POST 2006 PRO BASEBALL SEASON

5.11 million dollars for Matsuzaka
It was learned on Nov 15, that the Boston Red Sox had won the right to talk to the Seibu Lions Daisuke Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka left for the U.S. on the day for negotiations.

Konami Cup Asian Series
Final:Nippon Ham Fighters vs La New Bears on Nov 12
Yu Darvish started for the Fighters. He pitched well, and so the his opponent. It was in the 7th inning, Shinya Tsuruoka had a lucky hit, earning him an RBI. With that the Fighters won 1 to 0, and became the Asian champions.

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters vs China Stars on Nov 11
The Fighters starting pitcher was Satoru Kanemura. In the first inning, Akinori Inaba hit for the Fighters first RBI. In the 3rd inning, Shinji Takahashi slammed a 2 run home run. The Chinese side homered in the 9th inning. The game ended 6 to 1 for the Fighters.

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters vs La New Bears on Nov 10
The Taiwan team was the first to bat in a run. It's with a home run. But in the 9th inning, with bases loaded, the Fighters came home on a fielder's choice. Michihiro Ogasawara's sacrifice fly gave his team a 2 to 1 win. With this victory, the Fighters advanced to the final.

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters vs Samsung Lions on Nov 9
It's the 2nd time a club team championship takes place between 4 champions from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and mainland China. The Fighters Atsunori Inaba slammed a home run in the 4th inning. Samsung equalized. But Inaba hit in a run again. And the Fighters scored more. The Fighters won 7 to 1.

Nishi out from the Giants, Tani joins the Giants
It was announced on Nov 6 that Toshihisa Nishi is leaving the Giants, and joining the BayStars. Then the next day, the Buffaloes Yoshitomo Tani said he's joining the Giants. Tani has won a number of titles, including the Golden Glove, was steal king etc. Tani said he was happy as he's been a long time fan of current skipper Tatsunori Hara.

MLB all stars in Japan
* Nov 8
Tsuyoshi Wada started at his homeground, Fukuoka Dome. He pitched well in 4 innings. And his teammates followed up. Takahiro Arai of the Carp homered. And so did Shuichi Murata of the BayStars. But the Seattle Mariners Kenji Johjima hit in a run. The Phillies Ryan Howard had a equalizing RBI. In the 10th inning, Jose Reyes ended the game with a 2 run home run. The MLB won 5 to 3 and clinched all games in the series.

* Nov 7
This game was held at the Kyocera Osaka Dome. The starting pitcher for Japan was the Tigers Kei Igawa who wishes to play in the MLB. He walked 6, but was able stay put for 6 innings, giving up just 2 runs. In the 8th inning, with the game a tie, it was the Phillies Ryan Howard again. He homered to give his team a lead. In the end MLB won 7 to 2.

* Nov 5
The Japanese side equalized with the MLB on the top of the 6th inning. But the Braves Andruw Jones slammed a 2 run home run. This time, the Phillies Ryan Howard had a 3 run homerun. MLB beat Japan 11 to 4.

* Nov 4
Philadelphia Phillies Ryan Howard was awesome. He homered twice off Japan's starter, Kentaro Nishimura of the Giants at the Tokyo Dome. Chicago White Sox Tadahito Iguchi hit in 2 runners. The MLB side won again 8 to 4.

* Nov 3
To open the game between selected MLB players and Japanese players, new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hurled a ceremonial pitch. The White Sox Jermaine Dye blasted a 2 run home run. The Fighters Michihiro Ogasawara hit in an RBI. But it wasn't enough. The MLB team defeated Japan 3 to 2.

* Nov 2
It was a game at the Tokyo Dome between the Yomiuri Giants and the MLB All Stars. The Giants starting pitcher was Taiwanese Chan Chen-min. It was a exciting match. The Atlanta Braves Andruw Jones slammed 2 homers. The Giants catcher Shinnosuke Abe blasted a 2 run home run. But the Mets David Wright rescued the MLB with his 2 run homer in the 9th inning, to finish the game 7 to 7. Japanese represented in the MLB were Kenji Johjima of the Seattle Mariners and Tadahito Iguchi of the Chicago White Sox.Iguchi failed to contribute with the bat. But Johjima had a 2 base hit.



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