Chunichi, Yomiuri, Hanshin, Hiroshima: August 3, 2012
by Gen on Aug.03, 2012 @ 4:48 pm, under NPB
Chunichi Dragons
The Dragons will rely on the trio of Jorge Sosa, Daisuke Yamai, and Shinji Tajima to fill in for Hitoki Iwase. Source: Sports Hochi 8/3/2012
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Morimichi Takagi is apparently not happy with out Hitoki Iwase was handled and said to reporters on Thursday, "We are dealing with living people so it is our job to use them based on their conditions. Our job is to figure that out. This is what happens when you go with patterns. This is the manager and coaches responsibility. ... I saw the headline 'Iwase, again' in the papers today. We can not allow [the closer] to experience 'again' type situations. That is what is wrong."
And pitching coach Hiroshi Gondo said, "That puts even more pressure on Iwase. Maybe this manager is not..."
Source: Daily Sports 8/3/2012
Yomiuri Giants
The Giants dropped their series against Chunichi on Thursday, their first losing series since April 20-22 (vs Yakult). The team was just one series away from tying the franchise record of twenty-nine consecutive series without a losing series, set in 1966 (between May and August). Source: Sponichi 8/3/2012
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Tetsuya Yamaguchi took the loss on Thursday night and became the first Yomiuri reliever to record a loss since since Satoshi Fukuda on April 22 (vs Yakult). Source: Sponichi 8/3/2012
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The Giants will be holding tryouts at Giants Stadium on September 22. Please see the official team site for more information and general requirements.
Hanshin Tigers
Craig Brazell was sent down to Ni-gun today for more playing time and to regain his swing -- he has been not made the starting line-up over the last sixteen consecutive games. Source: Nikkan Sports 8/3/2012, Daily Sports 8/3/2012
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Yutaka Wada wants Matt Murton charge the ball more on defense. Source: Sports Hochi Osaka 8/2/2012
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Wada would like Kaori Matsumoto (Judo, Olympic Gold Medalist) to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Source: Sports Hochi Osaka 8/2/2012
Hiroshima Carp
The TAU shop in Ginza will be hosting an event for Hiroshima Carp fans on August 5, beginning at 5:30pm. They will also be hosting an event for Sanfrecce Hiroshima fans on August 18. Source: Daily Sports 8/3/2012
How bad did Iwase pitch to get demoted? Decision seems somehow severe as he is an anchor of Chunichi…
He actually asked to be sent down.
Oh really, thanks for the response
Kind of a weird situation, I doubt Iwase would have asked for the demotion if they hadn’t used Sosa in the closer role recently. I don’t think it’s a big deal, closers go through slumps. Funny thing is how long Asao was knocking on the door to be the closer, and now that he’s gone for the moment an opportunity comes up. They do have a lot of options, which is good, but they need to figure out who the set closer will be prior to the playoffs.