Short Summary[]
In the ninth inning of the second game, Johnson bats for the third time.
Long Summary[]
Shirooka reminds himself the match isn’t over yet and regains his confidence. Johnson has one more chance to bat in the ninth inning. By the final inning, the score remains at 2-1 to the Lycaons. Oikawa is relieved to be nearing the end of the game and says it looks like the Lycaons will get away with it. Saikawa laughs and says not a chance.
Johnson starts off the Bugaboos attack. Pitcher Komori throws and Johnson bunts. He steals first base easily. After he’s stolen the next two, Tokuchi is of course sent on. Third baseman Fujita shifts closer to the home plate to cut off Johnson's lead. Johnson scoffs and tells Tokuchi he’s just running away from him. He’d heard he was a great gambler, but he’s just a chicken. The commentators say Tokuchi is too clever to fall for such a provocation, but Tokuchi laughs and replies, ‘Shall we give it a go then, Tattoo-Face?’ then gets Fujita to step back to his base.
Saikawa laughs gleefully, shouting Tokuchi’s given the game away. One point here means Tokuchi will lose another billion yen. Ideguchi approaches Tokuchi and asks what the hell he’s doing. Tokuchi says he hasn’t fallen for the provocation, but Johnson’s right and he can’t keep running away; he has to battle his speed some time, and that time is now.
Johnson takes his huge lead back and the batter takes a bunting stance. Tokuchi lifts his foot and Johnson runs. Shirooka sees no way Tokuchi can win; he can’t throw it straight to the batter and risk a hit, but if he throws it too wide, Ideguchi won't be able to tag Johnson in time.
Tokuchi pitches the ball to the batter’s heels, making a bunt impossible. Ideguchi crouches down and catches it easily. Johnson touches home plate, but Ideguchi has already tagged him. For the first time, Johnson has failed to steal a base.
Shirooka hadn’t even considered throwing it to the batter’s heels. The next two batters get put out and the Lycaons win the match.
In the locker room, Ideguchi tells Tokuchi he was amazing. He admits he’d already given up, as the hidden ball was a single-use trick, but throwing the ball to the batter’s feet is a gaping hole in Shirooka’s speed theory. He thinks Johnson definitely won’t be running tomorrow. Tokuchi laughs and says he’s naive. The foot throw is as flawed as Shirooka’s theory. Ideguchi looks shocked and asks what the flaw is, but Tokuchi says he’s an idiot and to figure it out himself. He tells Ideguchi not to let his guard down; the ‘true battle’ is tomorrow.
Characters[]
- Tokuchi Toua
- Coach Shirooka
- Johnson
- Fujita
- Ideguchi
- Manager Mihara
- Saikawa- Owner of the Lycaons
- Oikawa