What He Used to Be

Fumiya Nishiguchi warming up in the pen
Fumiya Nishiguchi's six scoreless innings and Hisashi Takayama's two home runs gave Lions a win against Buffaloes 6 - 1 last night.

The first start since July 1st, Nishiguchi (2-2) gave up just three base runners. His slider was so sharp that he fanned seven. In the second inning he struck out three Buffaloes he faced. The best thing about him last night was that his rythm. His tempo was really fast that the speed of the game was comfortable for everyone. It looked like his ace type form was returned to him.

Before the game, I didn't expect much from him. I liked his career. I wished he would pitch a good game; but, I just thought it wouldn't happen. He was the ace of the Lions from the mid 90's to mid 2000's; however, his struggles for last few years made funs and the organization to lose confidence in him. He is 37 years old now. I hoped I was wrong; yet, it seemd like he would be near to the end of his brilliant career. But the last night, he pitched like what he used to be. That's great feeling.

WOW!! Did You See That!?

Hula & Kazuyuki Hoashi (the pitcher in the bullpen)
I've never seen such a big foul ball, which was hit by Buffaloes' Alex Cabrera off Kazuyuki Hoashi in the 2nd inning. When he hit one, entire ballpark became silent. He hit it out of the Seibu Dome. Because it went to so far away and so hi, many people don't realize what was going on. Cabrera believed it was homerun, Lions players thought it was foul ball. The funny thing was the umps weren't sure what it was. After they watched the video, they decided that it was foul ball. To decide whether homerun or not, they took almost 10 minutes (at least that's what I felt).

This delay cost Hoashi's rythm of the pitching. Even though he gave up only 2 runs(one earned) and fanned six, he threw 115 pitches and lasted only for 6 innings.

As always, fans in the dome went to crasy when Kimiyasu Kudoh went to the pitching mound from the bullpen. Even though he gave up two base runners, he finished the night with the three strike outs. By the way the Lions defeated the Buffaloes 8 -3.

Tomotaka Sakaguchi, Buffaloes' center fielder, is worth to watch. His hitting, running, and defense are just amazing (I'm not sure about his throwing arm 'cause I've never had a chance to see it). Especially his speed for baserunning and defense is the first class. I could see that last night. His hustle, I mean his mental side of the game is as great as his physical ability.

Fumiya Nishiguchi will start for Saitama tonight agianst Buffaloes' Shogo Yamamoto.