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2039 Japan Series
Arrows vs Carp in a rematch of the series that started this current dynastic run. Will Hiroshima have its vengeance? Since it's an odd year, the Carp will have home field advantage.
Game 1: Shizuoka 2, Hiroshima 1 (16 innings)
You just can't put this Arrows team away. It was a sacrifice fly from backup catcher Kiyonori Nakashima that finally put left fielder Sukesaburo Ishii over the plate to break a 10-inning deadlock. Both starters, Katsushi Sato for Shizuoka, and Mike McKamie for Hiroshima, were effective through six-plus innings, and the bullpens held down the fort from there. Arrows swingman Keitaro Onishi got the win.
Game 2: Hiroshima 8, Shizuoka 3
You also can't count out the Carp, as they put up seven runs across the 7th and 8th to pound a depleted Arrows bullpen. Shizuoka starter Tomohito Narita put up 6 innings of one-run ball, but reliever Masaji Hayashi gave up three earned on four hits and two walks in the 7th, with yesterday's hero Onishi yielding four runs while only getting a single out. Carp starter Hikaru Honda earned player of the game honours for his 6 innings of work. Hiroshima had 11 hits in the game, 3 from third baseman Kodai Matsuoka.
Game 3: Shizuoka 4, Hiroshima 0
Kim Chae-bong was in fine form in this game, going 7 innings while only allowing four baserunners and striking out 8. Kimura finished the game in a non-save situation. All the Shizuoka runs were off of home runs, courtesy of Kashima, Alejandrez, and first baseman Tomosaburo Morioka.
Game 4: Shizuoka 6, Hiroshima 1
Ex-Arrow Sachiko Hoshino's a fantastic groundball pitcher, but if the batted balls find gaps, he gets in trouble. That happened here, as the Arrows netted 10 hits off him over 5 1/3 innings, earning six runs. Arrows starter Matsumoto was his usual self, striking out 13 over 6 2/3 innings to earn player of the game honours. The win was not without cost, though, as Keiichi Sugiyama will have to miss the next three days with an intercostal strain.
Game 5: Shizuoka 2, Hiroshima 0
And that will put a capper on it. Arrows leftie Hiromitsu Nishi pitched seven scoreless innings, scattering four hits, no walks, and getting eight strikeouts; reliever Rintaro Takashima earned the save with two scoreless innings of his own. The two runs scored were off a Sana RBI single and Kato solo home run.
Arrows right fielder Luis Alejandrez wins Japan Series MVP for his .400/.455/.600 slash line over the five-game series.
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