Tohoku-Rakuten-Golden-Eagles

[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. ...

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“374” caption=“I figured that my Rays gear might put me on the tube.”] [/caption] When you go to a sparsely attended game where you’re rooting against the home team, chances are you might appear on TV. 13 April NPB Yakult Swallows (2) at Hiroshima Carp (3). A close, 10th inning, walk-off win. The Carp are proving to be quite the thorn in Yakult’s side. Their record rises to 5-10-0, but they remain in last. ...

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“No witty captions today, sorry.”] [/caption] 9 April NPB Hiroshima Carp (0) at Yokohama Baystars (5). Not the outcome I would have expected, but Yokohama is deceptively strong at times (and Hiroshima is pretty weak this year). Orix Buffaloes (8) at Rakuten Eagles (3). Orix made some serious upgrades in the off-season, but I wonder if they can keep this pace up all season. MLB Toronto Blue Jays (7) at Baltimore Orioles (6). The Orioles blow their home opener and not many are surprised. Tough break for the (orange) birds. ...

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“450” caption=“They may not be able to get the president to toss the first pitch out in Japan, but I don’t think they mind.”][/caption] 8 April 2010 NPB Hiroshima Carp (4) at Yakult Swallows (0). Another fine start for Kenta Maeda who is proving to be their best pitcher. Also their first shut out of an opposing team. The Carp rise to 3-8-0 and actually have some hope of getting out of last for once if they can take their upcoming series against the Baystars. ...

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“I guess it gets right to the point…”] [/caption] Despite their motto for the year, visible in the picture above, the Carp have not managed many wins this season. 7 April 2010 NPB Hiroshima Carp (1) at Yakult Swallows (7). The Carp fall to 2-8-0 in last. Go Carp! Rakuten Eagles (6) at Nippon Ham Fighters (3). The Eagles continue to hammer the Fighters. Nice work guys. 5-8-0 in 5th, two wins back from 4th. ...