Results in September, 1997


Current Standing


Results on September 2

Results on September 3

Results on September 4

Results on September 5

Results on September 6

Results on September 7

Results on September 9

Results on September 10

Results on September 11

Results on September 13

Results on September 14

Results on September 15

Results on September 16

Results on September 17

Results on September 18

Results on September 19

Results on September 20

Results on September 21

Results on September 23

Results on September 24

Results on September 25

Results on September 26

Results on September 27

Results on September 28

Results on September 29

Results on September 30


Standing at the end of September

Central League
              G  W  L  T  PCT   GB streak last10  GL 
x Swallows  130 79 49  2 .617          L1   6-4    7 
  BayStars  126 69 57  0 .548  9.0     W2   5-5    9 
  Carp      126 64 62  0 .508 14.0     L2   5-5    9 
  Giants    131 60 71  0 .458 20.5     L1   6-4    4 
  Tigers    130 57 72  1 .442 22.5     W1   3-7    6 
  Dragons   131 56 74  1 .431 24.0     W1   5-5    5 

  Team vs. Team     Win - Loss (Tie)
           Swallows  BayStars  Carp      Giants    Tigers    Dragons   
Swallows    ----    13-14( 0) 12-11( 0) 18- 8( 0) 20- 6( 1) 16-10( 1) 
BayStars  14-13( 0)   ----    15-10( 0) 13-14( 0)  9-14( 0) 18- 6( 0) 
Carp      11-12( 0) 10-15( 0)   ----    13-12( 0) 12-14( 0) 18- 9( 0) 
Giants     8-18( 0) 14-13( 0) 12-13( 0)   ----    14-13( 0) 12-14( 0) 
Tigers     6-20( 1) 14- 9( 0) 14-12( 0) 13-14( 0)   ----    10-17( 0) 
Dragons   10-16( 1)  6-18( 0)  9-18( 0) 14-12( 0) 17-10( 0)   ----    

Pacific League
            G  W  L  T  PCT   GB streak last10  GL 
Lions     129 73 53  3 .579          L1   5-5    6 
BlueWave  125 65 57  3 .533  6.0     W1   4-6   10 
Buffaloes 130 65 61  4 .516  8.0     W2   8-2    5 
Hawks     127 59 67  1 .468 14.0     L2   4-6    8 
Fighters  133 61 71  1 .462 15.0     L2   6-4    2 
Marines   126 55 69  2 .444 17.0     W2   5-5    9 

  Team vs. Team     Win - Loss (Tie)
           Lions     BlueWave  Buffaloes Hawks     Fighters  Marines   
Lions       ----    10-14( 1) 14-12( 1) 15- 8( 0) 16-11( 0) 18- 8( 1) 
BlueWave  14-10( 1)   ----    12-11( 1) 12-13( 0) 15-11( 1) 12-12( 0) 
Buffaloes 12-14( 1) 11-12( 1)   ----    14-12( 1) 14-13( 0) 14-10( 1) 
Hawks      8-15( 0) 13-12( 0) 12-14( 1)   ----    11-16( 0) 15-10( 0) 
Fighters  11-16( 0) 11-15( 1) 13-14( 0) 16-11( 0)   ----    10-15( 0) 
Marines    8-18( 1) 12-12( 0) 10-14( 1) 10-15( 0) 15-10( 0)   ----    

[Results on September 2]

At Tokyo Dome

Tigers     | 0 1 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 1
-----------+-----------------------+--
Giants     | 0 1 1   0 0 0   0 0 X | 2

	WP: Galvez	(9W 11L)
	LP: Yabu	(8W 12L)
	HR: G Nishi 9, Shimizu 10

[Both starters pitched a complete game.  Yabu lost with
 two homeruns]


At Yokohama

Swallows   | 0 0 0   0 0 0   3 0 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
BayStars   | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0

	WP: Ishii,K.	(7W 4L)
	LP: Tokano	(9W 4L)
	HR: S Kobayakawa 11

***** ISHII Kazuhisa pitched a no-hitter *****

[It was a nice game.  Both starters were good, but
 the Bay Star batters couldn't get any hit against
 Ishii.  In top of 7th, Ikeyama doubled to near the
 right foul line to drive one run in.  Kobayakawa
 homered to right stand to decide the game.
 The Bay Stars had chance in early innings, but
 they couldn't score, which led Ishii to no-hitter]


At Hiroshima

Dragons    | 0 1 0   0 0 0   0 2 1 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
Carp       | 0 1 0   0 0 1   0 0 0 | 2

	WP: Yamamoto	(16W 5L)
	Sv: Sun	(1W 1L 33S)
	LP: Yamauchi	(7W 8L)
	HR: D Gomez 23
	    C Etoh 21, Lopez 22

[Gomez got a game-winning 2-run shot in 8th.  Yamamoto
 and Sun didn't allow the Carp to come back.  Now the Carp
 stand 9 games behind of the top, so it is almost impossible
 for them to win the pennant]


At Osaka Dome

Marines    | 0 0 0   0 0 4   0 0 1 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
Buffaloes  | 0 0 0   0 0 3   1 0 0 | 4

	WP: Yoshida	(5W 2L 2S)
	Sv: Kawamoto	(5W 4L 20S)
	LP: Ohtsuka	(3W 5L 6S)
	HR: M Thompson 13

[The Marines won with a wild pitch of Ohtsuka
 in top of 9th.  The Buffaloes finally stopped
 thier winning streak]


At Kobe

Fighters   | 0 0 0   1 0 3   2 0 0 | 6
-----------+-----------------------+--
BlueWave   | 0 0 0   0 2 0   0 1 1 | 4

	WP: Shimoyanagi	(9W 3L)
	Sv: Shimazaki	(6W 5L 11S)
	LP: Itoh	(9W 4L)
	HR: BW Donnels 14, Taguchi 9

[The Blue Wave lost three games in a row.  They once
 went ahead with a 2-run homerun of Donnels in 5th,
 but there is no reliable reliever in current Blue Wave]


At Seibu

Hawks      | 0 3 0   0 0 1   0 0 0 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
Lions      | 0 0 3   0 0 0   0 1 1 | 5

	WP: Denny	(3W)
	LP: Sakumoto	(3W 5L 2S)
	Hd: H Wakatabe
	HR: H Kokubo 31, Johjima 14, Yoshinaga 29

[The Hawks went ahead with homers, but Takagi
 Taisei of the Lions led the team to win: He
 went 3 for 3, and got 4 RBIs.  He got a RBI
 hit to tie the game in 8th and a game-ending
 hit in 9th]


[Results on September 3]

At Tokyo Dome

Tigers     | 2 0 3   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
Giants     | 1 0 2   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 3

	WP: Takeuchi	(6W 6L)
	LP: Kuwata	(8W 6L)
	HR: G Shimizu 11

[The Tigers bombed Kuwata in early innings.  Hitatsuka
 and Hiyama got 2 hits for each, and Hiratsuka drove
 3 runs in, Hiyama 2 runs in.  Takeuchi, who relieved
 Funaki in bottom of 3rd, threw so well that he allowed
 only one hit]


At Yokohama

Swallows   | 0 0 0   0 0 1   0 1 1 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
BayStars   | 0 1 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 1

	WP: Takatsu	(4W 4L 7S)
	Sv: Itoh,T.	(6W 1L 17S)
	LP: Shimada	(5W 5L 1S)

[The Swallows went ahead in late innings before
 Sasaki would appear.  Finally no other team than
 the Swallows can't win the pennant by theieselves:
 That is to say, for any team except the Swallows,
 even if they would have won all games remaining
 agasint the Swallows, still they have to expect
 that the Swallows would lose one or more games.
 Japanese press say such situation that the Magic
 number for the Swallows has appeared.  It is 21]


At Hiroshima

Dragons    | 4 1 0   0 1 0   0 0 0 | 6
-----------+-----------------------+--
Carp       | 4 0 1   1 1 0   5 0 X |12

	WP: Takahashi,K.	(3W 1L)
	LP: Udoh	(3L)
	HR: D Inoue 1, Yano 3
	    C Lopez 23

[The Carp hitters blew out the Dragons.  Lopez went
 4 for 5, drove 5 runs in.  He now leads the league
 with RBI.  Dragon starter Kadokura was too bad]


At Osaka Dome

Marines    | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 3 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
Buffaloes  | 0 0 0   0 3 0   0 0 1 | 4

	WP: Akahori	(9W 6L 17S)
	LP: Takekiyo	(2W 8L)
	HR: M Fukuura 4

[The Buffaloes won with a game-ending hit of Nakamura.
 Okamoto of the Buffaloes and Kosaka of the Marines
 are now in hot race for the rookie of the year, but
 Both of them couldn't much point in this game:
 Okamoto started for the Buffaloes but he was caught
 in 8th and he was removed.  Kosaka didn't get any stolen
 base in this game]


At Kobe

Fighters   | 3 1 0   0 0 1   0 2 0 | 7
-----------+-----------------------+--
BlueWave   | 0 0 4   0 0 2   5 2 X |13

	WP: Kobayashi	(6W 2L 11S)
	LP: Gross	(12W 8L)
	HR: F Kaneko 7, Brooks 14, Tanaka 17
	    BW Neel 21, Neel 22

[The Blue Wave hitters helped their pitchers.  In paticular,
 Neel went 4 for 5, got 2 HR and drove 6 runs in.  He got
 a grand slam in third inning on bases loaded with two outs
 just after Ichiro struck out]

 The game at Seibu was rained out in top of 5th, so it became a
 no-game.  The Hawks led by 4-2, and Yoshinaga would be credited
 with a 30-HR hitter, but his homer became mirage.

 H 0 0 0  4 0x
 L 0 0 1  1     no game
 HR(unofficial): Ohmichi, Yoshinaga, Martinez 


[Results on September 4]

At Tokyo Dome

Tigers     | 1 0 0   0 0 0   0 2 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
Giants     | 0 0 0   0 0 1   2 3 X | 6

	WP: Saitoh,M.	(5W 8L)
	Sv: Cho	(1W 1L 7S)
	LP: Itoh	(6W 4 6S)
	HR: T Coles 7
	    G Matsui 32, Shimizu 12

[Yufune gave up a homerun in both 6th and 7th.
 Coles got a 2-run homer to tie the game in top
 of 8th, but in bottom of the same inning, after
 reliever Itoh gave 2 singles and one walk, Tamura
 gave up a game-winning single to Castellano]

    The game at Seibu was rained out again.  It has turned
out that Sasaki of the Lions broke bone and he will be missed
for several weeks.


[Results on September 5]

At Yokohama

Tigers     | 0 0 0   0 0 2   1 0 1 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
BayStars   | 0 0 3   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 3

	WP: Kasai	(6W 2L 9S)
	Sv: Yamazaki	(2W 2L 1S)
	LP: Igarashi	(5W 3L)

[The Tigers tied the game with a clutch hit of PH Yagi
 in 7th, and they went ahead with a sacrifice fly of
 Kuji in 9th.  The Bay Stars didn't send Sasaki because
 they didn't lead.  Now the game behind became 6]


At Chiba

Lions      | 0 0 1   0 0 0   3 0 0 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
Marines    | 0 0 0   0 0 0   1 0 1 | 2

	WP: Toyoda	(10W 6L)
	Sv: Mori,S.	(3W 1L 6S)
	LP: Mutoh	(2W 3L)
	HR: L Ohtomo 5

[The Lions defeated the Marines.  They won
 5 games in a row against the Marines]


At Tokyo Dome

Buffaloes  | 0 0 0   4 0 4   0 1 0 | 9
-----------+-----------------------+--
Fighters   | 0 1 0   0 0 1   0 0 0 | 2

	WP: Kohda	(8W 3L)
	LP: Numata	(2W 2L)
	HR: Bu Suzuki 10
	    F Ueda 3

[The Buffaloes made comeback in middle inning to beat
 the Fighters.  In this game, Nigel Wilson was ejected
 because of unsportsman-like attitude:  In 6th, he rushed
 and tried to hit pitcher but he couldn't.  In his first
 at-bat, he was hit by pitch.  In 6th, the pitcher was
 just switched from starter Kohda to Nishikawa, and he
 threw a pitch to inside and high, near his shoulder or so.
 Oh, one more thing:  the umpire-in-chief Araya called
 Wilson with wrong name "William"]


[Results on September 6]

At Hitachinaka

Tigers     | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 | 0
-----------+-------------------------------------+--
BayStars   | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0   0 1 | 1

	WP: Igarashi	(6W 3L)
	LP: Furumizo	(1W 7L 1S)

[The Bay Stars finally defeated the Tigers in 14th inning.
 Shindoh got a game-ending single to right field.
 Sasaki of the Bay Stars threw in 10th and 11th, but
 of couse, he couldn't get save.  Actually, the Bay
 Stars would have won much earlier: Their LOB was 20]


At Nagoya Dome

Giants     | 0 1 0   0 0 5   0 0 0 | 6
-----------+-----------------------+--
Dragons    | 0 0 0   0 0 0   2 0 0 | 2

	WP: Makihara	(10W 8L)
	LP: Yamada,H.	(1W 2L)
	HR: G Kiyohara 24, Matsui 33

[The Giants went ahead with a homerun of Kiyohara in 2nd.
 In 6th, Matsui got a 3-run homerun and Makihara pitched
 well.  The Dragons went down to the bottom instead of
 the Giants]


At Chiba

Lions      | 0 3 2   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
Marines    | 1 0 0   1 0 0   0 0 0 | 2

	WP: Ishii, Taka.	(9W 6L 9S)
	Sv: Mori,S.	(3W 1L 7S)
	LP: Sonokawa	(4W 6L)
	Hd: L Nishiguchi Denny
	HR: L Tanabe 3, Suzuki,K. 14

[The Lions defeated the Marins.  The Lion manager
 Higashio would like to present a win for Nishiguchi,
 so he removed the starter Shintani on the pinch of
 bases loaded with two outs in 5th, and sent Nishiguchi
 to the mound.  He threw for 1.1 innings, and he was
 switched into Ishii Takashi.  Ishii threw for 1.2 innings,
 and in Japanese rule, the pitcher who throws longest innnings
 would be credit with a win when the starter doesn't go to
 the end of 5th and the lead durring his pitching is kept
 to the end of game]


At Fukuoka Dome

BlueWave   | 0 1 0   0 0 1   3 0 0 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
Hawks      | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0

	WP: Hoshino	(12W 6L)
	LP: Yoshitake	(5W 6L)
	HR: BW Takahashi, S. 5, Taguchi 10

[Hoshino pitched a shutout game.  The Blue Wave lead-off
 Taguchi got 3 hits, one of which was a 3-run homerun]


At Tokyo Dome

Buffaloes  | 0 1 0   0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 3 | 4
-----------+-------------------------------+--
Fighters   | 0 0 0   0 0 0   1 0 0   0 0 0 | 1

	WP: Akahori	(10W 6L 17S)
	LP: Shimazaki	(6W 6L 11S)
	HR: Bu Clark 19

[The Buffaloes are really hot.  They scored 3 runs
 with 5 singles in 12th to win]


[Results on September 7]

At Iwaki

Tigers     | 0 0 0   1 0 1   0 0 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
BayStars   | 0 1 0   0 0 0   0 4 X | 5

	WP: Yokoyama	(2W)
	Sv: Sasaki	(3W 35S)
	LP: Kawajiri	(4W 12L)
	HR: T Hiatt 9

[The Tigers turned the game with two hits of
 Hiatt, the first one was a homerun in 4th.
 But in bottom of 8th, the Bay Star batters bombed
 Kawajiri and other Tiger pitchers to win.
 Sasaki of the Bay Stars got his career 200 Save
 Points: FYI, Save points are sum of saves and relief-wins]


At Nagasaki

Carp       | 0 0 3   0 0 0   1 | 4
-----------+-------------------+--
Swallows   | 0 0 0   0 0 1   0 | 1

	WP: Sawazaki	(11W 6L)
	LP: Kawasaki	(7W 5L)
	HR: S Furuta 7

(Called game, rain, in bottom of 7th)

[In top of 3rd, one man out, the lead-off Nomura
 flied to left field.  SS Miyamoto and LF Hosey
 tried to get it:  Miyamaoto almost got it facing
 to out field when Hosy slid to his feet.  As a result,
 both of them couldn't get it, and Nomura was credited
 with a double.  After that,  the Carp scored 3 runs.
 In bottom of 7th, the Swallows had chance of runners
 on first and scond with no outs when rain became too
 heavily.  After 30 min. suspention, game was called]


At Nagoya Dome

Giants     | 0 1 0   0 4 0   0 0 3 | 8
-----------+-----------------------+--
Dragons    | 0 0 0   2 2 0   0 0 0 | 4

	WP: Nishiyama	(1W 2L)
	LP: Imanaka	(2W 1L)
	HR: G Matsui 34
	    D Gomez 24

[Shimizu got a sacrifice fly in top of 5th after
 Gomez got a 2-run shot to turn the game.  In the
 same inning, Matsui got a 3-run homerun.  He finally
 ties with Hosey in HR king race]


At Chiba

Lions      | 0 0 0   0 0 1   0 0 0 | 1
-----------+-----------------------+--
Marines    | 0 0 0   0 2 0   0 0 X | 2

	WP: Kuroki	(9W 7L)
	LP: Shiozaki	(10W 7L)
	HR: M Hori 7

[Both starters pitched a complete game.  Hori got
 a game-winning 2-run homer off Shiozaki]


At Fukuoka Dome

BlueWave   | 0 1 0   0 0 1   0 0 1 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
Hawks      | 0 0 0   0 2 0   3 0 X | 5

	WP: Sakumoto	(4W 5L 2S)
	Sv: Yoshida,S.	(4W 2L 3S)
	LP: Suzuki	(3W 4L 6S)

[The Blue Wave lost, too.  Blue Wave relievers,
 Suzuki and Nomura gave up 3 runs in 7th.
 Ichiro of the Blue Wave has not gotton any
 hit in recent three games.  Whereas the lead-off
 Taguchi is really hot recently]


At Tokyo Dome

Buffaloes  | 0 0 2   2 1 0   0 0 1 | 6
-----------+-----------------------+--
Fighters   | 0 0 0   0 0 2   1 0 0 | 3

	WP: Koike	(10W 6L)
	Sv: Akahori	(10W 6L 18S)
	LP: Kanemura	(3L)
	Hd: Bu Sano Ohtsuka Akahori
	HR: F Tanaka 18

[The Buffaloes defeated the Fighters again.
 They are going to have three games at Seibu
 from 9th through 11th]


[Results on September 9]

At Hiroshima

Tigers     | 0 2 0   1 0 0   0 0 2 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
Carp       | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 1 2 | 3

	WP: Yabu	(9W 12L)
	Sv: Itoh	(6W 4L 7S)
	LP: Yamauchi	(7W 9L)
	HR: T Yamada 3, Hiatt 10, Shinjyo 17
	    C Etoh 22, Kanemoto 28

[Yabu pitched very well.  Although He gave up back-to-back
 homeruns for Etoh and Kanemoto in bottom of 9th.
 The Tiger batters helped him with three homers: Yamada
 and Shinjyo got 2-run homers and Hiatt a solo homer.
 FYI, Wada of the Tigers has come back from injury,
 MacDonald and Secirst were fired and went back to the US]


At Tokyo Dome

BayStars   | 0 1 1   1 0 0   0 0 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
Giants     | 0 0 0   0 3 0   1 0 X | 4

	WP: Galvez	(10W 11L)
	LP: Fukumori	(4W 3L)
	HR: YB Suzuki,T. 19, Komada 8
	    G Matsui 35

[In bottom of 5th, Matsui appeared with runners
 on second and third and two outs.  Bay Star starter
 Miura didn't gave an intentional walk for him, but
 gave up a 3-run homer instead.  If Miura had gotten
 Matsui out, then the Bay Stars would have been very hot,
 but things had been changed.  In bottom of 7th,  Kawai
 hit a line drive to center field  with runner on second.
 CF Haru dived but the ball went away just beside him]


At Jingu

Dragons    | 0 0 0   2 0 0   0 0 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
Swallows   | 1 3 0   0 0 0   3 0 X | 7

	WP: Ishii,K.	(8W 4L)
	LP: Yamamoto	(16W 6L)

[The Swallows beated Yamamoto in early innings.
 In bottom of 7th, they scored 3 runs with an error
 of Gomez, two walks in and so on]


At Kobe

Marines    | 0 0 1   0 0 0   2 1 1 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
BlueWave   | 1 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 1

	WP: Yabuta	(4W 6L)
	LP: Itoh	(9W 5L)

[Yabuta pitched a complete game.  The Marines got 14
 hits in total.  In top of 7th, they had chance of
 bases loaded with one out.  After Matsumoto grounded
 to second, Ohtsuka got a game-winning hit to right
 field off Suzuki]


At Seibu

Buffaloes  | 0 1 0   0 0 0   0 0 0   0 | 1
-----------+---------------------------+--
Lions      | 0 0 0   0 4 0   3 0 0   1 | 8

	WP: Mori,S.	(4W 1L 7S)
	LP: Akahori	(10W 7L 18S)
	Hd: L Hashimoto

[Both teams are hot now, so it was a very exciting game.
 The Lions won with luck in 10 innings.  In bottom of 10th,
 the lead-off of this inning Takagi got a fly to left field.
 The ball seemed to be in light and LF Suzuki missed it.
 As a result, Takagi got third base.  After two intentional
 walks and Kakiuchi struck out,  PH Tanabe got a line drive
 to right field, which became a game-ending scrifice fly]


At Fukuoka Dome

Fighters   | 0 0 0   0 1 0   1 1 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
Hawks      | 0 0 0   0 4 0   0 3 X | 7

	WP: Kudoh	(11W 3L)
	Sv: Okamoto	(3W 6L 16S)
	LP: Gross	(12W 9L)
	Hd: H Yoshida,T. Wakatabe
	HR: F Wilson 32

[Kudoh allowed only one hit in 6 innings.  The hit
 was a homerun of Wilson and now he leads the league
 with homeruns.  In bottom of 8th, Gross gave up
 3 runs after he gave two intentional walks]


[Results on September 10]

At Hiroshima

Tigers     | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 4 1 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
Carp       | 0 3 0   1 0 0   0 0 0 | 4

	WP: Itoh	(7W 4L 7S)
	Sv: Kasai	(6W 2L 10S)
	LP: Sasaoka	(3W 5L 19S)
	HR: T Hiratsuka 14
	    C Lopez 24

[The Tigers turned the game with only three hits in top of 8th.
 Shohda, a Carp second baseman, made two errors in this inning
 to let starter Ohno shower.  OTOH, Shinjyo, Tiger CF, put out
 two men who tried the plate from second base in 5th and 8th.
 Hiratsuka got a game-winning homerun in top of 9th]


At Tokyo Dome

BayStars   | 0 0 0   2 0 0   0 0 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
Giants     | 0 0 0   3 5 0   0 0 X | 8

	WP: Kuwata	(9W 6L)
	LP: Tokano	(9W 5L)
	HR: YB 
	    G Kiyohara 25, Motoki 6

[Last night, Yokohama lost without intentional walk and
 tonight Yokohama lost with intentional walks.  In bottom
 of 4th, Kawai, the lead-off of this inning, tripled.
 Yokohama gave up a walk for Matsui, which was not officially
 an intentional walk, but actually it seemed to be intentional.
 Then Kiyohara doubled to tie the game.  With two outs in the
 same inning, Yokohama gave an intentional walk for Nishi.
 But the next batter Murata Yoshinori got a game-winning hit.
 In bottom of 5th, Kiyohara got a 3-run homer after Hirosawa's
 RBI single, and the game was decided]


At Jingu

Dragons    | 3 0 1   0 2 0   0 0 0 | 6
-----------+-----------------------+--
Swallows   | 0 0 1   0 0 0   5 3 X | 9

	WP: Yoshii	(11W 5L)
	Sv: Itoh,T.	(6W 1L 18S)
	LP: Kadokura	(9W 10L)
	HR: D Tatsunami 13, Tatsunami 14
	    S Tatum 8

[The Swallows are really hot.  They scored 5 runs
 with 5 hits in bottom of 7th to tie the game.
 In bottom of 8th, Tatum, the lead-off of this inning,
 got a game-winning homerun to left stand]


At Kobe

Marines    | 0 1 0   0 0 0   0 2 0   2 | 5
-----------+---------------------------+--
BlueWave   | 1 0 0   1 0 0   0 0 1   0 | 3

	WP: Kawamoto	(6W 4L 20S)
	LP: Kobayashi	(6W 3L 11S)
	HR: M Ohmura 3
	    BW Donnels 15, Donnels 16

[The Marines won with a game-winning 2-run hit of Yoshitsuru.
 Blue Wave relievers were still too bad to keep the lead]


At Seibu

Buffaloes  | 0 0 0   0 1 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 1
-----------+-------------------------------+--
Lions      | 0 0 0   0 0 1   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 1


(Tie Game)

Pitchers: Bu Okamoto-Shibata-Akahori-Ohtsuka
          L  Ishii, Take.-Sugiyama-Ishii,Taka.-Hashimoto-Mori,S.-Denny

[Again it was an exciting game.  The Lions tied the game in 5th
 with an error of P Okamoto.  He made bad throwing to pick second
 runner out, and the ball rolled to right-center field.  The second
 runner Matsui was enough fast to score]


At Fukuoka Dome

Fighters   | 0 0 0   1 0 2   0 2 0 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
Hawks      | 0 0 0   0 1 0   0 0 0 | 1

	WP: Kurogi	(4W 4L 3S)
	LP: Takeda	(4W 7L)
	HR: F Tanaka 19, Wilson 33

[The Fighters stopped thier losing streak.  In 6th
 Tanaka got a game-winning 2-run homerun.  In 8th,
 Wilson got his 34th homer, and he now leads Kokubo
 by 2 homers]


[Results on September 11]

At Hiroshima

Tigers     | 0 0 4   0 0 0   0 0 2 | 6
-----------+-----------------------+--
Carp       | 0 0 0   0 0 0   2 0 5 | 7

	WP: Yokoyama	(7W 5L 1S)
	LP: Kasai	(6W 3L 10S)
	HR: T Takanami 1
	    C Ogata 17

[Ogata got the game-ending grand slam to lead the team to win.
 His shot wouldn't be a homerun unless park were not Hiroshima
 or Jingu.  Funaki, Tigers starter, missed his first win in this
 season]


At Tokyo Dome

BayStars   | 1 0 1   0 0 1   0 0 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
Giants     | 2 0 5   0 0 0   0 0 X | 7

	WP: Saitoh,M.	(6W 8L)
	Sv: Iriki	(1W 6L 2S)
	LP: Mahomes	(3W 4L)
	HR: G Hirosawa 20, Matsui 36

[The Bay Stars lost three games in a row.  Hirosawa got a 2-run
 homerun in first, and Matsui a 3-run homerun in 3rd.  The
 Giants are going to have three games from 13 through 15, so
 they should win also the games against the Swallows :-)]


At Kobe

Marines    | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0
-----------+-----------------------+--
BlueWave   | 5 0 1   0 0 0   2 1 X | 9

	WP: Fraser	(7W 8L)
	LP: Mutoh	(2W 4L)
	HR: BW Fujii 14

[The Blue Wave defeated the Marines.  Fraser pitched
 a shutout game, allowing only three hits.  Kosaka,
 a Marine rookie, was creadited with SB in 4th so
 he has now made the new Japanese record of the
 most SB in the rookie year]


At Seibu

Buffaloes  | 2 0 0   1 0 0   0 0 2 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
Lions      | 0 0 0   1 2 0   0 0 0 | 3

	WP: Ohtsuka	(4W 5L 6S)
	Sv: Akahori	(10W 7L 19S)
	LP: Hashimoto	(2W 1L 1S)
	HR: Bu Mifune 1
	    L Martinez 26

[The Buffaloes defeated the Lions. In top of 9th, 
 Suzuki doubled off Mori to drive two runs in.
 They are going to have three games against the Blue Wave
 at Kobe from 13 through 15]


At Fukuoka Dome

Fighters   | 0 1 0   0 2 0   0 0 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
Hawks      | 0 0 2   1 0 0   0 1 X | 4

	WP: Sakumoto	(5W 5L 2S)
	Sv: Okamoto	(3W 6L 17S)
	LP: Shimoyanagi	(9W 4L)
	HR: F Wilson 34

[The Hawks won with a 2-run clutch hit of Yugamidani
 in bottom of 8th]


[Results on September 13]

At Koshien

Dragons    | 0 0 1   0 0 0   0 2 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
Tigers     | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0

	WP: Yamada,H.	(2W 2L)
	Sv: Yamamoto	(16W 6L 1S)
	LP: Nakagomi	(6W 6L)
	HR: D Gomez 25

[Both starters pitched well.  Nakagomi gave up one run
 with his own error in 3rd.  Takeuchi, who relieved Nakagomi,
 gave up a 2-run homerun against Gomez in 8th.
 In order for the Tigers to win the penant, it is neccesary
 that The Tigers should win all games remaining, and the
 Swallows should lose all games remaining]


At Hiroshima

BayStars   | 0 2 0   2 1 0   1 0 0 | 6
-----------+-----------------------+--
Carp       | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0

	WP: Nomura	(9W 7L)
	LP: Sawazaki	(11W 7L)
	HR: YB Komada 9, Ishii,T. 10

[Nomura pitched a shutout game for the first time in recent
 4 seasons to stop their losing streak]


At Tokyo Dome

Swallows   | 0 0 3   0 0 0   0 1 1 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
Giants     | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0

	WP: Tabata	(13W 4L)
	LP: Makihara	(10W 9L)
	HR: S Inaba 20, Hosey 35

*** Tabata pitched an one-hitter ***
[The Swallows won with Tabata's nice pitching and two homers
 of Inaba and Hosey.  In late inning, Giant relievers gave up
 two walks against Hosey, because he is almost catching up with
 Matsui in HR conpetition: Hosey 35, Matsui 36.  What a beautiful
 Japanese tradition it is :-)  The Swallows have more 4 game
 remaining than the Giants, so it would be interesting if Hosey
 go ahead of Matsui]


At Chiba

Hawks      | 0 0 0   0 0 2   2 2 0 | 6
-----------+-----------------------+--
Marines    | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0

	WP: Yoshitake	(6W 6L)
	LP: Kuroki	(9W 14L)
	HR: H Iguchi 6, Kokubo 32

[The Hawk hitters bombed Kuroki in late innings.  Kokubo got
 a 2-run shot in 8th to decide the game.  He still have hope
 to be the HR king (Wilson leads the league with 34 homers now)]


At Kobe

Lions      | 1 0 0   0 0 0   0 2 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
BlueWave   | 0 0 0   2 5 0   0 2 X | 9

	WP: Hoshino	(13W 6L)
	LP: Ishii, Taka.	(9W 7L 9S)
	HR: L Takagi, T. 7, Martinez 27
	    BW Neel 23

[Hoshino pitched a complete game  Neel got 3 hits and 5 RBI.
 Toyoda started for the Lions, but he was ejected in 3rd inning
 because of ack on his right elbow.  He will be out of roster
 for a while]


At Osaka Dome

Fighters   | 0 0 0   1 3 0   0 0 0 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
Buffaloes  | 0 0 1   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 1

	WP: Iwamoto	(5W 5L)
	LP: Sakai	(1W 4L)

[Iwamoto pitched a complete game.  The Buffaloes couldn't
 arrive at the .500 line again]


[Results on September 14]

At Koshien

Dragons    | 3 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
Tigers     | 0 1 1   1 0 1   0 0 X | 4

	WP: Kawajiri	(5W 12L)
	Sv: Itoh	(7W 4L 8S)
	LP: Udoh	(4L)
	HR: T Hiyama 21

[LOB of the Tigers was 13.  The total number of GDP were
 7 in both teams.  It's just the game for the bottom.
 The Tigers tied the game with a homerun of Hiyama, and
 went ahead with a clutch hit of Yagi.  Imanaka started
 for the Dragons, but he was not good]


At Hiroshima

BayStars   | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 4 3 | 7
-----------+-----------------------+--
Carp       | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0

	WP: Kawamura	(8W 5L)
	LP: Takahashi,K.	(3W 2L)
	HR: YB Komada 10, Suzuki,T. 20

[Both starters were good, but rookie Kawamura won.
 In 8th, after Suzuki got a RBI single, Komada got
 a 3-run shot to decide the game]


At Tokyo Dome

Swallows   | 2 0 1   0 3 4   2 0 0 |12
-----------+-----------------------+--
Giants     | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0

	WP: Yoshii	(12W 5L)
	LP: Okajima	(3W 8L)
	HR: S Tatum 9

[The Swallows again defeated the Giants.  Hosey went 2 for 2,
 3 walks, scored 4 runs.  The Giant pitchers were too nauvous
 against Hosey who now hits 35 homers, one less than Matsui]

    As a result of Swallows' win tonight,  there is no hope
for the Giants and the Tigers to win the pennant this season.


At Chiba

Hawks      | 0 0 0   1 2 0   0 0 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
Marines    | 1 0 1   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 2

	WP: Sakumoto	(6W 5L 2S)
	Sv: Okamoto	(3W 6L 18S)
	LP: Dennis	(3L)
	Hd: H Yoshida,S. Tanoue
	HR: H Akiyama 10
	    M Fukuura 5

[Akiyama got a game-winning 2-run homer in 5th.  Okamoto
 got a save to tie the Pacific League record of the most
 save points in rookie year (21 by Kawamoto in 92).  FYI,
 the Japanese record is 35, hold by Yoda (Dragons) in 90]


At Kobe

Lions      | 1 0 0   2 0 1   0 1 0 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
BlueWave   | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 1 0 | 1

	WP: Shiozaki	(11W 7L)
	Sv: Nishiguchi	(12W 4L 1S)
	LP: Noda	(6W 4L)
	HR: L Sasaki 10
	    BW Donnels 17

[The Lions beated the Blue Wave.  Shiozaki and Nishiguchi
 stopped the Blue Wave.  Noda started for the Blue Wave,
 but he often delievered down the middle in clutch]


At Osaka Dome

Fighters   | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 1 0 | 1
-----------+-----------------------+--
Buffaloes  | 0 1 1   0 1 0   0 0 X | 3

	WP: Koike	(11W 6L)
	Sv: Ohtsuka	(4W 5L 7S)
	LP: Gross	(12W 10L)
	HR: Bu Mizuguchi 7

[Koike allowed no hits until Ochiai doubled in top
 of 8th.  He gave up a clutch hit against PH Hirose
 so that he couldn't pitch a shutout game, still he
 got his 11th win]


[Results on September 15]

At Hiroshima

BayStars   | 0 7 3   0 1 0   0 0 0 |11
-----------+-----------------------+--
Carp       | 2 0 1   0 0 0   0 2 0 | 5

	WP: Miura	(8W 3L)
	LP: Yamauchi	(7W 10L)
	HR: YB Komada 11, Suzuki,T. 21
	    C Etoh 23, Asai 1

[The Bay Star hitters bombed in 2nd.  They got 5 hits,
 3 walks, 1 HB and 7 runs.  Komada got a homer in each
 recent three games]


At Tokyo Dome

Swallows   | 2 0 1   0 0 1   0 0 0 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
Giants     | 0 1 1   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 2

	WP: Takatsu	(5W 4L 7S)
	Sv: Itoh,T.	(6W 1L 19S)
	LP: Galvez	(10W 12L)
	HR: S Hosey 36, Furuta 8
	    G Kiyohara 26, Galvez 2

[The Giants won three games against the Bay Stars, and lost
 three games against the Swallows, so they decreased six from
 the "magic number" of the Swallows.  Hosey got his 36 homer
 in his second at-bat to tie Matsui in the HR-king race.
 The Giant hitters couldn't get any hit after third inning]


At Kobe

Lions      | 0 0 0   0 1 1   0 0 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
BlueWave   | 0 1 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 1

	WP: Nishiguchi	(13W 4L)
	LP: Itoh	(9W 6L)
	HR: L Suzuki,K. 15
	    BW Fukutome 1

[The Lions won two games in a row.  Now they lead the Blue Wave
 by 5 1/2 games.  The Blue Wave manager Ohgi put Fukutome in
 the line-up.  It was for the first time for him to start, and
 he homered in 2nd.  In top of 5th, runner was on third with
 two outs when Matsui grounded to third baseman.  The ball bounced
 too high to get him out at first.  How lucky the Lions was.
 In top of 6th, Suzuki got a game-winning homerun.  Nishiguchi
 again threw from bottom of 6th through the end of game to lead
 the team to win.  Or to win the pennant :-)]


At Osaka Dome

Fighters   | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 2 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
Buffaloes  | 3 0 1   0 0 1   0 3 X | 8

	WP: Takamura	(7W 8L)
	LP: Kanemura	(4L)
	HR: F Ueda 4
	    Bu Clark 20, Rhodes 21

[Takamura pitched a complete game for the first time
 in this season.  It was pity for him to gave up a
 2-run shot with two outs in 9th.  The Buffaloes have
 finnaly come back to the .500 line]


[Results on September 16]

At Koshien

Swallows   | 0 1 0   0 0 0   0 0 1   0 0 2 | 4
-----------+-------------------------------+--
Tigers     | 0 0 0   0 0 2   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 2

	WP: Itoh,T.	(7W 1L 19S)
	Sv: Katoh	(3W 1L 6S)
	LP: Itoh	(7W 5L 8S)

[The Swallows won the game in rain.  In top of 9th, Dobashi,
 the lead-off of this inning, grounded to third baseman Hiatt,
 but Hiatt made bad throwing to first baseman, and Dobashi advanced
 to second.  After a sacrifice hit,  Ikeyama hit a blooper in
 right field to tie the game.  In top of 12th, Dobashi again
 appeared on bases loaded with one out.  He jammed and grounded
 between pitcher and third baseman.  Tha ball bounced highly and
 pitcher Itoh got it to throw to the catcher.  Johzume couldn't
 catch the ball and the Swallows had the game-winning run]

Because of Typhoon, the game in Fukuoka Dome was canceled.
The game in Chiba was also rained out.  Somehow the game in
Koshien was played :-)


[Results on September 17]

At Koshien

Swallows   | 0 0 0   1 0 0   0 0 1   0 2 | 4
-----------+-----------------------------+--
Tigers     | 0 2 0   0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 | 2

	WP: Takatsu	(6W 4L 7S)
	LP: Funaki	(7L)
	HR: S Tatum 10
	    T Hiratsuka 5

[The Tigers were again caught up with in 9th.  Yufune gave up
 a clutch hit against Miyamoto when runner were on first and
 second with two outs in top of 9th.  In 11th, Iida got a
 game-winning double into left-center field.  Now the magic
 number for the Swallows was decreased to 9]


At Yokohama

Giants     | 1 0 0   1 2 0   0 0 0 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
BayStars   | 1 0 0   0 1 0   0 0 0 | 2

	WP: Kuwata	(10W 6L)
	Sv: Cho	(1W 1L 8S)
	LP: Sekiguchi	(4W 4L 1S)
	HR: G Kiyohara 27

[The Giants again beated the Bay Stars.  Kiyohara got a 2-run
 homerun in 5th to help Kuwata.  The Bay star hitters couldn't
 get any hit after 6th inning]


At Nagoya Dome

Carp       | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 3 1   0 0 2 | 6
-----------+-------------------------------+--
Dragons    | 0 1 0   0 3 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 4

	WP: Yokoyama	(8W 5L 1S)
	Sv: Sasaoka	(3W 5L 20S)
	LP: Yamamoto	(16W 7L 1S)
	HR: C Shohda 5, Lopez 25

[Yamamoto and Ohno started.  Both pitchers have chance to
 lead the league with ERA, but Ohno was removed before the
 end of 5th.  Yamamoto was so good that he allowed only
 one hit till the end of 7th.  But he allowed the second
 hit against Shoda, which was a 3-run homerun.  In 9th,
 after a double play, he gave up a HR for Lopez.  He went
 to extra innings to get a win, but he gave up 2 earned runs
 in 12th inning.  As a result, Tabata of the Swallows
 still leads the league with ERA]


At Chiba

Buffaloes  | 2 0 0   0 3 0   1 0 0 | 6
-----------+-----------------------+--
Marines    | 0 0 0   1 0 0   0 0 2 | 3

	WP: Kohda	(9W 3L)
	Sv: Akahori	(10W 7L 20S)
	LP: Yabuta	(4W 7L)
	HR: Bu Clark 21

[Clark went 4 for 4, got 4 RBI.  If he could triple in his
 final at-bat, he would hit for cycle, but he walked]


At Tokyo Dome

BlueWave   | 3 0 2   0 1 0   0 3 0 | 9
-----------+-----------------------+--
Fighters   | 0 0 0   2 0 0   0 2 0 | 4

	WP: Sugimoto,Y.	(1W 1L)
	LP: Imazeki	(1W 4L)
	HR: BW Fujii 15

[Ohgi Magic led the team to win.  He put Ichiro into the second
 in batting order.  Ichiro went 3 for 5, got 1 RBI]


At Fukuoka Dome

Lions      | 0 1 3   2 0 0   0 0 0 | 6
-----------+-----------------------+--
Hawks      | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 1 0 | 1

	WP: Ishii, Take.	(4W 3L)
	Sv: Mori,S.	(4W 1L 8S)
	LP: Kudoh	(11W 4L)
	HR: L Martinez 28

[The Lions knocked out Kudoh in early innings.  Martinez
 homered in second inning to go ahead.  Lion pitchers were
 so good that they didn't allow the Hawks to come back]


[Results on September 18]

At Nagoya Dome

Carp       | 2 0 0   0 2 0   0 0 0 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
Dragons    | 0 0 0   0 4 0   2 0 X | 6

	WP: Nakayama	(6W 5L)
	Sv: Sun	(1W 1L 34S)
	LP: Perdomo	(2W 2L)
	HR: C Etoh 24

[Sun has comeback from injury.  The Dragons tied the
 game in 5th with 4 hits, one fielder's choice and
 one error.  In 7th, Gomez got a game-winning single
 after two men walked]


At Tokyo Dome

BlueWave   | 1 0 0   0 0 0   1 0 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
Fighters   | 4 0 0   2 0 0   3 0 X | 9

	WP: Iwamoto	(6W 5L 3S)
	LP: Hoshino	(13W 7L)
	HR: BW Hironaga 1
	    F Kaneko 8, Kataoka 16, Kataoka 17

[The Fighters defeated the Blue Wave.  Hoshino started
 for the Blue Wave, but when he deliver the first pitch
 in bottom of first, he fell down at the mound.  Probably
 he didn't fit the mound tonight :-)  He not only gave up
 a 2-run shot against Kaneko, but also allowed two more
 runs with 4 hits in the first inning.  The Blue Wave hitters
 could get only 4 hits after second inning]


[Results on September 19]

At Jingu

BayStars   | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 1 | 1
-----------+-----------------------+--
Swallows   | 0 0 0   0 0 4   3 2 X | 9

	WP: Ishii,K.	(9W 4L)
	LP: Tokano	(9W 6L)
	HR: YB Rose 17
	    S Ishii,K. 1

[Ishii of the Swallows led the team to win.  He got a homer
 in bottom of 6th, which was the first hit for the Swallows.
 After that, Tokano became too bad, and the Swallows scored
 4 runs in this inning.  Ishii went to the end of 8th, and
 he allowed only two hits]


At Hiroshima

Giants     | 0 2 0   0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0   0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------------------+--
Carp       | 0 2 0   0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0   1 | 3

	WP: Sasaoka	(4W 5L 20S)
	LP: Nishiyama	(1W 3L)
	HR: G Motoki 7
	    C Perez 3

[Maeda of the Carp went 6 for 6.  Perez got a game-ending homerun
 in bottom of 13th]


At Seibu

Marines    | 0 0 0   0 3 0   0 1 0 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
Lions      | 2 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 1 | 3

	WP: Kuroki	(10W 14L)
	Sv: Kawamoto	(6W 4L 21S)
	LP: Nishiguchi	(13W 5L 1S)

[Nishiguchi pitched a complete game but he lost with one earned run.
 Kawamoto allowed the Lions to comeback in bottom of 9th, still he
 managed to keep the lead.  The Marines stopped their losing series
 at Seibu Lions Stadium (they lost 11 games in a row)]


[Results on September 20]

At Nagoya Dome

Tigers     | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0
-----------+-----------------------+--
Dragons    | 2 1 0   0 0 4   0 0 X | 7

	WP: Yamada,H.	(3W 2L)
	LP: Kawajiri	(5W 13L)
	HR: D Gomez 26

[Yamada pitched his career first complete game with
 a shutout game.  The Tigers are now going down to
 the bottom, still they are in the 5th place]


At Jingu

BayStars   | 0 0 0   0 1 0   2 0 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
Swallows   | 2 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 2

	WP: Nomura	(10W 7L)
	Sv: Sasaki	(3W 35S)
	LP: Tabata	(13W 5L)
	HR: YB Komada 12

[The Bay Stars stopped the Swallows tonight.
 Komada got a game-winning 2-run homerun in 7th,
 and Sasaki, who didn't appeared for long time :-),
 closed the game]


At Hiroshima

Giants     | 0 0 1   0 2 1   0 1 0 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
Carp       | 0 2 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 2

	WP: Okajima	(4W 8L)
	Sv: Cho	(1W 1L 9S)
	LP: Takahashi,K.	(3W 3L)
	HR: C Shohda 6

[The Giants defeated the Carp.  They are hot now, but
 it's too late]


At Seibu

Marines    | 1 0 0   1 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 2
-----------+-------------------------------+--
Lions      | 1 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 1   0 0 1 | 3

	WP: Denny	(4W)
	LP: Kawamoto	(6W 5L 21S)
	HR: L Itoh 12

[The Lions tied the game in bottom of 9th, and
 won with a game-ending homerun of Itoh in 12th inning.
 PH Kanemura doubled off Kawamoto when a runner was on
 third with two outs in bottom of 9th.  Now the Magic
 number for the Lions is 10]


At Osaka Dome

BlueWave   | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0
-----------+-----------------------+--
Buffaloes  | 0 0 0   1 0 0   1 4 X | 6

	WP: Okamoto	(8W 5L)
	LP: Sugimoto,Y.	(1W 2L)
	HR: Bu Nakamura 17, Nakamura 18, Nakamura 19

[Nakamura got 3 homers to defeat the Blue Wave.
 They are now 3 games behind of the Blue Wave, so
 the Blue Wave should worry about the 2nd place :-)]


At Tokyo Dome

Hawks      | 0 1 0   0 0 0   1 0 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
Fighters   | 0 2 0   1 0 1   0 0 X | 4

	WP: Gross	(13W 10L)
	Sv: Kurogi	(4W 4L 4S)
	LP: Takeda	(4W 8L)
	HR: H Kokubo 33
	    F Nishiura 1

[Kokubo got his 33rd homer, one less than Wilson.
 He now leads the league with RBI, so he might get
 both the HR king and the RBI king.  Gross got his
 13th win to be a co-leader with most wins, but
 the number of remaining games of the Fighters is
 only 9, whereas that of the Blue Wave, to which
 another leader Hoshino belongs, is 17]


[Results on September 21]

At Nagoya Dome

Tigers     | 0 1 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 1
-----------+-----------------------+--
Dragons    | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 2 | 2

	WP: Nakayama	(7W 5L)
	LP: Tamura	(2L 8S)

[What a pity game for the Tigers.  Nakagomi allowed no runs
 till 8th, but Yoshida swithed him into Tamura in bottom of
 9th because the lead-off of this inning was a left-hitter
 Taiho.  Tamura got him out, but he gave up three continous
 hits, a double, a triple and a single, and the Tigers lost]


At Jingu

BayStars   | 1 0 1   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
Swallows   | 0 0 0   0 0 2   0 0 1 | 3

	WP: Katoh	(4W 1L 6S)
	LP: Shimada	(5W 6L 1S)
	HR: S Furuta 9

[Furuta led the team to win.  He got a clutch hit in
 6th to tie the game.  In 9th, he got a game-ending
 homerun to the left stand.  Miura started for the Bay
 Stars, and he pitched well.  It was the 6th inning when
 he gave up a walk and a hit-batter with no outs, and
 allowed 2 runs]


At Hiroshima

Giants     | 0 0 3   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
Carp       | 0 1 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 1

	WP: Misawa	(2W 3L 1S)
	Sv: Cho	(1W 1L 10S)
	LP: Shima	(1L)

[Matsui got a 2-run game-winning double in third to be a
 co-leader with RBI rase.  FYI, the other leader is Lopez
 of the Carp.  Galvez started for the Giants, but he had
 pain with his left shoulder on batting in top of third
 and he was replaced.  It is said that there is nothing
 serious with his shoulder.
    The Carp now have no chance to win the pennant this year]


At Seibu

Marines    | 2 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
Lions      | 0 1 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 1

	WP: Komiyama	(10W 8L)
	Sv: Kondoh	(4W 2L 2S)
	LP: Yokota	(4L)

[Komiyama pitched very well.  He went to the end of 6th, and
 he raise his ERA, so he still leads the league with ERA.
 In bottom of 9th, PH Kanemura appeared with runner on first
 with two outs.  The first runner stole the second base, so
 situation seemed to be alomost the same in yesterday's game.
 But tonight, Kondoh got Kanemura struck out]


At Osaka Dome

BlueWave   | 0 0 0   2 0 0   0 0 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
Buffaloes  | 2 5 0   0 0 0   0 0 X | 7

	WP: Koike	(12W 6L)
	LP: Noda	(6W 5L)
	HR: BW Ichiro 15, Fujii 16

[Koike pitched a complete game.  The only hits that he allowed
 was two homers against Ichiro and Fujii.  Clark went 3 for 4,
 to raise his BA to .334.  Ichiro hits .345, so Clark has
 chance to defeat him.
    Now there is no chance for the Buffaloes to win the pennant,
 and the Magic number for the Lions is 9]


At Tokyo Dome

Hawks      | 1 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 1 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
Fighters   | 1 0 0   3 4 0   0 0 X | 8

	WP: Numata	(3W 2L)
	LP: Tanoue	(2W 8L)
	HR: F Ueda 5

[Kokugo got 100 RBI.  Ueda of the Fighters got 4 RBI]


[Results on September 23]

At Koshien

Giants     | 0 0 0   1 1 0   0 1 0   0 1 | 4
-----------+-----------------------------+--
Tigers     | 0 1 0   0 0 2   0 0 0   0 2 | 5

	WP: Itoh	(8W 5L 8S)
	LP: Cho	(1W 2L 10S)
	HR: G Hirosawa 21
	    T Shinjyo 18

[The Tigers came back in bottom of 11th.  Motonishi got
 a clutch hit to tie the game when runner was on first
 and second with two outs.  The next batter Wada got a
 game-ending single to right foul line.  Matsui walked
 4 times, 2 of which were intentional walks in 9th and
 11th when first base was empty]


At Hiroshima

Swallows   | 0 1 0   2 0 0   0 0 0   0 | 3
-----------+---------------------------+--
Carp       | 0 2 0   0 0 0   0 0 1   1 | 4

	WP: Yokoyama	(9W 5L 1S)
	LP: Itoh,T.	(7W 2L 19S)
	HR: C Etoh 25

[The Carp defeated Itoh Tomohito.  In bottom of 9th,
 after Ogata singled and stole second, Nomura doubled to
 tie the game.  In bottom of 10th, again Nomura got a
 game-ending hit off Katoh with runners on second and first
 and two outs]


At Tokyo Dome

Marines    | 1 0 0   0 0 0   1 0 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
Fighters   | 0 0 0   1 1 0   0 0 1 | 3

	WP: Kurogi	(5W 4L 4S)
	LP: Yabuta	(4W 8L)
	HR: M Tachikawa 7
	    F Nishiura 2, Ide 7

[The Fighters won to go up to the 4th place.  The Marine
 starter Yabuta gave up pitch of bases loaded with no outs
 in bottom of 9th and he was switched into Kawamoto.  But
 Kawamoto allowed PH Hirose to get a game-ending hit]


At Kobe

Hawks      | 1 0 0   0 2 0   0 0 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
BlueWave   | 5 0 0   0 1 0   1 0 X | 7

	WP: Itoh	(10W 6L)
	Sv: Kobayashi	(6W 3L 12S)
	LP: Kudoh	(11W 5L)

[The Blue Wave bombed Kudoh in first inning.  Kudoh was removed
 with only 26 pitches]


At Osaka Dome

Lions      | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0
-----------+-----------------------+--
Buffaloes  | 0 1 0   1 3 0   1 2 X | 8

	WP: Takamura	(8W 8L)
	LP: Ishii, Take.	(4W 4L)
	HR: Bu Clark 22

[The Buffaloes beated the Lions.  All Buffalo starters got at least
 one hit.  Clark went 4 for 5 and raised his BA into .339.  Ichiro
 hits .345, so Clark has enough chance to be the leading hitter]


[Results on September 24]

At Koshien

Giants     | 1 0 0   0 0 0   1 0 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
Tigers     | 0 0 0   3 0 0   0 0 X | 3

	WP: Funaki	(1W 7L)
	Sv: Kawajiri	(5W 13L 1S)
	LP: Kuwata	(10W 7L)
	HR: G Ohmori 1

[PH Yagi tripled off Kuwata in bottom of 4th on bases
 loaded with two outs.  Funaki, who relieved on the 4th
 inniing, got his first win in this season]


At Yokohama

Dragons    | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 2 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
BayStars   | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0

	WP: Yamamoto	(17W 7L 1S)
	Sv: Sun	(1W 1L 35S)
	LP: Kawamura	(8W 6L)
	HR: D Yamada,Ko. 1

[Both starters pitched well.  Yamada got a game-winning
 2-run homerun to help Yamamoto.  Yamamoto will be the
 most winning pitcher in the Central League]


At Hiroshima

Swallows   | 1 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 1
-----------+-----------------------+--
Carp       | 0 0 0   1 0 3   0 1 X | 5

	WP: Ohno	(9W 5L)
	Sv: Sasaoka	(4W 5L 21S)
	LP: Itoh,A.	(3W 1L)
	HR: S Inaba 21
	    C Lopez 26

[Ohno went to the end 7th to be lead the league with
 ERA.  The Carp beated the Swallows, but the Bay Stars lost
 so the magic number for the Swallows became 4]


At Tokyo Dome

Marines    | 0 0 0   2 0 0   0 0 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
Fighters   | 0 0 1   0 3 1   0 0 X | 5

	WP: Iwamoto	(7W 5L 3S)
	Sv: Kurogi	(5W 4L 5S)
	LP: Takekiyo	(2W 9L)
	Hd: F Shimoyanagi
	HR: F Kaneko 9, Kaneko 10, Wilson 35, Ueda 6

[The Fighters defeated the Marines with 4 homers]


At Kobe

Hawks      | 0 0 2   0 0 0   3 0 0 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
BlueWave   | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0

	WP: Yoshitake	(7W 6L)
	LP: Hoshino	(13W 8L)

[Yoshitake pitched a shutout game.  Hoshino gave up
 runs after he walked the lead-off in both 3rd and 7th]


At Osaka Dome

Lions      | 0 2 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
Buffaloes  | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 1 0 | 1

	WP: Nishiguchi	(14W 5L 1S)
	LP: Kohda	(9W 4L)
	HR: L Sasaki 11

[Nishiguchi pitched a complete game.  He allowed
 only 3 hits.  In 2nd, Sasaki got a solo-homer
 and Kawada doubled to drive another run in.
 The magic number for the Lions was decreased to 7]


[Results on September 25]

At Hiroshima

Dragons    | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 1 0 | 1
-----------+-----------------------+--
BayStars   | 4 1 0   2 4 0   0 0 X |11

	WP: Tokano	(10W 6L)
	LP: Kadokura	(9W 11L)

[Tokano got his 10th win.  The Bay Stars won whereas
 the game of the Swallows was rained out, so the magic
 number for the Swallows wasn't decreased]


At Tokyo Dome

Marines    | 2 1 3   0 1 0   0 0 0 | 7
-----------+-----------------------+--
Fighters   | 0 0 1   0 1 0   0 0 0 | 2

	WP: Kuroki	(11W 14L)
	Sv: Kawamoto	(6W 5L 22S)
	LP: Gross	(13W 11L)
	HR: M Hori 8

[Gross couldn't win.  It is very hard for him to lead the
 league with the most wins]


At Kobe

Hawks      | 0 3 3   0 1 4 |11
-----------+---------------+--
BlueWave   | 1 2 1   1 0 X | 5

	WP: Sakumoto	(7W 5L 2S)
	LP: Fraser	(7W 9L)
	HR: H Iguchi 7, Kokubo 34, Johjima 15, Ohmichi 6
	    BW Ogawa 11

(Called game, rain, in top of 6th)

[The Hawks bombed the Blue Wave with 12 hits, 4 of which were
 homeruns.  If it would have started raining earlier, then
 the game might be no game :-)  Anyway Blue Wave relievers
 are still too bad]


[Results on September 26]

At Jingu

Tigers     | 0 0 0   0 0 3   0 0 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
Swallows   | 2 0 1   4 0 3   0 5 X |15

	WP: Tabata	(14W 5L)
	LP: Yufune	(8W 6L)
	HR: T Hiratsuka 16
	    S Hosey 37, Hosey 38

[The Swallows defeated the Tigers.  Hosey got a
 grand slam off Yufune in 4th, and another homer
 off Yuminaga in 8th]


At Tokyo Dome

Dragons    | 0 0 0   0 1 2   0 0 1 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
Giants     | 2 0 0   1 2 4   0 1 X |10

	WP: Makihara	(11W 9L)
	LP: Maeda	(2W 13L)
	HR: D Inoue 2, Gomez 27, Taihoh 11
	    G Hirosawa 22, Kiyohara 28

[Hirosawa hit for cycle.  But in his first at-bat, he
 grounded into double play :-) Matsui couldn't get any homer]


At Chiba

BlueWave   | 0 0 1   2 0 0   0 1 0 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
Marines    | 0 0 1   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 1

	WP: Sugimoto,Y.	(2W 2L)
	Sv: Kobayashi	(6W 3L 13S)
	LP: Sonokawa	(4W 7L)

[The Blue Wave won the game in rain.  Sugimoto pitched very well]


At Kitakyushu

Buffaloes  | 0 0 0   0 0 0   2 0 0 | 2
-----------+-----------------------+--
Hawks      | 1 0 1   3 0 0   0 1 X | 6

	WP: Tanoue	(3W 8L)
	LP: Sakai	(1W 5L)
	Hd: H Sakumoto Kimura Wakatabe
	HR: Bu 
	    H Akiyama 11, Iguchi 8

[Iguchi homered again]


[Results on September 27]

At Jingu

Tigers     | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 4   0 | 4
-----------+---------------------------+--
Swallows   | 1 0 0   0 1 0   2 0 0   1 | 5

	WP: Takatsu	(9W 4L 7S)
	LP: Kawajiri	(5W 14L 1S)
	HR: T Shinjyo 19
	    S Ikeyama 16

[Shinjyo got a grand slam off Ishii in top of 9th to tie
 the game, but Kawajiri gave up a game-ending hit against
 Furuta in bottom of 10th.  Now the magic number for the
 Swallows becomes one, because the loss of the Bay Stars]


At Yokohama

Carp       | 2 0 0   1 3 0   0 0 0   4 |10
-----------+---------------------------+--
BayStars   | 1 0 0   2 1 0   1 1 0   0 | 6

	WP: Sasaoka	(5W 5L 21S)
	LP: Shimada	(5W 7L 1S)
	HR: C Maeda 14, Kanemoto 29, Etoh 26
	    YB Hatayama 1

[Shimada gave up a grand slam against Etoh
 in top of 10th.  The Central league seems
 to be almost finished]


At Tokyo Dome

Dragons    | 0 0 1   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 1
-----------+-----------------------+--
Giants     | 0 0 0   0 0 0   1 2 X | 3

	WP: Misawa	(3W 3L 1S)
	LP: Nakayama	(7W 6L)
	HR: D Gomez 28
	    G Motoki 8, Kiyohara 29

[Kiyohara got a game-winning 2-run homerun in 8th.
 Okajima pitched well and he went to the end of 7th,
 but the winning pitcher was Misawa]


At Chiba

BlueWave   | 1 0 0   0 2 0   0 0 2 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
Marines    | 1 2 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 3

	WP: Noda	(7W 5L)
	Sv: Nomura	(4W 5L 8S)
	LP: Yoshida	(5W 3L 2S)

[Ichiro got 4 hits.  In top of 9th, Donnels and Neel got
 back-to-back sacrifice flies]


At Seibu

Fighters   | 1 0 0   0 1 1   0 1 0 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
Lions      | 1 0 1   0 0 0   2 0 1 | 5

	WP: Mori,S.	(5W 1L 8S)
	LP: Kurogi	(5W 5L 5S)
	HR: F Taguchi 4, Wilson 36
	    L Suzuki,K. 16

[Maritinez got a game-ending hit to lead the team to win.
 His shot hit the wall in right-center field when runner
 was on second with two outs in bottom of 9th]


At Fukuoka Dome

Buffaloes  | 2 3 0   3 0 0   1 0 0 | 9
-----------+-----------------------+--
Hawks      | 0 0 0   0 2 0   1 0 0 | 3

	WP: Okamoto	(9W 5L)
	Sv: Akahori	(10W 7L 21S)
	LP: Takeda	(4W 9L)
	HR: Bu Rhodes 22

[I watched the game at Fukuoka Dome.  The Bufflaoes hitters
 bombed Takeda in early innings.  In the first Rhode's shot
 hit the right foul pole to drive 2 runs in.  In second,
 the Buffaloes scored 3 runs with help of an error.  In the
 bottom of 5th, after they scored 2 runs, there was the key play.
 runners were on first and second with two outs.  The batter
 grounded to shortstop and SS made bad throwing to second baseman,
 and the ball went over to right foul teritory.  But first runner
 Yoshinaga couldn't advance because of bad slideing.  If
 Yoshinaga could run, then the Hawks would have chance of runners
 on second and third, but they had only chance of runners on first
 and second.  Bad thing is  that the next batter singled.  Of
 course Yoshinaga stopped at third :-)]


[Results on September 28]

At Jingu

Tigers     | 0 0 0   0 0 0   1 0 0 | 1
-----------+-----------------------+--
Swallows   | 0 1 0   5 4 4   0 2 X |16

	WP: Yoshii	(13W 5L)
	LP: Nakagomi	(6W 7L)

**** Yakult Swallows have clinced the pennant ****

[What a shame game.  The Tigers lost three games in a row
 to contribute to the win of the Swallows very well.
 The Swallows got 19 hits and 16 runs to defeated the Tigers]


At Yokohama

Carp       | 1 0 0   2 0 0   0 0 1 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
BayStars   | 2 0 3   0 0 0   0 4 X | 9

	WP: Miura	(9W 3L)
	LP: Kitoh	(1W 5L)
	HR: YB Rose 18

[In daygame, the Bay Stars won.  Rose got a 3-run homerun
 in third]



At Tokyo Dome

Dragons    | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0
-----------+-----------------------+--
Giants     | 0 0 0   0 0 1   2 0 X | 3

	WP: Galvez	(11W 12L)
	LP: Imanaka	(2W 2L)
	HR: G Galvez 3, Motoki 9

[This game was for Miyamoto as his retirement game, but
 Giant starter Galvez pitched very well.  He didn't allow
 any hit until one out of 8th inning, although Aikoh singled
 to stop no-hitter.  Miyamoto pitched against the final batter,
 Gomez, and he got him grounded out to second baseman.
 If Galvez wouldn't have allow any hit until the end of 8th,
 then Miyamoto would be a pinch hitter :-)]


At Chiba

BlueWave   | 1 1 1   0 1 0   0 0 0 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
Marines    | 2 0 0   0 1 2   0 0 X | 5

	WP: Takekiyo	(3W 9L)
	Sv: Kawamoto	(6W 5L 23S)
	LP: Suzuki	(3W 5L 6S)
	Hd: M Kondoh

[The Blue Wave lost again.  Suzuki and Mizuo couldn't
 keep the lead]


At Seibu

Fighters   | 1 0 0   2 0 0   0 0 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
Lions      | 0 2 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 2

	WP: Kanemura	(1W 4L)
	LP: Yokota	(5L)
	HR: F Ide 8, Wilson 37

[Kanemura pitched a complete game to stop the Lions.
 But since the Blue Wave lost, the magic number for the
 Lions became 4]


At Fukuoka Dome

Buffaloes  | 0 0 2   0 0 2   1 0 0 | 5
-----------+-----------------------+--
Hawks      | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0

	WP: Koike	(13W 6L)
	LP: Kudoh	(11W 6L)

[Koike and Ohtsuka didn't allow the Hawks to score.
 The Hawks have announced that Oh will be the manager
 also in next season]


[Results on September 29]

At Seibu

Fighters   | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0 | 0
-----------+-----------------------+--
Lions      | 0 0 0   3 0 0   0 3 X | 6

	WP: Ishii, Taka.	(10W 7L 9S)
	LP: Iwamoto	(7W 6L 3S)
	HR: L Suzuki,K. 17, Martinez 29, Sasaki 12, Martinez 30

[The Lion hitters, Suzuki, Martinez and Sasaki, got three homers
 in a row.  Martinez also got a 3-run homer in 8th.  OTOH, Ishii
 Takashi pitched his first complete game with a shutout game.
 Now the magic number for the Lions is only three]


[Results on September 30]

At Hiroshima

Tigers     | 0 0 0   0 2 0   1 1 0 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
Carp       | 1 0 0   0 0 0   0 1 1 | 3

	WP: Yabu	(10W 12L)
	Sv: Kawajiri	(5W 14L 2S)
	LP: Sawazaki	(11W 8L)
	HR: T Yamada 4
	    C Lopez 27

[The Tigers won the Carp after three losses against the Swallows.
 Kawajiri stopped the comeback of the Carp]


At Yokohama

Giants     | 1 0 0   0 0 0   0 3 0 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
BayStars   | 0 0 0   0 6 0   0 0 X | 6

	WP: Kawamura	(9W 6L)
	Sv: Sasaki	(3W 37S)
	LP: Misawa	(3W 4L 1S)
	HR: G Matsui 37

[Rookie Kawamura got his 9th win, one win less than Sawazaki
 of the Carp.  Matsui homered, and one homer behind of the Hosey]


At Nagoya Dome

Swallows   | 0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 1 | 1
-----------+-----------------------+--
Dragons    | 1 1 0   0 0 0   1 1 X | 4

	WP: Yamamoto	(18W 7L 1S)
	Sv: Sun	(1W 1L 36S)
	LP: Yamabe	(2L 1S)
	HR: D Gomez 29

[Yamamoto leads the league with ERA, wins and SO.
 Kawamata of the Dragons annonced his retirement at the end
 of this season]


At Chiba

Fighters   | 0 1 1   0 0 0   1 1 0 | 4
-----------+-----------------------+--
Marines    | 0 0 1   0 0 0   0 5 X | 6

	WP: Yabuta	(5W 8L)
	Sv: Kawamoto	(6W 5L 24S)
	LP: Shimazaki	(6W 7L 11S)
	Hd: F Kurogi Shimoyanagi
	HR: F Nishiura 3
	    M Thompson 14

[In bottom of 8th, Carreon got a clutch hit to tie the game,
 and Thompson got a game-winning 2-run homerun.  Gross couldn't
 win so he has almost no hope to be the most winning pitcher.
 He is going back to the US soon]


At Kobe

Lions      | 0 2 0   0 0 0   1 0 0 | 3
-----------+-----------------------+--
BlueWave   | 1 0 1   0 6 0   0 0 X | 8

	WP: Hoshino	(14W 8L)
	LP: Ishii, Take.	(4W 5L)

[Hoshino pitched a complete game to privent the Lions to
 clinch the pennant.  The Lions couldn't win until Oct. 3]