By Saruwatari Tsuyoshi, Kyoto Shimbun News

September 15, 2013: Fukuoka, Japan – This week, Koshien Stadium attendance passed the two million mark.  In a special ceremony before the game, the Battousai presented the two millionth fan, Yushi Aida, with a commemorative jersey signed by all the players and front row seats for the post-season.  The club released a statement: “We’ve been very honored by your loyalty and have worked hard to earn it.  We will continue to work to earn your support and make Edo the best baseball club it can be!”

With starting catcher Kenko Nakamura still on the mend (HBP; fractured arm), the backups have been the yin and yang of performance.  Masutaro Yoshikawa has posted a .095 AVG over the last 23 games, while battery mate Seiichi Okamoto has posted .400 AVG and 3 HR over the last five games.  Kenko is on track to be back in two weeks.

Edo’s glimmer twins, LF Morihiro Nakamura and RF Shimpei Adachi, have been heating up as fall settles in.  Nakamura is at .433 AVG and 5 HR over the last seven games, while Adachi has a .426 AVG and 5 HR over a 12-game span.  The Adachi contract situation is beginning to garner some attention.  Edo has been strangely silent about retaining Adachi’s services.  Fans will recall that he was a surprise signing this spring, and his performance has been stellar.  The silence is deafening.  Rumor has it that something is in the works and it’s just a matter of “when” the shoe drops rather than “if”.  Stay tuned…

The pitching staff continues to dominate the league.  Yesterday it was Manabu Tsuchiya’s time to shine.  He shut out the Celestial Warriors 6-0, holding them to just two hits while striking out eight, with only two walks.  Tsuchiya is 7-1 with a 1.47 ERA over the last nine games.

Looking forward, injured 1B “Wheels” Chien (ankle fracture) is on course for a return the week before the playoffs.  He feels pretty confident he’ll be able to get right back up to game speed in time to have an impact.  He’s beginning to be a regular again at the training facility.