No matter how poorly my teams did or didn’t do today, nothing can match my disappointment in the Washington Capitals for losing Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs. Way to suck, guys. 28 April NPB Yokohama BayStars (2) at Hiroshima Carp (1). These close losses are the most heartbreaking ones. The Carp fall to 11-16-0 in fifth. At least the Swallows lost too. ...
[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“375” caption=“Even Domo-kun is happy that the Orioles won”] [/caption] Normally your fourth win, twenty-four games into the season, is nothing to celebrate. When you do it against the Yankees, I think you can take a minute to be proud of notching a ‘W’. 27 April NPB Yokohama BayStars (0) at Hiroshima Carp (3). Nothing like a shutout to brighten your day. The Carp are sitting on an 11-15-0 record in fourth, just half a game shy of passing the Swallows. ...
[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“375” caption=“I bet it was this partly this guy’s fault, too.”] [/caption] When you have a series against the Giants (and you’re the Hiroshima Carp), things can get ugly. PYS 2010 has taught me that as well, where my version of the Hiroshima Carp are barely a fourth place team. 23 April NPB Hiroshima Carp (4) at Yomiuri Giants (10). The Giants offense is potent, to say the least. ...
It’s been a while since I properly did one of these, but yesterday heralded the arrival of both Pro Yakyu Spirits 2010 and the latest campaign for L4D2, The Passing. Both are super fun. Impressions below: Pro Yakyu Spirits 2010 The comforting thing about sports franchises is that you always know what you’re getting year after year. PYS 2010 doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, it just makes slight interface changes that all feel sharp and look great. I’m getting back into the groove, getting spanked by the AI, and having fun with this one all over again. ...
[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=“The Phanatic likes to mess around with everyone, including reporters.”] [/caption] I spent a far-too-cold night at Citizens Bank Park freezing my butt off, but enjoying a Marlins victory over Fish-killer Jamie Moyer. A review of the park should be hitting soon, but I’ve got to finish writing it first. 16 April NPB Chunichi Dragons (3) at Hiroshima Carp (4). If I’m not mistaken, this one was won in extra innings. A thrilling victory for the Carp. ...
Yesterday was the anniversary of the day that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier and made his MLB debut. Per usual and in honor of the event, baseball had every player taking the field adopt Jackie Robinson’s uniform number for the day, 42. It makes for confusing baseball if you don’t recognize the faces of the players, but it’s a great gesture that always brings a smile to my face. ...
[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“It was pretty cold that night”] [/caption] 14 April NPB Yakult Swallows (3) at Hiroshima Carp (6). I’m not sure, but this might be the first series the Carp have won this year. Their record rises to 6-10-0, but they’re still sitting in last by about half a game. Rakuten Eagles (5) at Seibu Lions (6). 7-12-0 keeps the Eagles in fifth as they drop the entire series to the Lions. ...