Baseball / Japanese Baseball

Carp manager Nomura won't return to lead team in 2015

Kyodo

HIROSHIMA - Hiroshima Carp manager Kenjiro Nomura will step down after the post season, the Central League club said on Wednesday.

Nomura, who is in his fifth season in charge, told club owner Hajime Matsuda of his intentions at the end of last season and was given a one-year deal for this campaign.

Hiroshima posted a winning record for the first time in 13 years as it finished the regular season this year with 74 wins, 68 losses and two ties.

But Hiroshima dropped from second to third in the CL standings after its last game of the regular season, meaning the club missed out on the chance to host for the first time the Climax Series playoffs.

In Nomura’s first two seasons in charge, Hiroshima placed fifth, and were fourth in 2012 before placing third last season.

The Carp will open the postseason against the second-place Hanshin Tigers at Koshien Stadium on Saturday in the best-of-three first stage of the CL Climax Series.

The winner will play the final stage at Tokyo Dome against the Yomiuri Giants, who as league champions will hold a one-game advantage in the best-of-seven series.

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