Ichi-gun Carp closed out spring camp in Nichinan today.  The team has the day off Friday and will get back to work on Saturday in Okinawa.

Source: Sponichi 2/21/2013

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Miguel Socolovich felt tightness in his left calf during practices on Wednesday and was sent down to San-gun today for rehab.

Kam Mickolio is also working out separately from the main group -- he felt tightness in his lower back on Wednesday.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/21/2013

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Hideo Nomo visited Nichinan camp on Wednesday.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/21/2013

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The following players will head to Okinawa for five games:

Pitchers (13)
Yuya Fukui, Katsuhiro Nagakawa, Kyohei Nakamura, Yuki Iwami, Hirotaka Egusa, Masaya Kanemaru, Ren Nakata, Tomohiro Umetsu, Bryan Bullington, Takaya Toda, Shota Nakazaki, Keisuke Imai, Yuichi Hisamoto

Catchers (2)
Yuta Shirahama, Yoshitaka Isomura

Infielders (7)
Kenta Kurihara, Shota Dobayashi, Ryosuke Kikuchi, Takaaki Matsumoto, Brad Eldred, Tomohiro Abe, Shogo Kimura

Outfielders (9)
Naoki Nakahigashi, Takahiro Iwamoto, 4th round draft pick Ko Shimozuru, Ryuhei Matsuyama, Masato Akamatsu, Fred Lewis, Yuichiro Mukae, Masamitsu Suzuki, Yoshihiro Maru

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/21/2013

========== Practice Games ==========

Chiba Lotte Marines 4 - Hanshin Tigers 2

Hanshin

• The offense scored two runs on five hits over the first three innings and was then held hitless over the remaining six.
• Jason Standridge started the game and tossed two shutout innings.  He gave up two hits (one each inning) and struck out one.  He topped out at 143km/h.
• Randy Messenger relieved Standridge and did not allow a run over two innings.  He surrendered one hit and topped out at 149km/h.
• Daiki Enokida gave up four runs on six hits over three innings of work.  All four runs scored in his third inning of work.  He topped out at 142km/h.
• Naoto Tsuru entered the game in the 8th and retired six in a row.
• Hiroki Uemoto started at short and batted first.  He went 1-for-4.  He shifted to second in the 4th inning.
• Yamato started in center and batted second.  He hit a double to left-center in the 1st inning.
• Tsuyoshi Nishioka started at second and batted third.  He went 2-for-2 (two singles to left).
• Kosuke Fukudome started in right and batted fifth.  He grounded out to the pitcher with runners on first and third and two out in the 1st inning and hit a two-run single to left off Yuta Kimura with the bases loaded and two out in the 3rd inning.
• Nishoka and Fukudome were taken out of the game after three innings.
• Akihito Fujii threw out Yoshifumi Okada trying to steal second in the 3rd inning.

Lotte

• The offense banged out five consecutive hits in the 3rd inning to score two runs.  The five players: Saburo, Shoitsu Omatsu, Masahiko Tanaka, Kei Hosoya, and Ikuhiro Kiyota.
• Yuta Kimura started the game and gave up two runs on five hits over three innings of work.  He also struck out one and hit one.  He did not allow a run until he gave up a bases loaded, two-run single to Kosuke Fukudome with two out in the 3rd inning.
• Kazunari Abe, Ryoji Katsuki, and Yasutaka Hattori did not allow any runs or hits from the 4th inning on.
• 4th round draft pick Shohei Kato started in center and batted lead-off.  He went 0-for-4.

Source: Sponichi 2/21/2013, Sponichi 2/21/2013, Sponichi 2/21/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/21/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/21/2013, Sanspo 2/21/2013, Daily Sports 2/21/2013, Daily Sports 2/21/2013, Daily Sports 2/21/2013, Sponichi 2/22/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/22/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/22/2013, Sanspo 2/22/2013, Sanspo 2/22/2013, Sanspo 2/22/2013, Sanspo 2/22/2013, Sanspo 2/22/2013, Daily Sports 2/22/2013

===

Yakult Swallows 3 - Yomiuri Giants 0

Yakult

• 1st round draft pick Taichi Ishiyama did not allow a run over two shutout innings.  He gave up two hits, walked two, and struck out two.  He threw a total forty-two pitches.
• Kentaro Kyuko (2 IP, 2 H, 1 SO, 0 R), Taiyo Fujita (2 IP, 1 H, 1 SO, 0 R), and Tatsuyoshi Masubuchi (2 IP, 2 H, 1 SO, 0 R) each threw two shutout innings.
• Akinori Iwamura was the starting DH and batted fourth.  He went 1-for-2 with an RBI: fly out to right in the 2nd inning, two-out solo home run off Kyosuke Takagi in the 4th, walk in the 6th, replaced by a pinch-hitter in the 8th.
• Yasushi Iihara started in left and batted fifth.  He went 2-for-3.

Yomiuri

• Dennis Houlton started the game and tossed two shutout innings while allowing one hit.
• Kyosuke Takagi relieved Houlton and gave up a run on one hit over two innings of work.
• Kentaro Nishimura entered the game in the 8th inning and retired six straight batters.
• Taishi Ota started in center and batted first.  He went 2-for-3: single to center, single to left.

Source: official report (Yakult), Sponichi 2/21/2013, Sponichi 2/21/2013, Sponichi 2/21/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/21/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/21/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/21/2013, Sanspo 2/21/2013, Sanspo 2/21/2013, Sponichi 2/22/2013, Sanspo 2/22/2013

===

Nexen (KBO) 2 - Nippon Ham Fighters 4

• Toshiharu Moriuchi started the game and tossed three shutout innings.  He did not allow any hits but did hit a batter.  He faced nine batters and struck out three.
• Hisashi Takeda (9th inning) and Hirotoshi Masui (8th) each tossed perfect innings in relief.  Takeda tossed the 9th inning and struck out two.  He needed only eleven pitches to get through the inning.  Masui topped out at 149km/h.
• Naoki Miyanishi entered the game in the 6th and recorded two strikeouts.
• Yuya Ishii surrendered a solo home run to the lead-off batter in the 7th.  He also struck out three.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/21/2013, Sanspo 2/21/2013, Sponichi 2/22/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/22/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/22/2013

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KIA (KBO) 5 - Rakuten Eagles 3

• Takahiro Shiomi started the game and gave up five runs on seven hits over three innings of work.  All five runs scored in the 3rd inning.
• Brandon Duckworth relieved Shiomi and tossed three shutout innings while allowing two hits.
• Andruw Jones was the starting DH and batter fourth.  He went 0-for-2: G5, HBP, DP.
• Ginji started at second and batted fifth.  He went 3-for-4: 1B to center, 1B to left, 1B to left, G3.
• Casey McGehee started at third and batted sixth.  He went 0-for-2: DP, Ks.
• Tetsuro Nishida started at short and batted seventh.  He went 2-for-4: 2B to left, G6, F9, 1B to right.

Source: official report, Sponichi 2/21/2013, Sports Hochi 2/21/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/21/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/21/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/21/2013

========== Intra-squad Games ==========

Hiroshima Carp

• Game ended in a 2-2 tie.
• Masamitsu Suzuki started in right and batted eighth.  He hit a two-out, RBI triple to left-center of Kyohei Nakamura in the 2nd inning.
• 4th round draft pick Ko Shimozuru collected a hit and a stolen base.
• Brad Eldred batted fourth for the Whites and hit a run-scoring double off he wall in center in the 1st inning.
• Fred Lewis batted third for the Whites and hit a run-scoring double to left-center in the 6th.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/21/2013, Sponichi 2/22/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/22/2013

===

Softbank Hawks

• Whites beat the Reds, 4-1.
• Hayato Terahara started for the Reds and allowed three runs on four hits and four walks over three innings of work.  He threw sixty-three pitches.
• Vicente Padilla started for the Whites started the game and gave up a run (unearned) on two hits over two innings of work.  He topped out at 140km/h.  He also threw three slow curves -- one was clocked at 81km/h.  Padilla also had some difficulties on the mound: he failed to cover first on a grounder to the right side of the infield in the 1st inning; he may have ignored a pick-off play at second base in the 1st inning; and he was called for a balk in the 2nd with runners on first and third.
• 6th round draft pick Hirofumi Yamanaka tossed a shutout inning in relief for the Reds.  He did not allow any hits.
• Bryan LaHair hit a home run off Terahara to lead-off the 3rd inning.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/21/2013, Sports Hochi 2/21/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/21/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/22/2013, Sports Hochi 2/22/2013, Sports Hochi 2/22/2013

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Kam Mickolio ended workouts early today after he felt tightness in his lower back during warm-ups.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/20/2013

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Eishin Soyogi was called up to Ichi-gun camp on Tuesday.  He spent about an hour swinging the bat 213 swings during extra batting practice on Tuesday.  He also stood in the batter's box during Shota Nakazaki's bullpen session and took fielding practice at both short and second.

Soyogi has been taking things slow since he had right knee surgery in October 2012.

Source: Sponichi 2/20/2013

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The Hiroshima Oyster Growers Association presented Kenjiro Nomura and the Carp with twenty kilograms of raw oysters and 100 oysters with shells.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/19/2013

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Sachio Kinugasa visited Nichinan camp today.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/19/2013

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Eishin Soyogi was called up to Ichi-gun camp today.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/19/2013

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Yusuke Nomura will likely start an exhibition game on either March 2 or 3 (vs Chunichi at Nagoya Dome).

Source: Sponichi 2/19/2013

===

There is a good chance spring camp next year will begin in Nichinan, Miyazaki and end in Okinawa (instead of the other way around).  The new Okinawa Stadium is scheduled to be complete before the end of the year, but the facilities may not be ready in time for early workouts in mid-January next year.  In order to play it safe, the Carp may shift Nichinan camp ahead of Okinawa camp.

The switch may ultimately end up being a good thing since it will allow coaches to check on Ni-gun talent during the first half of camp (something they were able to do this year since both camps are working out in Miyazaki).

Source: Sports Hochi 2/19/2013

===

Ichi-gun and Ni-gun camp had the day off today.

====

Tomohiro Umetsu worked out on his day off today in preparation for Tuesday's intra-squad game.  He tested his sinker while playing catch with Takeshi Komatsu in the bullpen.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/18/2013

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Bryan Bullington is ok with getting the opening day start if Kenta Maeda cannot make it.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/17/2013

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Kenta Kurihara will likely sit out Sunday's game because of his back.  He is scheduled to travel with the team on a road trip to Okinawa that begins on the 21st.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/16/2013

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Fred Lewis is scheduled to play in Sunday's practice game against Samurai Japan.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/16/2013

Hiroshima prefectural governor Hidehiko Yuzaki and Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui visited Nichinan camp today.

Workouts ended early today because of the rain.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/15/2013

===

Kenta Kurihara was assigned to San-gun camp because of tightness in his lower back.  His condition does not appear to be serious, but the Carp are playing it safe because he had back surgery in August 2006.

Source: Sponichi 2/15/2013

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Valentine's Day: Shota Dobayashi received about 100 chocolates.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013

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Kenta Kurihara felt tightness in his lower back during warm-ups today and ended his day early.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013

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Jun Hirose was re-assigned to San-gun camp because of tightness in his back.  Hirose first started feeling the soreness during practices on Wednesday and ended his day a little early.  He will return to Ichi-gun camp once he can participate in regular workouts.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/14/2013

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Takeru Imamura had a fever on Tuesday and still managed to throw two bullpen sessions on Wednesday.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013

===

Shota Dobayashi will begin using a longer and heavier bat after batting coach Hiromasa Arai suggested the change.  Current bat: 33.5 inches, 890 grams.  New bat: 34 inches, 910 grams.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/14/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013

========== Practice Games ==========

Lotte (KBO) vs Seibu Lions

• The Lions beat Lotte, 3-1.
• The Lions scored all three runs in the bottom of the 1st.
• Yusei Kikuchi started the game and tossed three perfect inning.  He also topped out at 149km/h and struck out five.
• Ryoma Nogami relieved Kikuchi and tossed three shutout innings in relief.  He also struck out four.
• Dennis Sarfate retired the side in order in the top of the 9th.

Source: official report, Sports Hochi 2/14/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013

===

KIA (KBO) vs Nippon Ham Fighters

• Nippon Ham beat KIA, 3-2.
• The offense collected thirteen hits.
• Toshiharu Moriuchi started the game and gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits over two innings of work.  He also struck out one.
• Kazuhito Tadano followed with two shutout innings of work.
• Kenshi Sugiya started in center and batted second.  He went 3-for-5.
• Atsushi Ugumori started in left and batted third.  He went 2-for-3.
• Michel Abreu (tryout) was the starting DH and batted fourth.  He went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
• Keiji Obiki hit a two-out, tie-breaking solo homer to left in the 8th inning.  He also hit into a pinch-hit, bases loaded, inning ending double-play in the 6th.

Source: official report, Daily Sports 2/14/2013, Sports Hochi 2/14/2013, Sanspo 2/14/2013

========== Intra-squad Games ==========

Hiroshima Carp

• Reds beat the Whites, 3-1.
• Kenta Maeda started the game for the Whites and tossed two shutout innings while allowing one hit.  He topped out at 137km/h.
• Takeru Imamura gave up a run on one hit over an inning of work.  He topped out at 140km/h.
• Miguel Socolovich entered the game int he 4th for the Reds and allowed two hits in one inning of work.  He also topped out at 147km/h.
• 4th Ko Shimozuru started in right and batted eighth for the Reds.  He went 3-for-3: single to center in the 2nd off Takeru Imamura, single to left in the 5th off Katsuhiro Nagakawa, and a double to left-center in the 7th off Takayuki Oshima.  He also stole two bases.
• Fred Lewis was the starting DH and batted third for the Reds.  He hit a single to right off Katsuhiro Nagakawa in the 4th and a single to right off Takayuki Oshima in the 6th.

Source: official report, Sponichi 2/14/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013, Sponichi 2/15/2013, Sponichi 2/15/2013, Sports Hochi 2/15/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013

===

Yomiuri Giants

• Reds beat the Whites, 5-1.
• Both teams combined for sixteen hits.
• Ryuya Matsumoto started for the Reds and tossed two shutout innings.  He walked Taishi Ota to start the game and picked him off before striking out Tetsuya Matsumoto and Ko Takahashi.  He retired the side in order in the 2nd.  Matsumoto threw a total twenty-seven pitches.
• Shoki Kasahara
• Nobutaka Imamura tossed two shutout innings in relief for the Whites.
• 2nd round draft pick Susumu Orui started at short and batted lead-off for the Reds.  He collected two hits, scored two runs, and stole one base.
• Ryota Wakiya collected two hits, two RBIs, and stole two bases.
• Shigeyuki Furuki went 3-for-3.  Tomoya Inzen had three hits and two RBI.
• Yoshinobu Takahashi was the starting DH and batted third for the Whites.  He hit a home run off Keisuke Kishi in the 7th inning.  He struck out in his first at bat and flied out to short in his second at bat.

Source: Sponichi 2/14/2013, Sponichi 2/14/2013, Sponichi 2/14/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013, Sanspo 2/14/2013, Daily Sports 2/15/2013

===

Orix Buffaloes

• Reds blanked the Whites, 1-0.
• Shun Tono started for the Reds.  He tossed two shutout innings while allow two hits.  He topped out at 139km/h and threw twenty-four pitches.
• Yuki Nishi started for the Whites.
• Mitsutaka Goto started at second and batted second for the Reds.
• 3rd round draft pick Torai Fushimi was the starting catcher and batted ninth.  He threw out two runners trying to steal second: Ryoichi Adachi in the 1st inning and Takuya Shimada in the 3rd.
• Takahiro Okada hit a solo home run to right off Yuki Nishi in the 2nd inning.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013, Sponichi 2/15/2013, Sponichi 2/15/2013, Sports Hochi 2/15/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/15/2013, Sanspo 2/15/2013

===

Softbank Hawks

• Reds beat the Whites, 2-1.  (Seven innings)
• Shota Takeda started for the Reds and tossed two shutout innings while allowing one hit.  He topped out at 145km/h.
• 1st round draft pick Nao Higashihama started for the Whites and tossed two shutout innings while allowing one hit.  He also walked two, struck out two, threw forty-one pitches, and topped out at 137km/h.
• 6th round draft pick Hirofumi Yamanaka entered the game in the 6th inning for the Whites and tossed two perfect innings.  He threw twenty pitches and topped out at 121km/h.
• Bryan LaHair started at first and batted fourth for the Whites.
• Katsuki Yamazaki (Reds) and Keisuke Kaneko (Whites) each went 2-for-2.

Source: official report, Nikkan Sports 2/13/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/14/2013, Sports Hochi 2/14/2013, Sponichi 2/15/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/15/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/15/2013, Nikkan Sports 12/5/2013