The Ham-Free Weekend rolled on in utterly brilliant and heart-stopping fashion as both Saturday and Sunday’s games went all the way to the last frames as the visiting Golden Eagles of Rakuten battled our beloved Chiba Lotte Marines. In both games Lotte overcame adversity and missed opportunities only to make the game-winning play. On Saturday …
Author: Steve Novosel
I've gotta write, usually my voice is shot from yelling too much during Lotte games!
A Ham-Free Weekend, Part 1
On an unseasonably cool summer night the relief from the recent Lotte troubles showed up at Makuhari (the moon really was that beautiful tonight – that’s an actual picture from the game). Over the last three weeks Lotte has dropped 14 or 16, including 9 in a row to Nippon Ham, but tonight good ol’ …
Game Report: Fighters vs Lotte, 28 July
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 …