The Chunichi Dragons were perfect.
Daisuke Yamai and Hitoki Iwase combined for the first perfect game in Japan Series history Thursday as the Dragons defeated Trey Hillman's Nippon Ham Fighters 1-0 to win the team's first title in 53 years.
Yamai, playing in his sixth professional season, struck out six over eight perfect innings and Iwase retired the final three batters in order in the ninth.
It was the first perfect game or no-hitter in the 57-year history of the Japan Series, Japan's version of the World Series.
Tyrone Woods scored the only run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Ryosuke Hirata in the second inning as the Dragons won the best-of-seven series in five games.
It was a disappointing end to five years in Japan for Hillman, who was hired as manager of the Kansas City Royals.
"I'm very disappointed that it's over," said Hillman. "You want the series to go on as long as it can go but we weren't able to take it back to our ballpark."
Norihiro Nakamura, who had four RBIs in five games, was named series MVP.
The Fighters were attempting to repeat as Japan Series champions. They defeated the Dragons in five games to win the 2006 title.
Nippon Ham pitcher Yu Darvish took the loss despite striking out 11 and giving up one run on five hits over seven innings.
After Iwase retired Eiichi Koyano on a grounder to end the game, the Fighters sat motionless in their dugout as Chunichi's players celebrated on the field before their home fans at Nagoya Dome.
Yamai was a surprise starter for Chunichi manager Hiromitsu Ochiai. Many expected ace Kenshin Kawakami to get the start instead.
Despite the loss, Hillman said he was grateful for his time in Japan as manager of the Fighters.
"This was a very rewarding experience for me," said Hillman. "I like to think I'm a better person because of the time I've spent in this society."
---Vocabulary---
Combine : 結合する（他）、継投策で抑える（野球で）
Retire : 引き下がる（自）、アウトにする（野球で）
In order : 順番に、調子よく
Score : 得点を取る（野球で）
Run : 得点（野球で）
Sacrifice fly : 犠牲フライ
Best-of-seven : 7試合制（4戦先勝）
Disappointing : 失望させる（形）、期待はずれの（形）
Disappoint : 落胆させる（他）、失望させる（他）
As long as : -の間は、-さえすれば
Name : -を命名する（他）
RBI : Run Batted In=打点
Attempt : 試みる
Take the loss : 負ける
Give up : 得点を許す（野球で）
Grounder : ゴロ（野球で）
Motionless : 静止して、じっとして
Celebrate : 祝杯を挙げる、浮かれ騒ぐ
Instead : 変わりに
Rewarding : 報いのある、実りのある
Reward : 褒美、報いる
Society ; 社会、クラブ
Daisuke Yamai and Hitoki Iwase combined for the first perfect game in Japan Series history Thursday as the Dragons defeated Trey Hillman's Nippon Ham Fighters 1-0 to win the team's first title in 53 years.
Yamai, playing in his sixth professional season, struck out six over eight perfect innings and Iwase retired the final three batters in order in the ninth.
It was the first perfect game or no-hitter in the 57-year history of the Japan Series, Japan's version of the World Series.
Tyrone Woods scored the only run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Ryosuke Hirata in the second inning as the Dragons won the best-of-seven series in five games.
It was a disappointing end to five years in Japan for Hillman, who was hired as manager of the Kansas City Royals.
"I'm very disappointed that it's over," said Hillman. "You want the series to go on as long as it can go but we weren't able to take it back to our ballpark."
Norihiro Nakamura, who had four RBIs in five games, was named series MVP.
The Fighters were attempting to repeat as Japan Series champions. They defeated the Dragons in five games to win the 2006 title.
Nippon Ham pitcher Yu Darvish took the loss despite striking out 11 and giving up one run on five hits over seven innings.
After Iwase retired Eiichi Koyano on a grounder to end the game, the Fighters sat motionless in their dugout as Chunichi's players celebrated on the field before their home fans at Nagoya Dome.
Yamai was a surprise starter for Chunichi manager Hiromitsu Ochiai. Many expected ace Kenshin Kawakami to get the start instead.
Despite the loss, Hillman said he was grateful for his time in Japan as manager of the Fighters.
"This was a very rewarding experience for me," said Hillman. "I like to think I'm a better person because of the time I've spent in this society."
---Vocabulary---
Combine : 結合する（他）、継投策で抑える（野球で）
Retire : 引き下がる（自）、アウトにする（野球で）
In order : 順番に、調子よく
Score : 得点を取る（野球で）
Run : 得点（野球で）
Sacrifice fly : 犠牲フライ
Best-of-seven : 7試合制（4戦先勝）
Disappointing : 失望させる（形）、期待はずれの（形）
Disappoint : 落胆させる（他）、失望させる（他）
As long as : -の間は、-さえすれば
Name : -を命名する（他）
RBI : Run Batted In=打点
Attempt : 試みる
Take the loss : 負ける
Give up : 得点を許す（野球で）
Grounder : ゴロ（野球で）
Motionless : 静止して、じっとして
Celebrate : 祝杯を挙げる、浮かれ騒ぐ
Instead : 変わりに
Rewarding : 報いのある、実りのある
Reward : 褒美、報いる
Society ; 社会、クラブ
