April 16th, 2008: Beijing Red Dragons at Tokyo

Today's game of the day features two teams that have already been previewed. Enjoy!

April 16^th, 2008

Beijing Red Dragons at Tokyo Giants

TOKYO – For the second straight day, the vaunted Tokyo offense failed to show up, as the Red Dragons outpaced the Giants, 8-5.

Beijing’s starting pitcher, Steve Rogers, went into the 9^th inning despite giving up 4 runs on 8 hits, two of them home runs. Rogers had good control all afternoon, striking out 8 and allowing but a single walk.

Rogers’ stuff fell apart in the bottom of the 9^th, as Roberto Clemente hit a one-out single. Gary Lavelle came in to pitch to one batter, giving up a Koji Akiyama single and adding fuel to the fire. Tug McGraw then came in. Tug gave up a single to Hiromitsu Ochiai that loaded the bases, got another out, and then uncharacteristically walked Shigeo Nagashima, forcing in a run. With the lead cut to 8-5 and powerful Oscar Charleston batting, it looked as if the Giants might have a chance. Nevertheless, McGraw buckled down, inducing Charleston to fly out to left.

Toby Harrah had another monster day for the Red Dragons, going 3-for-4 with three runs batted in and two home runs. Enos Slaughter’s 3-for-6 and Roger Bresnahan’s 2-for-3 rounded out the Beijing attack. Giants starter Juan Marichal couldn’t get out of the 5^th inning, giving up 4 runs in all on 102 pitches.

See boxscore here.

Today’s other games

Northeastern League

Beijing Mets 10, Seoul Blue Dragons 4 At Beijing, Three-Fingered Brown pitched eight strong innings of two-hit baseball. Seoul scored four times in the top of the ninth, but it wasn’t enough.

Nishinomiya Tigers 4, Harbin Icecaps 2 At Harbin, Tigers starter Hideo Fujimoto won a pitching duel with Icecap pitcher Jim Palmer, despite Palmer’s strong 9-strikeout showing.

Shenyang Defenders 9, Tianjin Lions 6 At Shenyang, Cool Papa Bell, Todd Helton and Johnny Romano led the Shenyang attack with 10 combined hits.

Southeastern League

Hangzhou Eagles 8, Wenzhou Merchants 5 At Hangzhou, Ron Gant went 4-for-4 and accounted personally for half of the Eagles’ runs.

Hefei Hope Stars 6, Ningbo Stallions 2 At Hefei, Pascual Perez was brilliant, allowing only two runs on five hits through 7 innings, as Hefei defeated the Stallions.

Shanghai Red Sox 2, Nanjing Monarchs 0 At Shanghai, Dave Stieb pitched 8 2/3 innings, giving up only 3 hits and keeping Nanjing’s speedsters off the basepaths. Walter Johnson had 9 strikeouts in a complete game losing cause.

Suzhou Artisans 5, Shanghai White Sox 2 At Suzhou, Frank Chance had another big day, going 3-for-5 in Suzhou’s second win of the season.

Northwestern League

Jinan Leopards 2, Taiyuan Kylin 1 At Jinan, starter Mort Cooper combined with a strong bullpen performance to outlast Taiyuan’s strong pitching. Taiyuan star second baseman Sigeru Chiba was injured in the top of the 5^th inning, and will miss 10 days of action.

Luoyang White Horse 6, Urumqi Flying Tigers 5 (10) At Urumqi, Steve Farr blew a save in the bottom of the 9^th inning on a late Urumqi rally. Dobie Moore, however, saved the game for the White Horse with a home run in the top of the 10^th.

Wuhan Turtles 6, Lanzhou Refiners 4 At Wuhan, Addie Joss pitched 8 strong innings and Mark McGwire homered in Wuhan’s victory. Lanzhou starter Bob Feller was injured in the bottom of the 6^th inning and will miss 11 days.

Zhengzhou Dragons 3, Xi’an Wild Geese 0 At Zhengzhou, Kid Nichols went 8 2/3 innings before losing his control as the Dragons shut down Xi’an’s offense on three hits.

Southwestern League

Guangzhou Fire 3, Chongqing Fog 2 (11) At Chongqing, Edgar Martinez’ big home run in the top of the 11^th inning proved the difference in a tight pitcher’s duel.

Fuzhou Whales 5, Chengdu Spice 1 At Fuzhou, Wes Ferrell pitched brilliantly for Fuzhou, allowing only one run on four hits in seven innings.

Lhasa Monks 18, Xianggang Reds 10 At Lhasa, both teams scored heavily, as the Monks overcame a Xianggang 3-run first inning barrage to score 13 runs in the first three frames. Lhasa plays in a version of Coors Field, which may explain the scoring.

Yunnan Bulls 2, Taibei Brother Elephants 1 At Yunnan, Larry Jackson was brilliant through 8 innings, as the Bulls edged out a tightly fought game at home.