Hanshin vs Hiroshima: 11th match.

Score

Sayonara win by Toritani. Hanshin won five consecutive games to Hiroshima and is still at 0.5 from the Giants.

Unexpectedly the game was won in extra innings. The Tigers scored the first two runs in the 4th inning thanks to Brazell and Kanemoto. But in the 5th inning, an error of the center fielder Asai allowed Kura (8ht batter and catcher of Hiroshima) to reach the third base. Then he could score the run thanks to a wild pitch of the starter Naoto Tsuru. Iwamoto hit a homerun and tied in the 7th inning.

Since Kyuji Fujikawa, our official closer, had already pitched in the 9th inning, Andoh was the one who took the plate in the 10th. It was the third time he played as relief pitcher this season. He was beaten by the opposing batters. First Huber hit, then a sacrifice bunt from the lead-off Higashide, followed by a hit from Soyogi, and finally Akamatsu (former player of Hanshin) drove in two runs. After this eventful third of inning, Andoh was replaced by the rookie Masanori Fujihara. At this moment he could not imagine that he was about to win his first victory.

The Hanshin fans were waiting for Hanshin's offense without conviction. Indeed, they were busy criticizing Andoh and captain Toritani, whose outcome today was three strike outs and a grounder. Lin's fans were again the first to leave the gloominess behind when their idol hit a homerun right in the middle of the back screen. Maybe Wei-Chu Lin's fielding is not that good but there is no doubt that he is a formidable batter. The audience was also delighted at Sekimoto's hit. Then came Toritani's turn. Many people wanted to see him in the second team or at least in the bottom of the line-up. But Tori would not be the captain Tori if he was unable to break the deadlock. "God Bird", as some like to call him, batted a two run homerun just at the limit of the left field.

Other things that should be mentioned: Arai's three hits and Kanemoto's awesome catch (you can see it in the video).

Now it is time talk about tomorrow's game. Keiji Uezono kept us waiting but this time he is really announced as tomorrow's starter. His opponent's name is Shinoda and just like him has 3 wins and 3 losses. Zono has a better ERA (3.69 against 4.39), and he is right-handed whereas Shinoda is left-handed. This also will be an interesting game.