March 9: Let’s just say that Randy Messenger didn’t get off on the right foot. The first inning saw him give up 5 hits and 4 runs. He said after the game that it was his first time facing live hitting this year, and that a lot of his pitches were right over the plate instead of finding corners. It’s all good, right? He threw two clean innings (1 H, 0 BB) after that, so hopefully he found a good rhythm and will continue to build on things in his next two scheduled preseason starts.
The next pitcher on the mound was this past year’s fifth round draft pick, Masaki Tanigawa. He gave up two hits and a sacrifice fly to extend the Dragons’ lead to five, but was otherwise highly effective in his three innings of work.
Finishing off the game for the Tigers was Ryoma Matsuda, who allowed just one hit in his three innings of work. And just like that, the game was over.
But WAIT! You need to stick around until the last out! Because for the second straight game, that’s how long it took for Hanshin to get on the scoreboard! Four straight singles, including an RBI single by Yusuke Ohyama, were followed by a bases loaded walk by Naomasa Yohkawa. Too little, too late.
Final Score: Chunichi 5, Hanshin 2
March 10: Senichi Hoshino Memorial Match
Starter Takumi Akiyama allowed just one hit through five innings, striking out seven and walking none. And for a change, our bats didn’t wait until the ninth to do something!
In the bottom of the first, Takashi Toritani walked, advanced to second on a bunt and got driven in by Wilin Rosario. Tigers with a rare preseason lead early on. T 1-0 D
Three innings later, Kento Itohara single and a walk put two men on base for Shun Takayama, who laced a double to right field to bring in another run. T 2-0 D
After Akiyama, the Tigers started sending in relievers. The third of those, Akifumi Takahashi, gave up a one-out solo home run in the top of the 7th. T 2-1 D
The Tigers got a great chance in the bottom of the inning, but couldn’t capitalize.
In the top of the ninth, the Dragons got a couple of hits off Marcos Mateo and also benefited from a wild pitch to tie the game up. T 2-2 D
And that’s how it ended. Perhaps Hoshino-san would have had it this way, as neither of his teams (he also managed the Rakuten Eagles) had to face defeat. The Tigers, though, are still looking for their first win of the preseason.