Mlb

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“I did a search for “blooper” in Flickr to express my frustration and this unexpectedly came up. Not what I had in mind, but it relieves some of the stress.”] [/caption] My PS3 decided to stop reading discs correctly for the second time in its lifespan, temporarily halting my video game NPB season with the Carp just about to widen the gap between third and fourth by beating the Swallows. Hopefully I get the system back before next week, but it’s leaving me at a loss for stuff to play this week. Looks like L4D2 and Sam & Max will be getting my attention. ...

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=“500” caption=“Pre-Nats Strasburg.”] [/caption] In four Minor League starts, Stephen Strasburg has shown that AA cannot contain him. The Nats don’t want to rush him, but here are some numbers to consider. Innings pitched: 17.1 (that’s really 17.333, but baseball is strange about inning decimals) Hits: 7 Strikeouts: 23 WHIP: 0.577 (this is a measure of how many people reach base per inning, so just under 0.6 per inning) K/BB (Strikeout to Walk): 7.67 Earned Runs: 1 ...

[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=“337” caption=“Fukudome ALMOST hit the game-winning walk-off home run. That’s enough for me to put a picture of him up today, haha.”] [/caption] It was a light baseball day yesterday with only two teams that matter to me playing baseball. I don’t know when it happened, but at some point in the offseason I became a Nats fan. The Marlins will always come first for me, but Washington has made a pretty good case for itself. I love an underdog and I love seeing the pieces of this team come together. ...

[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. ...

[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. ...

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. ...