You are here: Home / Game Reports / 2009 Season Game Reports / 8/9/09 — Yomiuri (Away)

8/9/09 — Yomiuri (Away)

August 9, 2009 by Leave a Comment

August 9th, 2009

Tokyo Yakult Swallows cap

Tokyo Yakult Swallows 0

Yomiuri Giants 2

 

Streak: Lost 5   Last 5: LLLLL

(Tokyo Dome)

Well, for the second day in a row we were treated to a bit of a pitcher’s duel. And for the second day in a row, a Kamei home run sent Tokyo packing.

Yoshinori had a good outing today despite the loss.

Yoshinori (5-6, 3.44 ERA) had a great start for the birds, lasting seven inning, throwing 101 pitches, giving up six hits and two earned runs, striking out seven and walking none.

But those two earned runs were all it took.

Takahashi took the mound for Yomiuri and had an even more impressive outing given that he didn’t allow any runs to cross home plate.

The Swallows got a couple of guys on base on three different occasions, but they were never able to capitalize. Additionally, all of the continued bunting, and how predictable Takada’s moves are, had even the commentators on the evening news laughing.

Aoki was the only player with a multi-hit game for Tokyo, and no other player reached base more than once.

Matsuoka (2.79) pitched the eighth for his 39th appearance of the season.

The fatal blow occurred in the seventh after Ramirez reached base on a two out single, and then Kamei belted another one over the wall in right field (he had yesterday’s walk off homer as well). 2-0 Yomiuri.

So that’s five losses in a row, and the team looks a bit listless on offense at the moment. That is in no small This fellow is Tokyo's main challenge.part due to Takada bunting like there’s no tomorrow and making questionable choices for pinch hitters.

Open comment to the manager: you have a very competent team in terms of offense. Stop tinkering. You had reasonable success with it during the first half of the year, but you’ve long since lost your touch. Stop being so predictable (bunts, steals, hit and runs, etc.) because it’s starting to get embarrassing. Also, in a tight game, don’t put in someone who you didn’t feel was good enough to play during the first half of the season. Please trust your players for once.

As usual, I should have raised it a few games ago, so it’s definitely due (apologies, Flick, for the delay):

TAKADA COUNT: 4

Now the birds have a day off to regroup before they face another team they can’t beat, the Yokohama Baystars, for a three game series at Jingu from Tuesday to Thursday this week.

See you there!

Filed Under: 2009 Season Game Reports, Game Reports Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
About Christopher Pellegrini

Christopher is a budding sabermetrician and long-time supporter of Tokyo's more lovable team, the Swallows. He has publicly volunteered, several times, that he plans to buy the team at some point in the future. When he finally runs the joint, it is likely that he will fine any player who swings at the first pitch or sac bunts (unless it's a pitcher, of course). Follow him on Twitter: @chrispellegrini

  • http://www.tokyoswallows.com Christopher Pellegrini

    Just in case someone’s counting:
    after a decent July, Aoki is batting .323 through eight games so far this month.

    He’s also drawn five walks.

    He still leads the team with a .369 OBP.

  • flick

    Like I said, I have respect for small-ball, but these past couple of games have been down-right emabrassing.
    I can’t believe that fugger pulled Guiel in the 7th to replace him with Noguchi so he can bunt. Granted Aaron has been rusty against the Giants, what good will come out of this, even if Noguchi was successful (sadly he wasn’t)?? Not only do you give away an out, you lose the trust of a player who was very helpful in the team’s success so far. Man, the frustration and sadness on Guiel’s face, was just horrible.
    And as mentioned before, the Nakao (who??) substitution… terrible. I think Takada is getting paid by his former team.

  • http://www.japanesebaseball.com/ westbaystars

    Gee, you were complaining about Yokohama walking all over you guys. At least they beat you as a team. You just head over to The Dome and let this runt of a Giant beat you a few games in a row? Shame. :P

    • http://www.transpacificradio.com/ Garrett DeOrio

      Yep.

      (whimper)