Wladimir Balentien ejected
Nederlands
TOKYO (Japan) -
Wladimir Balentien has been ejected from the game the Yakult Swallows played today (Tuesday, September 24) against the Yomiuri Giants.
The Swallows won the game, 10-3.
Last Sunday, the Giants captured the title in the Central League for the second year in a row and 35th time overall.
In his first at bat in the first inning, Balentien grounded out and he did grounded into a double play in the third at bat.
In the fifth inning, Balentien singled and scored a run.
Then, in the seventh inning, Balentien was called out on strikes.
The outfielder fiercely argued with the Home Plate Umpire and was then ejected.
Last Wednesday, Balentien hit his 58th homerun of the season, but in the following five games, he had a tough time at the plate.
He batted only 2-for-17 and struckout nine times.
Seven of these strikeouts were swinging.
On September 15, Balentien broke the all-time, single-season homerun-record in Japanese professional baseball by hitting his 56th homerun.
With eleven games left in the regular season, it is predicted that Balentien might end the season with 63 homeruns.
Yakult Swallows is currently in sixth and last place of the Central League with a 53-77-3 record.
It wasn't a good evening for Dutch players in Japan today, as Andruw Jones struckout four times in the game of Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles against Saitama Seibu Lions.
The Golden Eagles, who have the title of Pacific League in sight, lost the game 4-3.
On Monday, Jones struckout twice in a 5-0 win vs. Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.
(September 24)
|