Hanshin Tigers Draw With Giants, Move Closer to Title
Listen to the story
The Hanshin Tigers and the Yomiuri Giants played a tense baseball game that ended in a draw after 12 innings. Neither team could score the winning run.
The Giants had been leading late in the game. However, in the bottom of the ninth inning, Hanshin's Yusuke Oyama hit a dramatic clutch hit that tied the score.
The hit came against the Giants' closer, a pitcher named Raidel, who usually finishes games to protect a lead. This time, he allowed Hanshin to catch up.
The Giants had hoped for a comeback win that would help their chances of a miracle pennant race. Sports Hochi called it a 'miracle comeback,' showing how important the win would have been for them.
Because the game ended in a draw, the result still favored Hanshin. Their magic number for winning the league title dropped to two.
A magic number shows how many more wins, or combinations of wins and losses by other teams, a team needs to clinch the championship. With Hanshin's magic number now at two, they are very close to becoming champions.
The match was described as a tough, fighting battle that went into extra innings, showing how competitive both teams were. Fans will now be watching closely to see when Hanshin can officially secure the title.
Vocabulary6 words
- draw
- a game result where neither team wins
- innings
- parts of a baseball game when each team bats
- clutch
- performing well at an important moment
- closer
- a pitcher who finishes games to protect a win
- pennant
- the prize given to the team that wins a baseball league
- magic number
- a number showing how close a team is to winning a title
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Quiz
Answer key
1. A 12-inning draw 2. Hanshin's Oyama tied the game with a hit 3. They are close to winning the championship
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The Hanshin Tigers and the Yomiuri Giants played a tense baseball game that ended in a _____ after 12 innings.
The Giants had been leading late in the game. However, in the bottom of the ninth inning, Hanshin's Yusuke Oyama hit a dramatic _____ hit that tied the score.
The hit came against the Giants' _____, a pitcher named Raidel, who usually finishes games to protect a lead.
The Giants had hoped for a comeback win that would help their chances of a miracle _____ race.
Because the game ended in a draw, the result still favored Hanshin. Their magic _____ for winning the league title dropped to two.
A magic number shows how many more wins a team needs to _____ the championship.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think a draw can still be a good result for one team in a league race?
- Have you ever watched a sports match that went into extra time or extra innings? How did it feel?
- What makes a 'clutch' moment exciting in sports?
- Do you think close competitions like this make fans enjoy the sport more? Why or why not?
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