Today is Thursday, July 2, 2009, and we are in Tachikawa, the city we got lost trying to drive to as mentioned in a previous entry, to play the Lions. Since our last entry we have played four games, winning two and losing two. We split the last two games of the series against the Fighters; losing 5-4 then winning 3-2. The 3-2 victory was a rain-shortened game that Bobby anticipated by calling for a suicide squeeze in the bottom of the 6th that turned out to be the winning run. With the game tied at 2 and the rain getting steadier, Benny Agbyani led off with a double that he really had to dig for to make. His headfirst slide into second, which we will laugh about for years to come, was a sight to be seen.
A far cry from what Ricky Henderson used to do so beautifully. Tough to describe but just imagine big Benny (all muscle for those of you who don’t know him well) in a full sprint, nearing second and just kind of flopping face first into the mud of second base. Pretty funny, but, more importantly, safe. Gary Burnham, CT’s own, followed Benny and did a nice job of moving him over with a ground out to second base. With one out and one strike on the next hitter, Imae, Bobby called for the squeeze which Imae, affectionately nicknamed “Gori” since he looks like a Gorilla (so they say – I don’t’ really think so. He also has one of the most infectious smiles I have ever seen) executed the bunt perfectly and Benny slid through the mud with what turned out to be the winning run since the game was called after the top of the 7.
The first game against the Lions was as wild as they get. Back and forth and into extra innings that we finally won on a 3 run HR in the 11 inning by our All Star CF, Saburo. Bobby pulled out all the stops in this one to rally the troops and Saburo came through big time.
Last night was another crazy one. Down 5-1 going into the 5, we scored 1 in the 5 (solo HR by “Gori”) and 4 in the 6 highlighted by “Gori’s” 3 run HR to take a 6-5 lead. What a night for him! Unfortunately it didn’t hold up as the Lions scored 2 in the 6, 7 and 8 to take it away from us 11-6
Well, I thought the first 2 games of this series were wild ones, tonight was even crazier. What a game! First of all the game broke an all time Pacific League (equivalent of the American League back home) record for time. 12 innings that took 5 hours and 42 minutes. Fortunately the good guys won!
The games in Japan begin at 6:00 p.m. Most fans use public transportation to and from games. A majority of the fans like to stay until the end of the game. Most of the major cities have train stations that connect the fans to their homes and the trains from the major hubs stop running at 12 p.m. So, we start the games early and play a maximum of 12 innings. If the game is not decided after 12 innings it is a tie.
Many fans left this game early to catch the last train out but to my amazement their were more Lotte fans in the stadium at the end of the game than Lions fans. Once again my hat is off to the players who gave a great fight, winning the series, and the our wonderful fans who are always with us to the end.
27 hits, 5 home runs, 5 lead changes, 13 pitchers used and with the bases loaded, 2 outs, their best hitter up (Nakajima) and our young, just-called-up-from-the-minors pitcher on the mound, Uchi, the Marines pulled out the victory 9-8.
After the game we travelled back to Chiba and didn’t arrive until 2 a.m.
During a difficult year full of distractions surrounding Bobby’s final season, this series could only pull us closer as a team. The series was a true battle and our guys fought tooth and nail, never gave up and took 2 of 3. Could be the beginning of some good things. Let’s hope so!
Below are some photos of the Seibu Dome, Bobby, Paul and Iguchi before the second game of the series. Iguchi is having a good year hitting .320 with 11 homers and 40 RBI’s while playing a solid 2B and providing valuable leadership.
The Seibu dome is very unique. Originally an outdoor stadium that after many years they added a roof but left the sides open so it’s kind of strange. When it’s hot and humid the heat and humidity gets trapped inside making it very hot and often difficult to see.
Enjoy!
