4/15/09 – Yomiuri (Home)

April 15th, 2009

Yomiuri Giants 6

Tokyo Yakult Swallows 2

Streak: Lost 2  Last 5: WLWLL

(Jingu Stadium)

Tokyo left a bunch of guys on base tonight and weren’t able to apply pressure in the later innings of the game. So the inaugural edition of the annual Tokyo derby, unlike last year, ended up being taken quite easily by the visiting Yomiuri Giants.

Masao Kida, in his second start of the season, gave up five earned runs through six innings off of seven hits, five walks and a single plunked batter. That’s a one game WHIP of over 2.0 (if you count the one beaning, which I usually do), so it’s pretty easy to understand why five runs crossed the plate. His record now stands at 1-1 and his ERA is 6.55.

The Swallows got to face former teammate Seth Greisinger (2-1, 4.86) who had a pretty good night by

Tokyo starter, Masao Kida, struggled with his control on Wednesday.

comparison. He surrendered only two runs from the ten hits that were scattered throughout his seven innings on the mound.

This was the third game in a row that Fukuchi started the game three for three. His average is now .356 and he carries a steadier glove than any of the alternatives in left field.

K. Kawashima, Miyamoto and Aikawa reached base twice each while Aoki and Guiel drove in the two runs that Tokyo was able to salvage.

Jamie D’Antona again failed to reach base. He is 0-12 in his last three games.

Ricky Barrett (or “Licky” according to the fan guide book that you get when signing up for the fan club!) made his first regular season appearance today and made it through both the 7th and 8th innings without giving up a run (he got the Giants to hit into double plays to end both innings).

Following Barrett (0.00) was Hagiwara (2.46) who gave up Yomiuri’s sixth run in the top of the ninth.

The final game of the series is tomorrow night starting at six o’clock. The crowd this evening was kind of weak, so there’s no need to panic that tickets won’t be available. It actually kind of seemed like there were more Tokyo supporters there tonight than Yomiuri fans. With rain possibly coming into the mix tomorrow, you should be able to waltz up just before game time and have little trouble finding a seat.