The team that was expected to win a month ago was in fourth place, humiliated by 20 losses in 25 games in September, and why did Hiroshima fall all-time

Sep 30, 2024

The team that was expected to win a month ago was in fourth place, humiliated by 20 losses in 25 games in September, and why did Hiroshima fall all-time
Hiroshima lost 20 games in 25 games held in September. He recorded the highest monthly loss in the Central League. Coach Arai slept on the field with a gloomy face after the game. Photo capture = Hiroshima Carp SNS



The team that was expected to win a month ago was in fourth place, humiliated by 20 losses in 25 games in September, and why did Hiroshima fall all-time
Hiroshima, which had been in first place until Sept. 1, fell sharply. It went 5-20 in September and dropped to fourth place. Photo capture = Hiroshima Carp SNS
The team that was expected to win a month ago was in fourth place, humiliated by 20 losses in 25 games in September, and why did Hiroshima fall all-time
Hiroshima right-hander Morishita lost five games in September. Hiroshima, which boasted the strongest starting lineup, crashed in September when the starting lineup was shaken. Photo capture = Hiroshima Carp SNS
The team that was looking to win fell to fourth place in a month. He fell repeatedly in the fall and recorded the most monthly losses. Hiroshima Carp ended September with a 5-20 record. Coach Takahiro Arai (47) in his second year, the team that was aiming for the top suddenly fell to the floor and became irreparable.

What the hell happened.

Hiroshima Mazda Stadium, Sept. 1. With a 5-1 complete victory over Yakult Swallows, no one would have expected the situation now. In the game, starting pitcher Shogo Tamamura pitched eight innings of one run, and the batters scored five runs by concentrating seven hits, including a home run. Hiroshima, which boasts a solid history, played like Hiroshima. It won two consecutive games against Yakult.



62 wins, 5 draws and 48 losses through Sept. 1. It was No. 1 in the Central League. At that time, there was talk of Japan Series as well as winning the league.

Three consecutive games against the Yokohama BayStars. I was swept in shock. He was shaken as he lost four consecutive games.

But it was not a temporary disturbance. He broke his losing streak, lost six in a row, lost again, and lost four in a row. After that, he won one game and lost four consecutive games.



If you manage to overcome the long wave, another powerful wave will come.

The sweep loss of the three consecutive home games from the 10th to the 12th against the Yomiuri Giants, who were competing for first place, became a fatal hit. They were completely defeated 1-6, 2-9, and 0-5.



The winning margin disappeared after losing to Yakult on the 26th. Since mid-May, the 50% win rate has collapsed. As of September 30, 66 wins, 5 draws and 68 losses, a winning rate of 493. He is in fourth place, 1.5 games behind Yokohama in third place.

There are four games left.

The Japanese professional baseball team will play in the Climax Series, the postseason, up to third place. The Yomiuri Giants reached the top of the league for the first time in four years while Hiroshima went down to the floor. The Hanshin Tigers are definitely in second place.

The nightmare followed until the last game in September.

The team that was expected to win a month ago was in fourth place, humiliated by 20 losses in 25 games in September, and why did Hiroshima fall all-time
Hiroshima fell to fourth place as of the 30th, 1.5 games behind Yokohama. If they fail to rebound in the remaining four games, they will end the season with the B class. Photo capture = Hiroshima Carp SNS
Hiroshima suffered a 3-4 come-from-behind loss at home against the Chunichi Dragons on the 29th. At a time when a rebound was needed, he lost after a rough run. No. 3 Takayoshi Noma was caught twice by catcher checkers. One of these happened at third base. In addition, there was a situation where the runner overran from third base and was touch-out during the opponent's defense error.

Rookie Snehiro Hayato, who joined as a rookie this year, pitched six innings of two runs, but failed to lead to victory.

He gave up the first run in the top of the first inning and immediately fought back in the bottom of the first inning. The first batter, Shogo Akiyama, hit a double to left field, and Masaya Yano and Norma hit back-to-back hits to score two runs. This good trend did not continue until the end. Director Arai said, `It's the result of my inexperience. I will certainly reflect on myself and not forget it.'

A dissection of the fall seems necessary.

Hiroshima is the team on the mound. The strong selection made it possible to compete for first place. Starting pitchers such as Daichi Oseera, Aren Guri, Masato Morishita, and Hiroki Tokoda overwhelmed the opponent's lineup. However, these strongest starters collapsed at the same time. Morisita lost five games in September and Tokoda lost three games in three appearances. Oh Se-ra has lost three games without winning four games, and Guri has lost two consecutive games.

The meager aggression revealed its limits.

Team batting average of 239 - 51 homers. I'm last in the Central League. Team home runs are the fewest of the 12 teams in both leagues. Sakakura Shogo, who hit 11, is the only double-digit home run in the team
The team that was expected to win a month ago was in fourth place, humiliated by 20 losses in 25 games in September, and why did Hiroshima fall all-time
Last year, Arai's first year in office, Hiroshima ranked second. I was looking to win this year, but it suddenly collapsed in the second half of the season. Photo capture = Hiroshima Carp SNS
keep a record of. Hiroshima scored a total of 61 points in 25 games held in September. He averaged 2.44 points per game. It is an empty hit that has no choice but to put a lot of pressure on the mound.

Last year, the first year of Arai's appointment, Hiroshima ranked second after Hanshin.



huelva@sportschosun.com