A Reshuffling of the Starting Lineup Results in Kadowaki, a Solid Defender, Being Relegated to the Bench
In a game held at the Tokyo Dome on the 10th, the Hanshin Tigers defeated the Giants with a score of 5-2. The Giants experienced their third consecutive loss against Hanshin, with only one more hit lost. The outcome of the game highlighted the eternal theme of baseball – how to execute a successful shot in a specific situation.
Manager Tatsunori Hara made significant changes to the batting lineup in the third game. Rookie infielder Makoto Kadowaki, who had proven himself as a reliable defender for 24 consecutive games, found himself on the bench. Kazuma Okamoto, who was primarily seen as a first baseman, started at third base for the first time in 12 games. Infielder Sho Nakata, who had achieved a remarkable performance as a pinch hitter the previous day, was named in the starting lineup for the first time in 12 games, playing in the sixth position and taking on the role of first baseman. Additionally, outfielder Hayato Sakamoto, who was absent from the starting lineup the day before, returned to the field wearing jersey number two.
Coach Hara explained his decision by stating, “Sho Nakata had a fantastic hit yesterday, so I wanted him to focus on his attacking skills and play in the middle position.”
However, the game did not play out as planned. In the third inning, outfielder Hisayoshi Nagano led off with a double down the left field line. Despite being in a promising situation with only one out and runners between first and third base, the Giants failed to convert the opportunity into runs, with Naoki Yoshikawa hitting into a double play. In the seventh inning, outfielder Koji Chikamoto managed to hit a two-run shot.
Ultimately, the Giants had 9 hits, two more than the Hanshin Tigers, but fell short with a final score of 2-5. Coach Hara reflected on the game, saying, “It was a close game, but it all came down to the ability to convert opportunities. The other team succeeded in capitalizing on their chances.”
Nagano, a 38-Year-Old Veteran, Secures His First Award Since Returning from Hiroshima
In the eighth inning, the Giants had a chance to tie the game after Sakamoto’s single scored a run and they were left with one out and runners on first and third base. However, Sho Nakata, who was expected to deliver, was faced with a 2-2 count and ended up hitting a curveball from Hanshin’s right-handed pitcher, Kajiya, into the air. Subsequently, when Hanshin switched to left-handed pitcher Hiroya Shimamoto, Manager Hara took the risk of sending right-handed pinch hitter Yukinori Kishida to bat against 20-year-old shutout pitcher Yuto Akihiro, who was making his debut. Unfortunately, Kishida grounded out into a double play.
Outfielder Takayuki Kajitani, who was initially designated as the “third center field” starter, was unable to produce any hits in his three at-bats. In the eighth inning, he was replaced by Lewis Brinson, while Yoshikawa, who had failed to make any impact with no hits, two strikeouts, and a double play in his four at-bats, was taken off the field. The Giants desperately tried to mount a comeback but were unsuccessful.
Coach Hara pondered on what could have been done differently in this particular situation, saying, “That’s the challenge of baseball.”
On the other hand, Sakamoto had a successful game with two hits and one RBI in his five at-bats. Despite showing concern about an injury to the back of his right hip two days ago and being substituted in the middle of the game, he managed to play the full match. Meanwhile, 38-year-old Nagano started as a right fielder and achieved a remarkable performance with three hits in four at-bats, earning him the first hard-hitting award this season since his return from Hiroshima after a five-year absence.
Led by the experienced veteran Sakamoto, who has been an anchoring force on the team, the Giants are determined to challenge the status quo once again.
By Hirohisa Miyawaki
Kadowaki, a good defender, is relegated to the bench and the starting lineup has been greatly reshuffled.
Hanshin 5-2 Giants (10th, Tokyo Dome)
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Perhaps it is an eternal theme of baseball how to hit a shot in a certain scene. From the 8th to the 10th, the Giants suffered 3 straight in the 3 consecutive Hanshin games held at their home base, Tokyo Dome, but the development continued with only one more hit lost.
In the third game on the 10th, manager Tatsunori Hara changed the batting significantly. Infielder Makoto Kadowaki, a rookie who has been a solid defender for 24 consecutive games, started on the bench, and infielder Kazuma Okamoto, who had been more likely to defend first base, started at third. base for the first time in 12 games. Infielder Sho Nakata, who hit 13th and 2 runs as a pinch hitter the day before (9th), was named in the starting lineup for the first time in 12 games with “6th and 1st base”. Outfielder Hayato Sakamoto, who had been out of the starting lineup the day before, also returned with “No.
Coach Hara explained, “He (Sho Nakata) hit a really good one yesterday, so he was able to focus on attacking.” the “middle attack”.
However, this day did not go as planned. In the 3rd inning, outfielder Hisayoshi Nagano led off with a double down the left field line, but with only one out between first and third bases with no outfielders and Naoki Yoshikawa’s two-run double play, the game changed. not even grasping it. In the 7th inning, outfielder Koji Chikamoto came back with a 2-run shot. .
In the end, the Giants had 9 hits, 2 more than the Hanshin Tigers, but the score was 2-5. Coach Hara said, “It’s a close game, but it’s a question of whether you get one or not. The other team has one in a good spot.
Nagano, aged 38, wins first prize after returning from Hiroshima
Indeed, in the 8th inning, after Sakamoto’s single score one point behind, he still created a tying machine with 1 death and 1st and 3rd base, but the expected Sho Nakata made a count of 2-2, second Hanshin’s right hand, Kajiya’s pitcher’s curve hits out in the air. When Hanshin switched to left-handed pitcher Hiroya Shimamoto, Director Hara dared to send catcher Yukinori Kishida, a right-handed pinch hitter, to Yuto Akihiro, a 20-year-old shutout who was for sale, but he fell to three grounders. .
Outfielder Takayuki Kajitani, designated as the “3rd center field” starter, gave up three at-bats, and after six innings, outfielder Lewis Brinson replaced Yoshikawa, who had no hits, two strikeouts and one double play in four at bats in the eighth inning I dropped him from defense to the bench and tried to resist desperately, but it didn’t work.
What should I do to put “another” out in this scene? Coach Hara said, “That’s the difficulty of baseball.
On the other hand, Sakamoto has 2 hits and 1 RBI in 5 at bats. Two days ago, he showed a gesture of concern about the back of his right hip and was replaced in the middle, but I struggled with full participation. Nagano, 38, also started with “8th, right wing” and used a bat with 3 hits in 4 at bats, getting the first hard hitting award this season when he returned from Hiroshima for the first time in 5 years.
Led by an experienced veteran who has worked as an “S-class”, they will once again challenge the status quo.
(Hirohisa Miyawaki)
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