Chapter 29

Short Summary
Kira is switched off for Tashiro, who also can’t pitch well as Kira worsened the state of the pitcher’s mound. The Lycaons finally tie the game.

Long Summary
Kira continues making pickoff attempts and Tokuchi declares the game a 10 vs 8 player match. Kojima recognises the reason for the broken trust in the Mariners. With their superb batting line-up, the pitchers’ value is secondary. Kira’s stats will suffer while the batters benefit.

The Mariners shout to Kira to reconsider his actions, but Kira is resentful for their not understanding his feelings. He thinks back to when his salary was reduced because of a 3.87 ERA, and won’t stand to let it happen again for the sake of the fielders. He throws another pick-off and it’s declared a balk because it’s clear he’s delaying the game. Each Lycaons runner advances a base, making the score 16-11. The Mariner’s Manager is relieved, supposing Kira will be forced to face the batter now, but Kira continues making pick-off attempts. After his second balk, Manager Imawano announces a pitching change and sends on Tashiro, who complains he’s not ready. As Kira passes him, he whispers to Tashiro, ‘Throw away this stupid game.’

The Lycaons dugout guess the alliance is over now that Tashiro’s pitching, as they assume Kira fixed the pitcher’s mound for him. Tokuchi scoffs and tells them the opposite’s happened.

Tashiro is forced to forgo practice pitches as well. He throws his first pitch and slips in the mud, falling over. The Umpire declares this a balk and the third base runner gets to home plate. Ideguchi shouts out in shock and Tokuchi says Kira must have made the hole he dug even deeper to screw over the pitchers after him. If the Lycaons catch up, the Mariners might want the game made invalid too, making Kira’s runs void.

Tashiro pauses to examine the mound, but the Imawano shouts at him for ‘screwing around’ and tells him to hurry up and pitch. Tashiro fails to throw strikes and walks the next three batters. Takami tells him not to worry, as the next batter is terrible. Kurumizawa has had no hits in 27 at-bats. Tokuchi pulls him aside to whisper something to him, then loudly tells him to ‘just go stand there and wait for a walk.’

Determined to strike him out, Tashiro assumes Kurumizawa won’t bother hitting and throws an easy ball. Kurimizawa, who Tokuchi told should expect a fastball down the middle, swings and hits a home run. All the base runners get home and the score is finally tied.

Characters

 * Tokuchi Toua
 * Kira
 * Tashiro
 * Kojima
 * Ideguchi
 * Kurumizawa
 * Takami
 * Manager Imawano