I took a bit of a break when the team did for the All-Star break, so everyone involved needs a bit of time to get back into the swing of things. The first game after the break started a lot like the last few games as visiting Nippon Ham jumped on Lotte starter Kobayshi in …
Over the Rainbow
And on the third day of the series the skies shone golden, and the men of Lotte fought doggedly for every run, contested every out, and ultimately – rightfully – triumphed over the Hawks 3-1. Actually, the weather at the start and the end of the game wasn’t so hot. The first inning opened gray …
Game Report: Softbank vs Lotte, 7/18
A very intriguing game this evening. It was at times one of the worst games I’ve ever watched, at times one of the most exciting games I’ve watched, but it is in the end an 8-6 loss to the visiting Hawks. Karakawa was on the hill tonight for Lotte, and he pitched three perfect innings. …
Home Is Where the Victory Is
Just as there’s nothing quite like home cooking, there’s nothing like coming home after a 7-game losing streak on the road to get your team back in the win column. Hot on the heels of road sweeps at the hands of Nippon Ham and Orix, Lotte returned to the welcoming arms of Chiba Marine Stadium …
Game Report: Lotte vs Orix, 14 July
The 9 game road trip rambles on, and on Tuesday Lotte came to Kyocera Dome to exact some revenge for the current 4-game losing streak and 2-7 record vs Orix this season. Lotte starter Shimizu went 9 very strong innings, but unfortunately the game went 10. Lotte scored a run in the top of the …
Game Reports: Lotte vs Nippon Ham, 11-12 July
As I mentioned in my last post, I have a tendency to not write really quickly if there’s not any good news to report. Since this report is written a full day after the games in question that means…. yep. Both Saturday and Sunday’s games were far more interesting than Friday’s one from a Lotte …
Game Report(s): Lotte vs Rakuten, 9 July, Lotte vs Nippon Ham, 10 July
You may have noticed that I am slow in posting when things don’t go well. I admit it; I don’t really like to talk bad about my favorite team. There’s no way around it, though – these last two games were really unpleasant to watch as a fan. Both games unfolded similarly and the results …
Game Report: Lotte vs Rakuten, 8 July
I must admit, my fellow Lotte fans, that there was a time in this game when I didn’t think anything good was going to happen. Rakuten rookie starter Fujiwara was on fire. He carried a perfect game into the fifth inning and a no-hitter into the 7th. Lotte was down 2-0 and nothing was hitting …
Game Report: Lotte vs Rakuten, 7 July
When I was young, my daddy used to sit me on his lap and tell me, “Son, let me tell you something about baseball. Don’t listen to any naysayers. A grand slam in the top of the first – before your opponent even gets a chance to bat – is a really good thing. You’ll …
Game Report: Orix vs Lotte, 5 July
Tonight was a nice game on a very nice night for Lotte to close out the series with Orix. Ono Shingo pitched 7 2/3 strong innings to pick up the win in Lotte’s 4-1 victory over the visiting Buffaloes. Lotte took advantage of Orix starter Hirano’s lack of control to get ahead early in this …