Much doom and gloom had been cast over the Hanshin Tigers in the past week. Despite starting the season 2-0, they only pushed three runs across in those wins, and then just 8 more in their next four games, all losses.
Not only that, but the back end of the rotation got mauled badly by the Giants at the start of the week, and the team was to head into Hiroshima to face the three-time defending champs. They never do well at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium. But tonight was different.
Top 1 – Yusuke’s First RBI Hit!
Takashi Toritani got the start at short and batted leadoff. He hit one up the middle, advanced on a Koji Chikamoto sacrifice bunt, then scored on a Yusuke Ohyama single up the middle. Tigers lead for the first time since last Saturday!
Bottom 3 – Pitcher Starts Rally
Randy Messenger was perfect through the first eight guys, but then allowed a double to Carp starter Daichi Ohsera, and he eventually came around and scored on a Kikuchi double. The damage could have been much worse, but Randy hung on and kept it to one run. Tie game.
Bottom 4 – The Shot Heard ‘Round Hiroshima
Seiya Suzuki crushed a low fastball halfway to Costco. Home team takes the lead.
Top 7 – Pinch Hitter Saves the Day
Messenger’s night ended after six innings of scrappy pitching, and in his stead, Masahiro Nakatani stepped to the plate with a runner on first. After a hard-fought 7 pitches, he cranked the 8th pitch off the left field foul pole.
Bottom 9 – Closer Shuts the Door
Rafael Dolis mowed down the side nice and easy, and the good guys won! Messenger picks up his 100th career win (4 MLB + 96 NPB) on his tenth try – his 99th career win came on August 10, 2018.