Chunichi Dragons 3

Hanshin Tigers 7

(Kyocera Dome)

Hanshin punched back tonight with a four-run first and a three-run sixth. The series is now level at 1-1 with the decisive game three slated for tomorrow night at Kyocera Dome.

Things just didn’t really go Chunichi’s way tonight. They managed to hit into three double plays and Chen (9.00) got roughed up early on.

For the home team, Toritani went 2-4 with two home runs and four rbi’s. Otherwise, Sekimoto, Kanemoto and Yano all reached base twice.

Lebowski Shimoyanagi (3.38) made it 5.1 innings while giving up two earned runs off of five hits, two K’s and three walks. JKF also featured in this one (I know that the order of those letters is not as it’s commonly advertised, but it’s not my fault that Fujikawa always pitches after Kubota).

Morino and Woods both had solo home runs for Chunichi. It was Morino’s second homer of the series. Wada also chipped in by reaching base three times (two walks and a single).

The right to play the Yomiuri Giants hangs in the balance, so enjoy watching tomorrow night’s game (if you have cable).

Chunichi Dragons 2

Hanshin Tigers 0

(Kyocera Dome)

Chunichi ace, Kenshin Kawakami, lasted seven strong innings tonight. He gave up just four hits and two walks while striking out six.

Hanshin starter, Yuuya Andou, gave up only one run off of four hits in five innings of work (2 K’s, 1 walk), but he was pulled in the bottom of the fifth in favor of veteran infielder, Shinjirou Hiyama, who promptly struck out.

On offense, Tyrone Woods had an rbi single in the first to score Chunichi’s first run, and centerfielder/third baseman, Masahiko Morino, led off the sixth with a solo shot to right.

Chunichi leads best-of-three series 1-0, and game two is tomorrow night at Kyocera Dome (6:00 PM).