July 6th, 2008
Tokyo Yakult Swallows 5 
Hiroshima Toyo Carp 3
Streak: Won 1. Last 5: LLLDW
(Hiroshima Municipal Stadium)
A two run triple from Fukuchi in a three run 8th inning was enough to edge the Swallows past Hiroshima on Sunday afternoon, and end Tokyo’s winless streak at four games.
Yakult’s starter was Masubuchi, who had a good start on his return to the starting rotation, giving up just one run off four hits in his six innings.
The Carp started the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd inning, Alex getting the timely hit to bring home Higashide for a 0-1 lead.
But Tokyo would draw level in the top of the 4th. Two hits from Aoki and Tanaka off veteran Hiroshima starter Takahashi, and a sacrifice fly from Kawashima brought the score to 1-1.
Yakult then pulled ahead in the 6th inning. A solo home run from Aoki, his 11th of the year, made it 2-1 Tokyo.
Matsuoka relieved Masubichi in the 7th, but he couldn’t hold onto the win for the young starter. A timely hit from the red-hot Higashide tied up the score at 2-2.
But the Swallows would pull ahead for good in the top of the 8th inning off Carp reliever Mike Shultz. A two out triple from Fukuchi brought home Kawashima and Takeuchi from second and first and gave the Swallows a 4-2 lead. Miyamoto would then hit between the gap between first and second to bring home Fukuchi for 5-2.
Oshimoto gave up a run in the 8th but that was the last of the game as Lim shut up shop in the 9th to secure a much needed 5-3 win for Yakult.
Matsuoka picked up the win in relief, his 4th of the year, while Lim picked up his 20th save of the season.
Yakult next sees action on Tuesday night back at Jingu Stadium for the first of a three game series with the Yokohama Baystars.
Also on July 6th: Yakult Say No to OLimpics
About David Watkins
