Power Pros Forum

You guys are still in school? We got out in the end of May.

After some rigorous studying... lol jk, after some laziness and procrastination, I am ready to update this!

April 25, 2013

We're playing the BayStars today, so far this season we're 1-3-1 against them.

Hanshin Tigers (14-8-2) - 5
Yokohama BayStars (13-9-1) - 6

Tigers:

Lineup:
1. Takashi Toritani – SS (1-4, 2B)
2. Fumihiko Saito - 2B (1-3, SAC)
3. Kazuhiro Wada – LF (2-4, DP, 1 RBI [7])
4. Kazuteru Tani – RF (1-4, DP, HR [5], 1 RBI [24])
5. Kiyoshi Abe – C (1-4, 2B)
6. Riki Kawamoto – CF (1-4, HR [1], 1 RBI [16])
7. Ryo Katsuki - 1B (1-4, HR [3], 2 RBI [15, 16])
8. Tetsuji Katsuki - 3B (0-3, 2 K)
9. PITCHER (1-2)
- Michiro Furuhashi – PH (0-1)

Pitcher(s):
Tsuyoshi Moriyama (5+ IP, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 K’s)
Hirotaka Egusa (1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 K’s)
Shota Kimura (1 IP, 0 R, 0 K’s)
Yoshinori Tateyama (2 IP, 0 R, 0 K’s)

BayStars:

Lineup:
1. Kazuya Fujita – SS (1-5)
2. Jose Castillo - 2B (1-4, 2B, K)
3. Alex Ramirez – RF (1-4, HR [5], 2 RBI [14, 15])
4. Shuichi Murata - 3B (1-4, K, 2B)
5. Seiichi Uchikawa - 1B (1-4)
6. Yuki Takamori – C (0-4, K, DP)
7. Terrmel Sledge – LF (3-4, 2B, 2 HR [4, 5], 3 RBI [17, 18, 19])
8. Yuki Yoshimura – CF (2-4)
9. PITCHER (1-3, 2B, FC, 1 RBI [1])
- Tatsuya Shimozono – PH (0-1)

Pitcher(s):
Shigeru Kaga (6 1/3 IP, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 K)
Shintaro Ejiri (1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 K)
Shun Yamaguchi (1 IP, 0 R, 0 K’s)

MVP(s):
Alex Ramirez – His homerun in the first gave the BayStars the lead, and they never looked back
Shun Yamaguchi – For closing out the game

WP: Shigeru Kaga (3-0)
LP: Tsuyoshi Moriyama (2-1)
S: Shun Yamaguchi (6)

Nishinomiya Sports
April 26, 2013
Missed It By That Much
– Alex Ramirez
– Shun Yamaguchi

Koshien Stadium, Nishinomiya, Hyōgo – The Tigers lost a heartbreaker to the BayStars 6-5. The Tigers had many scoring opportunities throughout the game, but failed to capitalize on most of them, the ones that counted.

The BayStars struck first, and quickly. Alex Ramirez hit a 2-run shot in the first inning, and the BayStars never gave up that lead. The BayStars showed great pitching overall with Kaga (until the 7th inning) and then Ejiri and finally Yamaguchi, who closed it out. Overall, a disappointing game. The score was nearly 7-5 in the top of the 9th, but luckily, pinch hitter, Shimozono’s hit curve just foul down the right field line. He ended up grounding out.

But in the good news department, the Tigers have made it official; they picked up the American starting pitcher, Bobby Murphy. He will be replacing the struggling Tsuyoshi Moriyama in the rotation. Moriyama has been sent down to the second string team to fine tune his stuff. In his press conference he said, “It’s an honor to be here, and I hope to play against my uncle, Bill. And beat him!” And also, Kawamoto extend his hitting streak to 19 games, the highest in the NPB. Congratulations!

- Takaharu Sonada

Yeah, it sucks. We have to go until Friday, but I get to leave at 10, since you can leave once you're done with your finals!

But I have to go back August 31.........

You guys have a SHORT summer break. I feel for ya bro.

Thanks, man. It really sucks.

I only have 9 weeks.

BUT, on the other hand, next year (if there aren't any snow days) I get out June 15!

I still get out on the Friday before Labor Day.

May 1, 2013

Today is Bobby's first career start!

Hanshin Tigers (18-9-2) - 3
Yomiuri Giants (18-10-0) - 9

Tigers:

Lineup:
1. Takashi Toritani – SS (1-4, 2B)
2. Riki Kawamoto – CF (2-4)
3. Kazuhiro Wada – LF (2-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI [9, 10, 11])
4. Kazuteru Tani – RF (0-3, BB, SB, CS)
5. Kiyoshi Abe – C (2-4, 2B)
6. Ryo Katsuki - 1B (0-4, DP)
7. Tetsuji Katsuki - 3B (1-4)
8. Fumihiko Saito - 2B (0-4)
9. PITCHER (1-2)
- Keisuke Kanoh – PH (0-1)

Pitcher(s):
Bobby Murphy (5 1/3 IP, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 K’s)
Shota Kimura (2/3 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 K’s)
Hirotaka Egusa (2 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 K’s)

Giants:

Lineup:
1. Hayato Sakamoto – SS (1-5, 2B, 1 RBI [14])
2. Takahiro Suzuki - LF (1-5, 1 RBI [6])
3. Michihiro Ogasawara - 3B (3-5, 3B, HR [5], 2 RBI [20, 21])
4. Tetsuya Matsumoto – CF (2-5, 3B, 1 RBI [22])
5. Yoshiyuki Kamei - 1B (2-5, K, 2B, HR [9], 2 RBI [26, 27])
6. Hisayoshi Chōno – RF (1-5, 1 RBI [22])
7. Edgar Gonzalez - 2B (3-4, 3B)
8. Tomoya Ichikawa – C (1-4, DP)
9. PITCHER (1-2, K)
- Yoshitomo Tani – PH (1-1, 2B)
- Lee Seung-Yeop – PH (0-0, SF, 1 RBI [2])

Pitcher(s):
Shun Tohno (5 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 K’s)
Norihito Kaneto (1 IP, 0 R, 0 K’s)
Daisuke Ochi (1 IP, 0 R, 0 K’s)
Sawai (2 IP, 0 R, 0 K’s)

MVP:
Takahiro Suzuki – For giving the Giants the lead in the 7th, with an RBI single

WP: Norihito Kaneto (1-0)
LP: Bobby Murphy (0-1)
S: --

Nishinomiya Sports
May 2, 2013
We Lost It In The 7th.
– Takahiro Suzuki

Koshien Stadium, Nishinomiya, Hyōgo – No surprise. The Tigers lost to the Giants. Shocker. 9-3. Shocker. It seems as if the Tigers lose to the Giants almost everytime they play them. And now, the Tigers are only a half a game ahead of the Giants in the standings.

But, yesterday was bigger than just a loss. Rookie Bobby Murphy made his first appearance, and did decent, at best. The first pitch he ever delivered was nailed, but luckily right to Toritani for the out. The first hit he gave up was a single, to Ogasawara. His first strikeout, coming in the 3rd was against the homerun leader Kamei. And in the bottom of the 5th, Murphy got HIS first hit!

Also, Saito is continuing to flash his amazing glove, making two amazing diving catches in one inning. But, with the bat, he is still struggling, going 0-4 yesterday, bringing his average down to .222.

- Takaharu Sonada

Since I’ve lost the last, like, 100 games I’ve played, I’m going to lower the difficulty 1 level, but keep the lock-on the same, at 0.

Oh, and also, I’ve got another import card. Who shall I use it on?

Me too!

You JUST said you get out on the 15th of June. Labor Day is May 28th, so we get out on May 25th. WHOOOOOOOOO!(I think) I've never had school in June. EVAR!

Uh... Actually Labor Day is in September.
AND lucky! No school in June? Awesome.

Labor day? I thought that was in September.

Memorial Day. My bad.

May 8, 2013

Carp today, we have to win to regain first place!

Hanshin Tigers (22-12-2) - 7
Hiroshima Toyo Carp (14-21-1) - 1

Tigers:

Lineup:
1. Takashi Toritani – SS (0-4)
2. Riki Kawamoto – CF (0-4)
3. Kazuhiro Wada – LF (2-4, 2 HR [2, 3], 2 RBI [13, 14])
4. Kazuteru Tani – RF (3-4, 2B, HR [8], 1 RBI [34], CS)
5. Kiyoshi Abe – C (1-4, 2B, 1 RBI [22])
6. Ryo Katsuki - 1B (1-3, BB, SB, 2B, 1 RBI [23])
7. Tetsuji Katsuki - 3B (1-2, 1 RBI [22], CS, SAC)
8. Fumihiko Saito - 2B (2-2, SAC, 1 RBI [11])
9. PITCHER (0-3)

Pitcher(s):
Minoru Iwata (9 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 K’s)

Carp:

Lineup:
1. Akihiro Higashide - 2B (1-4)
2. Masato Akamatsu – CF (0-4)
3. Shinnosuke Abe – C (1-4, K, HR [10], 1 RBI [28])
4. Kenta Kurihara - 3B (1-4)
5. Makoto Kaneko – SS (1-4, DP)
6. Sohichiro Amaya - RF (1-3, K)
7. Justin Huber - 1B (0-3, K)
8. Jeff Fiorentino - LF (0-3, K)
9. PITCHER (1-2)
- Naoki Nakahigashi – PH (0-1)

Pitcher(s):
Eric Stults (5 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 K’s, 1 BB)
Ken Takahashi (0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 K’s)
Tomohiro Umetsu (2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 K’s)
Katsuhiro Nagakawa (1 IP, 0 R, 0 K’s)

MVP(s):
Minoru Iwata – Pitched a complete game, almost a shutout. Almost.
Kazuhiro Wada – For his solo homerun in the 1st, which gave the Tigers the lead

WP: Minoru Iwata (5-2)
LP: Eric Stults (1-3)
S: --

Nishinomiya Sports
May 9, 2013
One-Sided
– Minoru Iwata
– Kazuhiro Wada

Koshien Stadium, Nishinomiya, Hyōgo – After some struggling, the Tigers seem to have come out of their shells. Yesterday’s game was completely one sided, as Iwata was shutting the Carp down, he had a shutout going up until he had 1 out in the 9th. Shinnosuke Abe hit a solo homerun off of him, to make the score 7-1. Kurihara followed up with a single, but shortstop Kaneko then grounded into an inning (and game) ending double play.

There was plenty of good in this game. Wada and Tani hit back-to-back homeruns in the first inning, and almost did it again in the 3rd, Tani’s hit missed going over the fence by mere centimeters. In the 6th, Tani, Abe, and then Ryo hit 3 doubles in a row, 2 runs scored because of this, making the game a nice 7-0 (at the time). In the 7th, Toritani made an excellent diving catch to rob pinch hitter Nakahigashi of a hit.

The offense really came alive, which has been a problem lately. And the bullpen got a day of rest, a much needed day of rest, thanks to Iwata.

- Takaharu Sonada

May 10, 2013

When I checked my email, like I do every morning, I found one from Preston mentioning 3 players.

"Jack,

I've just stumbled upon some great players. 3 of them in fact, two of which already have some professional experience. All 3 of them have their strengths and weaknesses, sure. But I would love it if we could pick all three of them up. And, yes, I know that we can only get one now, and hope that the other two will be available for the draft...

Alright, so the first of the three is a relief pitcher. He's already had a little bit of experience in the pros, playing for the Giants 1st and 2nd string teams, bouncing between the two of them. His name is Ichiro Satozaki. Have you heard of him? Probably not, actually, he ran under the radar, reliving in only something like 8 games, and getting 2 saves in his stint in the majors. He sometimes has control problems, which would probably be his only major down side. He pitches very well with runners on (which is key for someone who comes in late in the game) and he has a nasty curve. It completely confuses right-handed batters, as it starts at their heads, and breaks down into the zone. Plus, he has this weird fastball. He trained with Mori Igari (which is who our star sophmore reliever, Yoshimi also trained with). Anyways, his fastball spins, it just spins but keeps a straight route. It makes it look as if it is going faster then it actually is. So, I think if we could fine tune his mechanics, he could potentially become our closer, or a set up guy.

Ichiro Satozaki
AGE, YEARS PRO, B/T, TOP SPD, CON, STAM, PITCHES
21, 1, R/R, 148 km/h (92 mph), D, D, Hard slider - 1, Drop curve - 4, Changeup - 1

Secondly, we have Japanese teen heartthrob, Tomochika Nakazawa. Now, I think I've mentioned him before, and you said that you wanted him. But I'll talk about him again, just encase. So, it's obvious this guy has fans. He always has people (mainly females) chasing him around. I'm not going to lie, he is a strapping young lad, and with his fanbase, and his talent he could make for an excellent addition! He could fill in that lead-off spot which we need so desperately. Wada's going to retire next year, I'm almost certain. So he could fill in for him. We'll have the youngest outfield in the NPB, for sure. One of the best, too. With him in left, Kawamoto in center, and good ol' Tani in right, nothing will drop!

Tomochika Nakazawa
AGE, YEARS PRO, POSITION, 2ND POSITION, B/T, TRJ, CON, POW, RUN, ARM, FLD, E RES
19, 0, OF, N/A, R/L, 3, C, C, A (15!), D, C, D

(He has 6 blue abilities, Cluth Hit 4, Vs. Lefty 5, baserunning 4, and he's a Star, pretty awesome.)

And last, but most certainly not least, is the catcher/outfielder Kyo Murata. I know you've been following him for a bit. He's great. Versatile, and good all around. I don't have much to say about him, other than that we used to have him, but we lost him to free agency, he now resides on the Dragons 2nd string team. I think he would be great for the team too, as he could provide some support for the outfield, and also could switch off with Abe, who's been catching pretty much every game for us lately.

Kyo Murata
AGE, YEARS PRO, POSITION, 2ND POSITION, B/T, TRJ, CON, POW, RUN, ARM, FLD, E RES
22, 1, C, OF, R/R, 3, C, B, C, A (15!), C, B

It's a tough decision, I know. But we can only pick one, and hope that another opportunity (or 2 opportunities, that would be the best possible outcome) arises to get the others.

What do you think? My choice is, __________ by the way.

Regards,
Preston F. Greene"

Tough decision indeed.

I forwarded the email to Todd, Mark, Bryan, and Ryan to see what they would say.
----------------------------------------------------

So, what do you guys think? Who should we pick up?

If we go with 1 player only, take Murata.
If we can get 2 players, take Murata and Nakazawa.