Chiba-Lotte-Marines

Here’s another fantastic NPB catch from 1981 between the Marines and another team I can’t quite decipher.

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“I wasn’t at the Bean, but it’s also in Chicago. My photos aren’t uploaded yet.”] [/caption] Lots of action this weekend, including a game I attended in the Friendly Confines that will not be mentioned because I don’t cover the Cubs or the Angels. 18 June NPB Yakult Swallows at Hiroshima Carp. Rain delayed. Rakuten Eagles at Chiba Lotte Marines. Rain delayed. MLB Chicago White Sox (2) at Washington Nationals (1). Strasburg went out for his second home outing and pitched another stellar game, allowing only one over seven innings and striking out another 10. This kid is insane. The game is lost on a bad throw in the 11th, and Strasburg gets his first no decision. ...

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Last night’s attendance was less than half. I guess that’s what happens when Strasburg’s not pitching.”] [/caption] Pittsburgh debuted some rookies last night too. The Nationals crowd of about 18,000 was not impressed. 10 June NPB Chunichi Dragons (7) at Rakuten Eagles (2). Wei-Yin Chen Tossed six scoreless with five strikeouts as the Dragons got revenge. Rakuten’s record slides to 29-31-1 in fifth. ...

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“375” caption=““Honest” Abe and I fist bumping”] [/caption] For some reason Abe has become my favorite of the racing presidents. Maybe it’s his arrogant stride or maybe it’s the way he’s a sore loser when he doesn’t win, but I just love everything about the persona they’ve crafted for #16. 09 June NPB Chunichi Dragons (1) at Rakuten Eagles (4). Satoshi Nagai hurls eight innings of eight hit ball, miraculously only giving up one run. Nice work, Nagai. Rakuten’s record improves to 29-30-1, tied for fourth. ...

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“I don’t have any pictues of Kenta Maeda to put up, so this is the next best thing.”] [/caption] I don’t know why I’m surprised to see Maeda pitched when I see the Carp played a shutout. He really is the best pitcher in the Central League so far. 27 May NPB Chiba Lotte Marines (0) at Hiroshima Carp (3). Maeda scatters four hits over 8 while Yokoyama notches the save. This brings Hiroshima’s record up to 20-29-0 in fifth. ...

Q: When is it ok to get swept by the Red Sox? A: NEVER! 27 May NPB Chiba Lotte Marines (9) at Hiroshima Carp (1). When you give up four home runs in one game, it takes some mighty fine offense to catch up. Hiroshima’s offense is so streaky, this will never happen when they need it. The Carp record declines to 19-29-0 in fifth. I want to see them be < 10 games back for the rest of the season. Come on, guys! ...

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“A first base and infield glove on the visiting dugout of Citizens Bank Park.”] [/caption] Yesterday seemed to be super rainy in Japan. Neither of my teams managed to get a game in. 22 April NPB Hiroshima Carp at Hanshin Tigers. Rained out. Chiba Lotte Marines at Rakuten Eagles. Rained out. MLB Colorado Rockies (2) at Washington Nationals (0). Livo couldn’t pitch another shut out, so his perfect record and perfect ERA take hits. A well pitched game by Ubaldo Jiménez keeps the Nats out of the box score (also thanks to injuries to Zimmerman and a rest day for Willingham). The Nats return to their 8-8 record and are in fourth. ...

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Unrelated picture of Hanley Ramirez and his sweet glove.”] [/caption] I don’t feel very good today, but that won’t keep me from posting scores. 21 April NPB Hiroshima Carp (2) at Hanshin Tigers (1). I love seeing the Carp win the close ones. Hiroshima is 10-12-0 and only half a game away from third. Chiba Lotte Marines (6) at Rakuten Eagles (0). Rakuten seems to only be able to put together solid performances a few times a week (notably when Iwakuma and Tanaka pitch). They won’t make the Climax Series this way. Rakuten falls to 9-16-0 and I’m quite frankly surprised that the Fighters are still doing worse. ...

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Giant Pretzel!”] [/caption] The Victory Knot! Served at Nationals Park (and two other ballparks, supposedly) and absolutely delicious. This 2 lb monstrosity costs $16, but it’s WAY worth it. Best part of last night’s game. 20 April NPB Hiroshima Carp (0) at Hanshin Tigers (5). The win streak ends. I really hope Hiroshima can at least win this series against the Tigers. 9-12-0 in fourth, four games from first. ...

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Since I didn’t talk about the NPB yesterday I didn’t get a chance to put up another picture of a baseball babe. Sorry Min, that won’t happen again.”][/caption] 1 April NPB Hanshin Tigers at Hiroshima Carp. Appears to have been rained out. The Carp remain at 1-4-0 in last in the Central League. Rakuten Golden Eagles (2) at Chiba Lotte Marines (3). The Eagles are now 2-6-0 and in fifth place in the Pacific League. ...