Western League Game: Chunichi Dragons v Hiroshima Carp (Game 1) (Farm) March 22nd

First game this round against the Carp and it was a 3-1 win to the Dragons with some, who you would expect will be, first team regulars getting some more game time with the NPB season about to start.

Morino, Wakamatsu, Fukuda and Viciedo who are in or on the fringes of the opening day roster had hit outs with varying success.

Wakamatsu started and threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings with one hit off his pitching. Muto, Achira, Sobue also all went scoreless with closer and development player Mitsuma getting the save despite conceding one.

Viciedo had 1 hit and a walk out of his 3 at-bats while Fukuda picked up an RBI from a sacrifice fly. The pressure is on Masahiko Morino to perform though as he only picked up a walk from his 3 times at the plate. Morino can play first or third base, but the development of Shuhei Takahashi and the signings of Viciedo (who has been playing first in most of the pre-season match-ups) might mean he'll have to settle for either a bench role or more time in the farm team for the time being.

Best performance for an outfield player this game was from Yusuke Matsui who has been with the farm team since the beginning of Spring training. Matsui scored twice and hit 3 in a very productive game for the in and out outfielder.

A good start for the second team and a good start for new manager Michihiro Ogasawara. A lot of positives to take away from the game.

In other news, a house caught fire during the game and billows of smoke could be seen during play. Shunta Wakamatsu's reaction: "Is that so? I didn't even notice."