| Neck and Neck | |
|---|---|
| Season 1, Episode 29 | |
| |
| Air date | April 27, 2014 |
| Written by | Takeshi Konuta |
| Directed by | Mitsuyuki Masuhara |
| Episode guide | |
| Previous Path, Eijun Sawamura to the Scorching Mound |
Next Winner and Loser |
Neck and Neck (Kikkō; 拮抗) is Episode 29 of the Diamond no Ace Anime series. The Episode follows the storyline from chapter 82 to 85 of the manga.
Summary[]
Miyuki outplays Shunshin and Seidou ties the game. Sawamura continue to strike Akikawa's batters, but Kuramochi and Ryosuke still fail to get on base. Kataoka makes his move, having Haruichi warm-up while Tanba pitch at the bullpen, shocking Shunshin and his teammates.
Synopsis[]
In the bottom of the fourth, Seidou's batting order start with the third batter, Isashiki. Isashiki hit a ball that’s high and inside, that was intended by the battery to push him back. The ball goes long to the left-field line and Isashiki reach second base. Yuki, is up next and the first hit goes foul past first base. Shunshin is affected by the hit, walking Yuki. Masuko bunts to advance the runners.
Miyuki is next at-bat. With just two pitches, one far and outside in the strike zone and the second a foul, the count is already at 0-2 and Miyuki’s cornered. With the fourth pitch, Miyuki perfectly predicts what Shunshin would pitch and brings two runners home while he reach third base.
With the game tied, Shunshin is pumped up. This is the Japanese baseball he was looking for. With Miyuki on third, the next batter tries a bunt and Miyuki bolts home. Shunshin race to get the ball and tosses it to the catcher for the out.
In the top of the fifth, Sawamura’s back on the mound and Akikawa's batters still can’t get their timing right. Akikawa strikes out in three. At-bat Sawamura strikes out. Kuramochi is next but despite his efforts he strikes out once again. Ryosuke again fight with fouls but also strike out. Top of the sixth, Shunshin gets jammed by Sawamura's pitch, forcing a pop fly to the infield. In the dugout, Kataoka gives instructions to Haruichi and Tanba: Haruichi to go warm-up, and Tanba to go throw at the bullpen.