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9/3/09 — Hanshin (Away)

September 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

September 3rd, 2009

Sanshin TigersTokyo Yakult Swallows cap

Tokyo Yakult Swallows 4

Hanshin Tigers 2

Streak: Won 1    Last 5:  LLLLW

(Koshien)

Tokyo finally broke it’s losing streak on the back of a solid, complete-game 134-pitch performance by Ishikawa.

Ishikawa went the full nine.

Tokyo’s starting lineup:

1. Fukuchi (LF)
2. Tanaka (2B)
3. Aoki (CF)
4. D’Antona (1B)
5. Guiel (RF)
6. Miyamoto (3B)
7. Kawashima (SS)
8. Aikawa (C)
9. Ishikawa (P)

Tokyo scored the first run of the game in the fourth when D’Antona’s walk, Guiel’s single to center, and Miyamoto’s beanball loaded the bases for Kawashima to hit a sacrifice fly to right that scored one. 1-0 Swallows.

However, Hanshin scored a run in the bottom of that inning when a bases-loaded groundout resulted in a runner crossing home plate. 1-1.

In the fifth, Fukuchi’s one-out single to right was eventually followed by an Aoki two-out single to right that brought the former home. 2-1 Tokyo.

And Guiel’s leadoff homer in the sixth put the score at 3-1 birds.

The Swallows scored their fourth and final run of the game when the oft/overused Egusa was brought in to handle the eighth. He got the first two outs relatively easily before things fell apart. Guiel drew a walk before Miyamoto’s single made things very interesting. Egusa proceeded to walk both Kawashima and Keizo to push Guiel home from third. 4-1 Swallows.

The Tigers got one run back in the bottom of that inning when Brazell scored on a Kanou single to right. 4-2 Tokyo.

And that’s basically how the game ended. Ishikawa’s resourceful and unrelenting night on the pitcher’s mound was rewarded with season win number 10. His ERA dropped slightly to 3.42.

The offensive player of the evening was Guiel who went 2-3 with a home run (number 22 on the year) and also added a walk. He ended up scoring two runs in this game and notched a single rbi.

Similarly, Miyamoto reached base three times care of two hits and a beaning.

Hopefully the Swallows can turn things around and have a month above .500 in September. Another high-stakes series begins tomorrow night as the Swallows return to Tokyo but head across town to take on first-place Yomiuri.

Friday night’s game starts at 6 pm.

Filed Under: 2009 Season, Results Archive 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

  • Rob

    Guiel working left-handed Egusa for that walk with two out in the eighth was happy. Also a surprise that he wasn’t yanked for a pinch hitter there, given the way The Manager usually uses him.
    Seeing Guiel motor to third from first on Miyamoto’s single was also great. I hope they bring some of that fire for the orange smurfs tonight.

    • http://www.tokyoyakultswallows.wordpress.com.com David Watkins

      Indeed. I also thought Aikawa showed great patience for his bases loaded walk in the 8th, especially as he struck out in a similar situation in the 4th.

      The team did show a bit of fire yesterday, and looked delighted at the victory. But they’ll need more than fire to walk away with anything at the inflatable stain-dome.

      You never know though. You never know.

  • Jingu Bleacher Bum

    The title of this article has the score reveresed!

    I seem to see a strange character on my keyboard next to the Q and E keys. I’ve never seen it before? Has anybody else here? Maybe I just forgot about it? That strange symbol seems to have gained a number next to the L column… :P

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

      Jingu Bleacher Bum,
      Doh! Thanks for the heads up. Post corrected.