to from here:
15:18 westbaystars: http://www.japanesebaseball.com/forum/forum.jsp?forum=21
18:15 John Brooks: .
19:21 westbaystars: Just got home.
19:21 westbaystars: The score is 3-0 in the bottom of the 4th. Chunichi has at least one runner on.
19:22 westbaystars: Shimoyanagi looks like he's done for.
19:22 westbaystars: After 59 pitches.
19:22 westbaystars: Watanabe has been announced as the new pitcher.
19:23 westbaystars: A quick trip to Yahoo! Japan http://baseball.yahoo.co.jp/npb/live?id=2007101301
19:23 westbaystars: shows that the Dragons scored all three runs in the first.
19:24 westbaystars: Two on a home run by Woods.
19:24 westbaystars: Watanabe, vs. Chunichi, appeared in 9 games giving up no runs to no decision.
19:29 westbaystars: With two down and a runner at third, Ibata grounds out to short to end the threat.
19:30 westbaystars: After four complete, the Dragons lead 3-0.
19:33 westbaystars: ---
19:33 westbaystars: Top of 5th
19:33 westbaystars: ---
19:34 westbaystars: Kanemoto becomes strike out victim number 8 for Kawakami.
19:34 westbaystars: Hanshin has yet to get a single base runner this game. Kawakami is perfect through 4 1/3rd so far.
19:35 westbaystars: And Kawakami strikes out Imaoka on three pitches. Wow!
19:36 westbaystars: Lin grounds out to short on the first pitch.
19:36 westbaystars: 15 up, 15 down for Kawakami facing the Tigers.
19:36 westbaystars: ---
19:36 westbaystars: Bottom of 5th
19:36 westbaystars: ---
19:39 westbaystars: Toritani makes a fine play to get Morino at first on a ground ball to the left side.
19:40 westbaystars: That brings up Woods, who had a 2-run home run in the first.
19:42 westbaystars: And Woods goes down reaching for a pitch a bit too far outside to reach.
19:42 westbaystars: Two away.
19:42 westbaystars: Nakamura comes up 2 for 2 so far. A double and a single.
19:43 westbaystars: He strokes the second pitch over the shortstop and into left field. Base hit.
19:43 westbaystars: Nori is 3 for 3.
19:43 westbaystars: That brings up Lee.
19:44 westbaystars: And Lee makes contact, going the other way to left-center.
19:44 westbaystars: Nori rounds second and heads into third.
19:44 westbaystars: The throw comes back to second, where Lee is not sliding in.
19:45 westbaystars: Runners at the corners with two outs.
19:45 westbaystars: And that brings the Hanshin pitching coach out.
19:45 westbaystars: After a few words with Watanabe, he heads back to the third base side dugout.
19:46 westbaystars: Hirata comes up next.
19:46 westbaystars: Hirata goes the other way to right.
19:47 westbaystars: But right to where Lin has him played - at the warning track line.
19:47 westbaystars: Lin makes the catch for out number three.
19:47 westbaystars: The Dragons threaten, but come up empty.
19:47 westbaystars: --
19:47 westbaystars: 1st inning update
19:47 westbaystars: --
19:48 westbaystars: The first Dragon run in the first saw Araki reach on an error by the Tiger second baseman.
19:48 westbaystars: He swiped second.
19:48 westbaystars: Then scored on an Ibata hit to right-center.
19:50 westbaystars: Sorry, Ibata grounded out.
19:51 westbaystars: It was a single to right by Morino.
19:51 westbaystars: Then Woods hit the 2-run home run to right.
19:51 westbaystars: ---
19:51 westbaystars: Bottom of 6th
19:51 westbaystars: ---
19:51 westbaystars: Yano flies out to start off the 7th.
19:54 westbaystars: Sekimoto follows with a base hit through the left side!
19:54 westbaystars: There goes the perfect game!
19:54 westbaystars: And Okada-kantoku comes out with announce a pinch hitter.
19:55 westbaystars: It's Hiyama. Want to bet Kawakami doesn't pitch around him?
19:57 westbaystars: Hiyama lifts the ball up high to the right side.
19:57 westbaystars: Araki camps under it and makes the catch for out number two.
19:57 westbaystars: To the top of the order in Toritani.
19:58 westbaystars: Toritani makes solid contact with the ball, but it's a routine fly ball to center.
19:58 westbaystars: And the side is retired.
19:59 westbaystars: Whoops. That was the:
19:59 westbaystars: ---
19:59 westbaystars: Top of the 7th
19:59 westbaystars: ---
20:00 westbaystars: *** Top of 6th ***
20:00 westbaystars: ---
20:00 westbaystars: [See above]
20:00 westbaystars: ---
20:00 westbaystars: Bottom of 6th
20:00 westbaystars: ---
20:00 westbaystars: Kubota comes in to pitch for the Tigers.
20:01 westbaystars: He threw in 90 games during the season.
20:01 westbaystars: Vs. Chunichi he threw in 17 games.
20:03 westbaystars: Tanishige leads off with a single up the middle.
20:05 westbaystars: Kawakami bunts the ball up the first base line.
20:05 westbaystars: It's played by Kubota who waits for Kawakami to get close, then chaces him back a step to apply the touch.
20:05 westbaystars: It was a hard bunt. He might have had a play at second, but opted for one out.
20:05 westbaystars: Probably the best move.
20:06 westbaystars: That brings up Araki.
20:07 westbaystars: [I don't greet people - just in case they'd rather stay anonymous on the game log.]
20:07 westbaystars: [Otherwise, salutations.]
20:07 zman: thanks
20:08 westbaystars: Chunichi is up 3-0. Hanshin went to the bull pen early.
20:08 westbaystars: Shimoyanagi only going 3 1/3rd.
20:08 westbaystars: Araki hits a low liner up the middle.
20:08 westbaystars: Tanishige returns to the second base bag.
20:08 westbaystars: After making sure the ball will go through, Tanishige breaks for third on the base hit.
20:09 westbaystars: But that's all he'll get.
20:09 westbaystars: Runners at the corners, 1 down.
20:09 westbaystars: Chunichi looking to extend their 3 run lead.
20:09 zman: this is not looking good for the tigers, figure if they lose this one its going to be nearly impossible to come back
20:10 westbaystars: And Ibata grounds the ball through the right side, base hit!
20:10 westbaystars: Tanishige scores from third.
20:10 zman: are you watching the stikeout count?
20:10 westbaystars: The Tigers already have a phobia about Nagoya Dome.
20:10 westbaystars: This can't help.
20:10 westbaystars: No, I'm watching NHK BS1.
20:11 zman: nine strikeouts so far
20:11 westbaystars: Oh, strike outs?
20:11 westbaystars: Yea. Kawakami had 9 after 5.
20:11 zman: yes, by the tigers
20:11 zman: looking at yahoo sports box score
20:11 zman: one hit
20:11 westbaystars: Morino - はいったあああああぁぁぁぁぁ。
20:12 westbaystars: Morino just barely cleared the right field wall.
20:12 westbaystars: Putting the Dragons up 7-0.
20:13 westbaystars: That's it for Kubota.
20:13 zman: turn out the lights, the party is over
20:13 westbaystars: Darwin will be replacing him.
20:13 westbaystars: Kubota came in to keep this from getting out of hand, then he let it get out of hand.
20:15 westbaystars: There's a weak wave going around Nagoya Dome.
20:16 westbaystars: Woods' first pitch is lifted to right.
20:17 westbaystars: Second baseman Sekimoto makes the catch in shallow right field.
20:17 westbaystars: Two away.
20:17 westbaystars: The Tigers finally get Nakamura out, as he grounds out to second to end the inning.
20:18 westbaystars: But, the Dragons scored 4 against JFK's K to take a 7-0 lead after 6 complete.
20:18 westbaystars: ---
20:18 westbaystars: Top of 7th
20:18 westbaystars: ---
20:19 westbaystars: Did you know that Morino was known as Mr. Three Run in Nagoya?
20:19 westbaystars: That's what the announcers are saying.
20:19 zman: No, I will remember that now
20:19 westbaystars: Akahoshi leads off the 7th for the Tigers.
20:20 zman: They are a fine team
20:20 westbaystars: He lifts the ball to shallow center field.
20:20 westbaystars: Hirata makes a shoestring catch on the run!
20:20 westbaystars: Kawakami's 80th pitch of the game is a swing and a miss by Sheets.
20:21 westbaystars: A slow curve that had Sheets way out in front.
20:21 zman: Sheets is looking terrible, I saw the last strikeout
20:21 zman: No confidence at all at the plate this year
20:21 westbaystars: So you're watching the game on TV, too?
20:22 westbaystars: Sheets lifts the ball to center.
20:22 westbaystars: Hirata gets under the ball moving toward right, and makes the catch.
20:22 westbaystars: That'll bring up Kanemoto, victim of two Kawakami Ks.
20:23 westbaystars: Is it a confidence problem with Sheets? I hadn't had that feeling. But I can't place what else it could be.
20:24 zman: My sense of it with him, its been a rough year.
20:24 westbaystars: Kanemoto gets the second Tiger hit of the game, a base hit up the middle.
20:25 zman: Not watching the tube at reading your notes helps to soften the blow
20:25 zman: you may recall I only have a tv in the bath room anyway
20:25 zman: I noticed that Ochiai has a binder or something in front of him in the dugout
20:25 westbaystars: Oh, that was you? OK. Now I remember.
20:26 westbaystars: Imaoka lifts the ball to right field.
20:26 westbaystars: Lee running full speed toward the foul wall in right.
20:26 westbaystars: And still on the run, just before running into the wall, Lee makes the catch.
20:27 westbaystars: The side is retired.
20:27 zman: I wonder if that is the book on how to beat the Tigers in the post season by bobby valentine
20:28 zman: this game is very familar with those from the J series between chiba and hanshin
20:28 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku is very smart. While he's always struck me as more of a manager from the gut,
20:28 zman: agree
20:28 westbaystars: ... I wouldn't be surprised if he reviews through notes on how to get the Tigers out.
20:29 westbaystars: He's not going to not use scouting tools.
20:29 westbaystars: ---
20:29 westbaystars: Bottom of 7th
20:29 westbaystars: ---
20:29 westbaystars: Lee grounds out to second on the first pitch by Darwin.
20:29 westbaystars: That brings up Hirata.
20:31 zman: The Dragons games are televised in Korea as well due to this Lee playing
20:31 westbaystars: It looks like Mori-pitching coach who's got the clip board and is constantly looking at it to me.
20:31 zman: Of course every YGs game is on live
20:31 westbaystars: Hirata draws a base on balls.
20:31 westbaystars: Yea. But the Giants' Lee seems to be the more popular.
20:32 westbaystars: He's been getting a lot of coverage through the year in The Korea Times.
20:32 zman: OK, when I saw it, it seemed that there was a binder in front of both of them
20:32 westbaystars: Tanishige pops a bunt up.
20:32 westbaystars: Darwin makes the catch, but the runner returns.
20:32 zman: By far, Giants Lee is like Matsui in Japan
20:33 westbaystars: Tatsunami pinch hits for Kawakami.
20:33 westbaystars: and he flies out to left on the first pitch.
20:33 westbaystars: Side is retired.
20:33 zman: Did you watch the game earlier today?
20:34 westbaystars: Yea. I watched that whole game.
20:34 westbaystars: ---
20:34 westbaystars: Top of 8th
20:34 westbaystars: ---
20:35 westbaystars: Ishii comes in to pitch the 8th for the Dragons.
20:35 westbaystars: Good news for Hanshin?
20:35 westbaystars: Well, he's faced the Tigers twice this season, not giving up a single earned run.
20:36 westbaystars: I posted the game log to the forum, if you can manage to read through it.
20:36 zman: Thanks
20:37 westbaystars: Sakurai leads off the 8th for the Tigers.
20:37 westbaystars: The short version of the game was that the Marines got to Darvish early.
20:37 westbaystars: But they got more out of Kubo.
20:38 zman: One bright spo in the line up this year for the Tigers
20:38 westbaystars: While an array of pitchers just allowed one more run after the second,
20:38 zman: One of the few . . .
20:38 westbaystars: ... it wasn't enough against Darvish.
20:39 westbaystars: Sakurai strikes out swinging for out number one.
20:39 zman: IC
20:39 westbaystars: Yano follows with a double one bounder to the left-center field fence.
20:39 zman: Thats ten now . . .
20:40 westbaystars: 10 Tigers down on strikes? Right.
20:40 westbaystars: Hamanaka is swinging a bat in the on-deck circle for Darwin.
20:40 westbaystars: While Sekimoto bats.
20:41 westbaystars: My impression of the Tigers was that trading Kida to Hiroshima was their turning point.
20:42 westbaystars: It was after that trade, and seeing how their prospect turned into a great #4 batter for Hiroshima ...
20:42 westbaystars: ... that made them realize that they should use what they've got on the farm.
20:42 westbaystars: Sekimoto draws a base on balls.
20:42 westbaystars: And Mori-pitching coach gets on the bull pen phone.
20:43 westbaystars: Ochiai-kantoku takes a slow walk out to the mound.
20:43 westbaystars: Even with a 7 runs lead, he doesn't want to take any chances.
20:44 westbaystars: Suzuki comes in.
20:44 zman: With Sheets and Kanemoto having off years they could have used any middle of the lineup help
20:45 zman: Maybe Ochiai is practicing his coaching techniques for the YGs series
20:45 westbaystars: Well, it was calling Lin, Akamatsu, and one other up that seemed to make a big difference.
20:45 westbaystars: Ochiai has the luxery of a strong, not overworked, pitching staff.
20:46 westbaystars: OK. Back to action. Hanshin has runners at first and second with one out.
20:46 zman: He has an offence
20:46 westbaystars: Katsuragi is the pinch hitter for Darwin.
20:46 zman: That is the key thing
20:47 westbaystars: True. Imaoka after Kanemoto isn't much protection.
20:47 westbaystars: Woods after Morino makes things interesting.
20:48 zman: Tonight for example?
20:48 westbaystars: Although missing Fukudome for the last couple of months didn't help.
20:49 zman: He is a stud, love to watch him hit
20:49 westbaystars: Exactly. You can't pitch around Morino and load the bases for Woods, so he hits a 3-run.
20:49 westbaystars: Katsuragi grounds out to Woods, who takes the ball to the bag by himself.
20:50 westbaystars: The runners move up a base to second and third.
20:50 westbaystars: And that brings Ochiai-kantoku out again.
20:50 zman: To be honest there is no one in the Tigers line up that demands being pitched around this year
20:50 westbaystars: He's listening to what Tanishige has to say.
20:50 westbaystars: That's interesting. Did Ochiai motion a sign to Mori, who was on the phone, for who to bring in?
20:50 westbaystars: Based on Tanishige's discussion?
20:52 westbaystars: Whether I'm seeing things or not, left handed Kusamoto comes in.
20:52 westbaystars: He's thrown agains the Tigers 7 times without giving up an earned run.
20:53 westbaystars: Left handed Toritani is next.
20:54 westbaystars: Back to the action. Two outs, runners at second and third. Toritani at the plate.
20:54 westbaystars: Tigers trailing 7-0.
20:54 westbaystars: Top of the 8th inning.
20:56 westbaystars: Did you reach this article: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sb20071013j1.html
20:56 westbaystars: Toritani draws a base on ball. The bases are loaded.
20:56 torakichi: And wishes this wasn't happening...
20:56 zman: brb
20:56 westbaystars: For Akahoshi.
20:57 westbaystars: Ground ball to the left side.
20:57 westbaystars: That's death to hitters.
20:57 westbaystars: Ibata fields the ball, throws to Araki for the force at second.
20:57 westbaystars: And the only Tiger threat this game is twarted.
20:58 westbaystars: After 7 and a half, the Tigers trail 7-0.
20:58 westbaystars: ---
20:58 westbaystars: Bottom of 8th
20:58 westbaystars: ---
20:59 westbaystars: Hashimoto takes the mound for the Tigers.
21:00 torakichi: Gee, but Chunichi has an enviable roster of starters.
21:00 westbaystars: How much of what happened are you aware of, Torakichi-san?
21:00 westbaystars: Kawakami's 5+ perfect innings?
21:00 westbaystars: Striking out 9 through 5?
21:01 zman: just read the article, seems spot on
21:01 westbaystars: We did see a lot of their relief corps in the 8th. That's got to count for something.
21:02 westbaystars: Araki leading off the bottom of the 8th.
21:02 torakichi: Only bits and pieces. Watched up until about 3rd, then had to go out. Hanshin's live scoring has filled me in some.
21:02 westbaystars: He lines the ball to right, but right to Lin.
21:02 westbaystars: One out.
21:03 torakichi: We all know Kawakami's good, but man that's some ineffectual batting from the HTs.
21:03 westbaystars: I missed the first four innings myself.
21:04 westbaystars: But will Tanaka or Asakura be able to match Kawakami's effectiveness?
21:04 westbaystars: Even given the Tigers' bats?
21:04 torakichi: Asakura will. Tanaka... not sure.
21:05 westbaystars: Ibata grounds out to Toritani at short.
21:05 westbaystars: Two away.
21:06 torakichi: Same old story from Shimoyanagi: gave up 3 or 4 in the 1st, *then* decides to pitch well.
21:06 westbaystars: That brings up Mr. Three Run, Morino.
21:06 westbaystars: Morino grounds the ball through the right side for a base hit.
21:07 westbaystars: I didn't think that Shimoyanagi looked that shaky when he was pulled.
21:07 westbaystars: But, maybe Okada-kantoku saw something I didn't.
21:07 zman: Woods again then . . .
21:07 westbaystars: Woods up to bat.
21:08 zman: Mr. Tiger killer . . . although at this point the Tigers just barely have a pulse
21:08 westbaystars: "44" signs up in the right field stands.
21:08 torakichi: That was an impressive HR in the 1st from Woods. Didn't seem to hit it *that* well, but still cleared the fence!
21:08 westbaystars: But Woods lifts a pitch up way too high.
21:09 westbaystars: Second baseman goes out and makes the catch in shallow right field.
21:09 westbaystars: The side is retired.
21:09 torakichi: Whew.
21:09 westbaystars: Tigers down to their last three outs.
21:09 westbaystars: Trailing 7-0.
21:09 westbaystars: ---
21:09 westbaystars: Top of 9th
21:09 westbaystars: ---
21:10 zman: Sheets, Kanemoto and Imaoka to save the evening
21:10 zman: or salvage it perhaps
21:10 westbaystars: I didn't get to see Woods' home run. But Morino's three run just barely cleared the right field wall.
21:11 westbaystars: Okamoto comes in to close.
21:12 westbaystars: Some defensive changes for the Dragons this inning.
21:12 westbaystars: So let me apologize up front for giving you the wrong names for the fielders.
21:13 westbaystars: One away.
21:13 westbaystars: Sheets grounds out to Araki at second. He throws to _Nori_ now at first.
21:13 westbaystars: And Ochiai-kantoku is coming out already.
21:13 zman: No worries
21:14 westbaystars: Looks like Okamoto was just point relief.
21:14 westbaystars: Cruz come out of the Dragon dugout at a run.
21:14 westbaystars: 1 and 3, 2.66 ERA in 17 games this season.
21:15 westbaystars: 0 and 2, 4.50 ERA against the Tigers this season.
21:15 westbaystars: Looks like he's had his troubles against the Tigers this year.
21:15 westbaystars: And Ochiai-kantoku wants him to face Kanemoto?
21:15 zman: Amazing all these changes with a seven run lead
21:15 westbaystars: Did I call Ochiai-kantoku smart earlier?
21:16 zman: Ochiai is coaching beyond this game now and making sure no one is rusty
21:16 westbaystars: Ah. Good point. OK. Ochiai-kantoku is a smart manager.
21:17 westbaystars: While Cruz bounces one to the backstop and another off his catcher.
21:17 westbaystars: Hmmm.
21:17 westbaystars: Third pitch gets over the plate and Kanemoto fouls it off to the left side.
21:17 westbaystars: And out of play.
21:18 westbaystars: And the 151kph 4th pitch as well.
21:18 westbaystars: Cruiz misses low and away with pitch number 5. Full count.
21:18 westbaystars: Kanemoto hits the ball just left of straight away center.
21:19 westbaystars: It's deep!
21:19 torakichi: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!
21:19 westbaystars: But not deep enough.
21:19 westbaystars: The center fielder makes the catch at the wall for out number two.
21:19 westbaystars: Cruiz's first pitch to Imaoka catches the inside corner for strike one.
21:19 zman: Dont do that . . .wanted to see that goose egg hatch!
21:19 westbaystars: Next pitch bounces, taken for ball one. 1 and 1.
21:20 westbaystars: Pitch number three is up high. Strike 1, ball 2.
21:20 westbaystars: Fourth offering misses low and away, ball 3.
21:20 zman: Cruz works as a gardener off season
21:21 westbaystars: Next offering, a biiiig swing and a miss. Full count.
21:21 westbaystars: Tigers down to their last pitch.
21:21 zman: is number 11 coming?
21:21 westbaystars: And Imaoka sticks the bat out late and grounds the ball through the right side.
21:21 westbaystars: Base hit!
21:22 westbaystars: That brings up Sakurai, hitting for the second time this game.
21:22 zman: Doctor, the body is still moving . . .
21:22 westbaystars: He foulds the first pitch off to the left side.
21:23 zman: Cruz is working fast . . must have a date after the game
21:23 westbaystars: After taking ball one, Sakurai fouls pitch number three past the third base coach.
21:23 westbaystars: "後一球" coming from the stands.
21:23 westbaystars: But it's not happening.
21:23 westbaystars: Sakurai lines the ball up the middle, base hit!
21:24 westbaystars: And Ochiai-kantoku is out of the dugout again.
21:24 westbaystars: Cruz still having trouble against the Tigers.
21:25 westbaystars: Hirai, the Dragon's last right hander, comes out of the dugout to take the mound.
21:27 westbaystars: Hirai has an 8.10 ERA against the Tigers in 4 games. No decisions.
21:27 westbaystars: First pitch misses for ball one.
21:27 westbaystars: Next pitch in the dirt outside. No strikes, two balls.
21:28 westbaystars: The third offering is lifted to right.
21:28 westbaystars: The right fielder takes a couple side steps toward the line.
21:28 westbaystars: And pulls the ball in for out number three.
21:28 torakichi: And that's all she wrote.
21:28 westbaystars: The Chunichi Dragons take Game 1 of Stage 1 in the 2007 CL CLimax Series.
21:28 westbaystars: ====
21:28 westbaystars: Game Final
21:29 westbaystars: Tigers 0 - 7 Dragons
21:29 westbaystars: ====
21:29 zman: Hirai just lowered his ERA . . .
21:29 torakichi: Ah well, guess we HT fans just have to hope for something better tomorrow.
21:29 westbaystars: Kawakami and Morino the game heros?
21:29 torakichi: *Must* be those two.
21:29 zman: Yes
21:30 zman: Looks like I will have to go to Nagoya to get my 10% discount
21:30 westbaystars: Who will the matchup be tomorrow?
21:30 zman: Not likely here in Osaka
21:31 westbaystars: Well, I'll probably miss a good portion of the first game tomorrow.
21:31 westbaystars: But will try to be here for the second game.
21:31 zman: Thanks Westbay-san for the play by play
21:32 torakichi: Thanks, Westbaystars-san.
21:32 westbaystars: My pleasure.
21:32 westbaystars: Hoping for 3 games.
21:32 westbaystars: Take care all.
Re: CLCS Stage 1 Game 1
[ Author: Deanna | Posted: Oct 14, 2007 12:08 AM
| NIP Fan
]
What a great day!
Fighters win, Dragons win, Darvish gets a CG, and Morino hits a signature 3-run homer! And of course, Kenshin Kawakami started looking like his 2006 self again.
And, for the record, Morino as "Mr. 3-Run" was even mentioned on the back of his BBM 2nd Series baseball card this year. He's so awesome.
(Yeah, I am rooting for another D-F Series.)
Fighters win, Dragons win, Darvish gets a CG, and Morino hits a signature 3-run homer! And of course, Kenshin Kawakami started looking like his 2006 self again.
And, for the record, Morino as "Mr. 3-Run" was even mentioned on the back of his BBM 2nd Series baseball card this year. He's so awesome.
(Yeah, I am rooting for another D-F Series.)
About
This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
It is my sincere hope that once you learn a bit about what we're about here that you will join the community of contributors.
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(aka westbaystars)
Founder
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Some rights reserved.
Nonetheless, I've opened a chat room for this evening's game for those who can't get to Nagoya Dome to discuss the game as it's happening. I won't be doing a play by play, but will try to participate in the conversation to some degree. (Or leave it to the Tigers' fans to hash it out.)