Well, now – that wasn’t much of a game. Even though the Swallows didn’t break it open until the middle innings this one never really felt in doubt as Tokyo beat Lotte 7-1 on Sunday. Lotte’s starter Ohmine was really pushed around in this one, giving up 7 earned in 5+ innings of work.
Tokyo loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the first and “only” scored two in the inning. By contrast, Tokyo starter Kawashima really shut down the Lotte attack. After yielding two hits in the bottom of the 1st (but no runs) he went 3 up, 3 down in 4 of the next 5 innings. In fact, it wasn’t until the bottom of the 8th inning that Lotte made it to the top of the order for the 4th time.
Lotte did score a run in the 4th on an RBI single from Ohmatsu (scoring Saburo) – but that’s the only threat Lotte could mount in this one.
Tokyo well and truly busted the game open in the 5th and 6th innings thanks to a 2-run triple from the awakening Aoki, who also scored on a sac fly. In the 6th Aoki stroked a 2-run double to make it 7-1. I was a bit surprised he showed such strong offense as I thought he looked more than a little lost up there prior to his triple. I suppose a strong talent as Aoki doesn’t stay down for too long (I hope Imae reads that!)
Kawasaki came in to relieve Ohmine and soon after plunked Aaron Guiel on the head, prompting a few angry gestures from the Tokyo right fielder.
My buddy Furuya came in to mop up and pitched 3 gutsy innings, allowing a bunch of baserunners (including bases loaded in the 8th) but no runs. He couldn’t help the offense get in gear though.
I was hoping, of course, for another Marines victory today but it wasn’t to be. At least now I can get back to liking the Swallows (until Lotte visits Jingu in a few weeks, of course). Up next is the much-anticipated 2 game set with Yomiuri at Chiba Marine on Tuesday and Wednesday. I think stopping the Giants is pretty much an agenda all can agree on!
Here’s some other pictures from today’s action.
A very nice stress-free game under sunny Chiba skies. A lot of fun for us in the leftfield stands, probably not so much for you guys (but you had your fun on Saturday!)
Looking at your picture of the Swallows fans (great pics btw), we were sitting right in front of the guy with the “No Swallows, no Life” sign (rather dodgy slogan that one if you ask me…..), but we’d gone down to sample some of the “fine” food down below during the stretch. Also, the guy with the rather worrying Aaron Guiel heart shaped Canadian flag is a friend of mine. He seems to have developed quite the crush on our blonde Canadian slugger.
Oh, and we signed the Bobby 2010 petition outside, as did a lot of other Swallows fans so we were told. We’re a nice bunch eh?
So it’s off to the green carpet at Seibu Dome for us. Good luck against the Giants!
Oh, we had fun regardless! Watching your team getting beaten badly on a nice day is still better than most things. Besides, we had beer and Bobby Burgers to keep us happy (and thanks to Deanna for reminding me of those, I sit in the gaiya too much to remember what’s good in the rest of the stadium).
I’ll have to check my other photos to see if you popped up in them. Most of the pics of the Swallows gaiya were from the lucky 7, though. It’s too bad we missed you at the game; maybe in Jingu in a few weeks?
I’m amazed at the huge recent increase in number of petition signers. They are up to almost 70k, and they were at ~50k 2 weeks ago. I imagine alot of the recent signees are the visiting fans from other teams. Really, outside the front office – who doesn’t like Bobby?
Good luck against Seibu! We are of course rooting for you to win in embarassing fashion.
Hey, those are great pictures — field seats?
I have so many of Satozaki throwing his bat away that I’ve actually created a “Batozaki” tag for them. I was thinking of “Ironically Batless Tomoya Satozaki” but it didn’t quite have the same ring to it.
Deanna, they’re the same row 7 infield reserved as last week. I’m just using a very long lens recently.
I love the “Batozaki” tag! I don’t even have that many action photos yet I have several of him with bats flying. I always love it when he flips the bat on a weak pop to shallow center. The one in the photo was a no-doubt-it’s-foul-off-the-bat knock, though I guess it would look really stupid to flip your bat a few seconds after hitting it to make sure it’s fair.
I’m sure if I were a pro player I’d be flipping my bat, dancing, jumping, whatever. Stylish cockiness comes with the territory, methinks.