Comments on: 6/28/09 – Yomiuri (Away)

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:19:13 +0000

Okay, okay, I can deal with one of three. I would rather TYS had swept That Other Team, but the only series with Them that matters will be at the end of the year, the series that will bring That Team’s season to an end. Heh!

So let’s focus on, um, beating Yokohama? And the rest of the CL.

By: David Watkins

David Watkins — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:19:27 +0000

Aoki certainly had one to forget, especially with that misplay in the field in the 1st on Sunday that allowed Ogasawara to triple and Sakamoto to score the first run.

When he’s hot, the team usually fires too as shown by the IL run in. Maybe he’s just another of the Swallows who can’t get it together against the Giants?

Well hopefully he’ll get it going again from tonight.

And Aikawa’s solo shot was the sole ray of light as it stopped Utsumi from getting his complete game shut-out. He seems to have discovered how to hit for a bit of power recently too, and long may that continue.

In fact I attribute a sizeable chunk of the Swallows rejuvenation down to Aikawa. Since Furuta a huge hole had opened in the lineup, and we couldn’t find a catcher with a good baseball brain behind the plate AND one that could hit over .250.

Aikawa seems to be that man. I’m a big fan.

By: flick

flick — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:43:24 +0000

Wow the last 11. I guess that goes back to last years opener, where they swept the Giants.
What did you think about Aoki’s performance this past series? I thought he was out of his slump…. sad…
Aikawa’s HR yesterday was awesome in that it had “FU Giants” written all over it. Too little, too late, but still it put a smile on my face.

By: David Watkins

David Watkins — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:22:56 +0000

I noticed that too flick. He kept pitching that slow curve that clocked in at around the mid 80s (kmph).

Lee’s first hit of the game came off it (the first pitch he saw). You could see him bracing himself for something faster, then realising it was the slow curve he just readjusted and waited before smacking it for a single to right. Easy.

Ishikawa did throw the same pitch (albeit a slightly faster version) for a strike for Lee’s second at bat which was some brave pitch-calling from Aikawa.

You are right, he did throw a hell of a lot of them. Maybe it was due to a lack of confidence in his other stuff, and that first inning can’t have helped in that regard.

Yep, Sakamoto is becoming a real pain in the ass. Words can’t express how annoying I find him, as good as he may be…….bastard indeed!

They really need to get over their Tokyo Dome complex if they’ve any chance of overtaking Yomiuri. And their home form against the Giants too as that hasn’t been all that either.

Tokyo have now lost the last 11 series against Yomiuri.

By: flick

flick — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:15:28 +0000

What's up with Ishikawa's slow-ball? I don't think I have ever seen him pitch so many in one game. Man, Sakamoto has been batting .552 against Yakult. Bastard!