Is there a chance for the Giants, who have lost three games in a row, to come back? Toshihiro Noguchi explains
■ DeNA 2-1 Giants (18th, Tokyo Dome)
On the 18th, the Premier League champions Giants lost 1-2 in the third game of the final stage of the Climax Series (CS) against DeNA at their home venue, Tokyo Dome, losing for the third time in series. With 1 win and 3 losses including the win, they were pushed to elimination if they lost just one more time. Baseball reporter Toshihiro Noguchi, who spent 21 years as a catcher for four teams including Yakult and Yokohama (currently DeNA) during his playing days, explored the possibility of a comeback.
Only 2 points in 3 games. There is no doubt that the poor performance of the batting line-up was the reason for the three consecutive defeats. But, Noguchi said, “There are some players who are starting to catch fire. ” celebration.
The Giants are without infielder Naoki Yoshikawa, who primarily played third base and second base, due to an injury during the regular season, and the big question is how to replace him. distribution On this day, Maru, who had been playing No. 1 until now, was placed at No. 3, while outfielder Hisayoshi Nagano, making his first CS start this season, was slotted No. 1. Maru was disappointing with 2 hits in 4 at bats.
In the second inning, Kazu Okamoto took the lead single. In the third inning, consecutive hits from outfielder Rui Okoye and Maru created opportunities for one out and second and third. Kazu Okamoto loaded the bases with an intentional walk, and catcher Takuzo Oshiro hit a hard ground ball that was likely to be a hit, but was blocked by a diving catch from second. founder and infielder Hidego Maki, who followed with a double. play and no extra points could be scored.
In the 8th inning, trailing by one run, the Giants had a good chance to put one out and second base on Nagano’s hit to left field, but Kazu Okamoto was walked again for a walk deliberate and he was unable to score. Noguchi said, “We’re getting ready to let Kazu Okamoto do his job. The only thing that remains to be seen is whether it will bear fruit. , to be in the first stage against Hanshin the main points to return.
“You have to have an idea to get one point and defend that point.
Despite the Giants winning a long regular season, Noguchi said, “I’m completely out of it. I don’t need clean football anymore. In that sense, there was one pic- there was a play that caught my attention.
“Nakayama (infielder Reito), who is protecting second base in place of Yoshikawa, was pitching with two outs and no runners in the second inning, when Tobashira (catcher Yasutaka) hit hit to right field that hit between first and second. He didn’t dive.
“Just because you dive, doesn’t mean you caught it, and doesn’t necessarily mean you were able to get out, even if you didn’t catch it you would jump, everyone would be satisfied. I think it’s important to show that kind of attitude towards your teammates.”
On the other hand, on this day, DeNA outfielder Masashi Kuwahara was so frustrated that he hit the bench right after he failed to make it to second in the 6th inning. “There is a risk of injury, and such an attitude is not recommended. However, I think that in such an important game, I naturally felt very frustrated, I think it can be said that DeNA is the one who honestly shows his desire to win.”
In the past, the Giants lost four consecutive games against Hanshin in the final stage of the CS in 2014, when they won the regular season as they did this season, and they were unable to advance to the Japan Series. On the other hand, in 2012, the last time he became number one in Japan, he suffered three consecutive losses from the first round of the final stage to Chunichi and was forced into a corner, but he won three in a row and did it. through Manager Shinnosuke Abe knew both as a “number four catcher.” Will “tomorrow” really come for this year’s Giants?
(Hirohisa Miyawaki)
2024-10-19 02:03:00
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