News
Dragons Defeat Fighters in Japan Series
Jiwon Bang
11/05/07
Game 5 of the Japan Series was held in the Nagoya Dome on Nov. 1st, as the Chunichi Dragons defeated the Nippon Ham Fighters, 1-0. The victory was the Dragons' fourth consecutive win, and it secured Chunichi's first Championship in 53 years.
Dragons starter Daisuke Yamai threw a perfect game through eight innings, and closer Hitoki Iwase did not allow a runner in the 9th inning to finish the game. The MVP was handed to a former Los Angeles Dodger Norihiro Nakamura, who racked up a series of clutch hits throughout the series.
2006 HWB alumnus Takehiro Donoue pinch hit twice during the series, and went 0-2. Donoue, who played for North Shore Honu last year, participated in 37 Major League regular-season games in Japan, posting a .282 average with two home runs, including a walk-off blast against the Yomiuri Giants on Aug. 11th.
The Dragons advance to compete against chamionship teams from South Korea, Taiwan and China for the Asian Series title, which will get underway on Nov. 8 at the Tokyo Dome.
Game 1, Oct. 27: Nippon Ham 3 - 1 Chunichi; [W]Darvish [L]Kawakami
Game 2, Oct. 28: Nippon Ham 1 - 8 Chunichi; [W]Nakata [L]Glynn
Game 3, Oct. 30: Chunichi 9 - 1 Nippon Ham; [W]Asakura [L]Takeda
Game 4, Oct. 31: Chunichi 4 - 2 Nippon Ham; [W]Suzuki [L]Yoshikawa
Game 5, Nov. 1: Chunichi 1 - 0 Nippon Ham; [W]Yamai [L]Darvish
