Tonight’s highlight actually came after the game, when a pair of Carp fans, in a show of unity with their hosts, paraded around the perimeter of the stadium dragging two of those stupid “Giabbits” on ropes and encouraging one and all to kick stomp and otherwise give the country’s most idiotic mascot (appropriate symbol of its team though it may be) its just deserts.

Wish I could have been there to give it a good kicking!

As for the game, as undramatic a victory as it may have been, but it just goes to show how formidable we can be from a pitching perspective.

If the starter puts in an effective shift, as Yoshinori did last night, the quartet of Matsuoka, Oshimoto, Igarashi and Lim are there to hold on to that win. That quartet’s continual effectiveness, especially being used as much as they will be (see Matsuoka & Oshimoto’s 2008 appearances for proof of that) will be key to the drive for the playoffs. At least Igarashi has joined the group so it’s one extra body to help carry the load compared to last year.