Dragons... Magic 1.

The title of this article was supposed to be "Yano, thanks for all" or something like that. But since Hanshin lost 3 - 4 against Yokohama things have changed. Now the Dragons have the magic number. Even if the Tigers win all their remaining games, if the Dragons win after tomorrow they will be the League champions.

Hanshin's starter was Kubo, and he pitched as expected from him: 8 innings, 1 run (a HR), 4 hits including the HR, 8 K, 1 dead ball. In the 9th inning, the Tigers were winning 3 to 1 (runs scored by Hirano, Tori and Brazell).

The ceremony for Yano' retire was today, so he was supposed to enter the game after two outs in the 9th inning. The fans were waiting impatiently, but on the mound Kyuji was as tense as them. The batter received a BB. Captain Tori tried to calm him down, but he did not succeed. Kyuji was not able to throw in the strike zone, so Johjima also went to talk to him. However the second batter also received a BB. The next batter was Murata. He had already hit a HR from Kubo. When Kubo-coach went to the mound nobody could imagine that Kyuji (it's Kyuji after all!) was going to lose the magic and to prevent Yano from playing one last time in Koshien. Besides, Kubo-coach calmly went back to the dugout. But Murata hit. Murton jumped near the fence and fell down, without the ball. After the homerun, the batter were eliminated but Yano did not play.

Bottom of the 9th. Johjima, was struck out, trying to hit a ball. Hiyama popped the ball up. But for Hanshin it is not over until it is not over. Sekimoto made a promise to Yano. And he fulfilled it: he hit over the left field. For Yokohama's pitcher, it was not easy to pitch under the cheers of the Hanshin-fans! Murton also hit and the pinch runner Yamato reached the 3rd base. Unfortunately, Hirano's batted ball was caught by the short stop.

The ceremony for Yano was very moving. Thank you, really. Tigers, we will cheer you tomorrow too!