Giants Suffer Defeat Against Tigers in Tokyo Dome
The Giants faced a disappointing loss against the Hanshin Tigers at Tokyo Dome, with a final score of 6-9. This season’s record against their rivals stands at 4 wins, 14 losses, and 1 draw, with 6 games remaining. Manager Tatsunori Hara expressed his concern over the pitching staff issuing 10 walks during the game, highlighting the inability to finish strong.
During the post-match press conference, Hara was forced to smile bitterly as he commented on the nine runs conceded. The game had been tightly contested until the 6th inning, but the Tigers’ Seiya Kinami, batting eighth, hit their first home run of the season in the 7th inning, causing a shift in momentum. The 10 walks given by the Giants’ pitching staff only widened the wound.
One particular moment that influenced the outcome of the game was the defense in the 5th inning, where the Giants held a 3-2 lead. Starting pitcher Gai Yokokawa found himself in a tight spot with no outs and runners on first and second bases. Manager Hara then made the decision to bring in rookie pitcher Taiga Funabasama, who showcased his skills by striking out outfielder Sheldon Noisy and infielder Teruaki Sato with his impressive fastball and slider.
However, the escape from this pinch was short-lived. Catcher Seishiro Sakamoto, who has a batting average of .224 this season, allowed Kinami to hit a slider to center front, resulting in a reversal of the game. Director Hara expressed the need for introspection, stating, “I believe we need to show more aggressiveness and learn from this experience.”
A Moment of Good Fortune
Despite the setback, there was still only a one-point difference in the game, making it uncertain how the events would unfold. However, in the 7th inning, the Tigers’ Yusuke Oyama hit a line drive down the left field line against Giants’ fourth pitcher Kohei Suzuki, pushing the score to -2 and loading the bases with no outs. Kinami then stepped up and hit a high slider to the right field, securing another run. Yasushi Suzuki, who replaced Kohei Suzuki, later walked outfielder Koji Chikamoto. Coach Hara encouraged Yasushi Suzuki, recognizing his potential, stating, “I’m not criticizing him. Yasushi is highly regarded within the Tokai Group. He has something really exceptional. He just needs to showcase it!” In fact, Director Hara himself serves as a visiting professor at Yasushi Suzuki’s alma mater, International Budo University, and provides a special lecture during the off-season.
However, Yasushi Suzuki is not the only one with potential. Manager Hara expressed his disappointment in the pitching staff as a whole, highlighting the lack of determination to finish strong. He believes that the team should focus on driving in runs with two strikes and getting two outs effectively, as compared to the Hanshin Tigers, who currently hold a lead. According to Hara, there should not be a significant difference in ability and game results between the two teams.
(By Hirohisa Miyawaki)
I don’t know how to put it into words.”
Hanshin 9-6 Giants (26th, Tokyo Dome)
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The Giants lost the game against Hanshin Tigers (Tokyo Dome) on the 26th with a score of 6-9. This season’s record against his nemesis was 4 wins, 14 losses and 1 draw (6 games remaining). Manager Tatsunori Hara can’t stop thinking about the 10 walks issued by the pitching staff. Rather than being hit hard, he complained about the current situation where he was unable to finish the game.
“How much? Nine? Fair? In the post-match press conference, Hara had no choice but to smile bitterly. Until the 6th inning, he played a see-saw game back and forth, but in the 7th inning, Hanshin No. 8 batter Seiya Kinami, an outfielder, hit the first home run of the season, and was immediately pushed off. It can be said that the 10 walks given by the 6 pitchers who pitched widened the wound.
One of the points that separated the win and the loss was the defense of the 5th inning with a 1 point lead of 3-2. Starting pitcher Gai Yokokawa was in a pinch with no outs at first and second base, manager Hara switched to pitcher Funabasama Taiga, a rookie who is in fifth place in the draft. Funasako responded to the appointment, and with a fastball that measured the fastest 150 km and a slider at which he was good, he struck out the great outfielder Sheldon Noisy and the infielder Teruaki Sato in succession.
One more death to pinch escape. But one more breath was not enough. At this point, catcher Seishiro Sakamoto had a .224 batting average this season. The following No. 8 Kinami carried the slider to center front and allowed the reversal. Director Hara said, “I think there are aggressive walks. Let’s do that,” he asked for fierce reflection.
“I have a really good thing, so I have to put it out here!”
However, at the moment, there is still a difference of 1 point. It was unpredictable where the flow of the game would end. However, in the 7th inning, Kohei Suzuki, the 4th pitcher, was hit by Yusuke Oyama, the lead infielder, down the left field line, Pushing to -2, he walked with a walk and was driven in to no-out bases loaded. After one death, Kinami was carried to the right wing seat where the slider floated high in the middle, and all was well.
After that, Yasushi Suzuki walked outfielder Koji Chikamoto, who left the field in the middle of the inning. Coach Hara Yasushi patted Suzuki on the back while talking about something when he was replaced. “Not that I’m criticizing him. (Suzuki Yasushi) is well known in the Tokai Group. He’s got something really good. He’s like, ‘I’ve got to put it out here!'” he joked. Reveal in turn. At Yasushi Suzuki’s alma mater, International Budo University, Director Hara himself serves as a visiting professor, and is said to give a special lecture every year during the off-season.
Yasushi Suzuki is not the only one who “has something good.” Manager Hara lamented the pitching staff as a whole, saying, “There’s a lack of finality. I think it’s a good way to drive in two strikes, or to get two outs, and stick with it.” Compared to Hanshin, who is running ahead, there shouldn’t be that much of a difference in ability and game results.
(Hirohisa Miyawaki)
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