Though the blog title typically means an inning where the batters are retired in order, today it also has a deeper, sadder meaning – after three consecutive wins last week, Lotte has now dropped three in a row including today’s 5-2 loss to the hated Giants. Lotte came out with guns blazing as leadoff batter …
Tag: Chiba Lotte Marines
Interleague Games 21 & 22: Jinxed in Jingu
Lotte came into the second series with Yakult on a very high note. Having won three in a row, including the 23-2 destruction of Hiroshima and a sweep of Hanshin, expectations were high that the strong play would continue. The first game was a complete debacle for the Marines as the pitching completely imploded, giving …
Interleague Game 20: Chiba Clutch City
Wow, what a well-played game for both teams! The final game of 2009 between Lotte and Hanshin (barring a 2005 Japan Series rematch) had it all – a pitching duel, great defense, unexpected plays, and best of all – a clutch hit to drive in the winning run in a 4-1 Marines victory. Lotte starter …
Interleague Game 19: Monsters of Makuhari
Who are these guys? Whoever they are, I like them – alot. After weeks of frustration, missed opportunities, and men left on base like unwanted promotional items, the Lotte offense has turned into the Monsters of Makuhari. In the past week, they’ve put up games of 9, 23, and now 9 runs again as they …
Interleague Game 18: We Shall Fight on the Beaches
Before tonight’s game vs Hiroshima at Chiba Marine – the last game between Lotte and Hiroshima in 2009 – I imagine Bobby Valentine gave our Marines a pep talk. I think it might have gone like this: “My fellow Marines. We have seen much together these past years. These last few weeks – the battles …
Interleague Game 17: Gone Fishing
The Red Hell from Hiroshima stormed into a very windy (even by local standards) Chiba Marine Stadium tonight with an eye towards continuing their dominance over our dear Marines. It was no domination, but it was definitely a victory as Lotte loses again to Hiroshima, 2-0. If you like strikeouts and lost opportunities, this was …
Interleague Game 16: What Goes Around…
The air was still sizzling after Sunday’s 7-HR slugfest between Lotte and Yokohama, but Monday’s game in Yokohama provided even more fireworks as the two teams traded blasts, but with Yokohama coming out on top 4-3. Sunday’s two-HR hero Ohmatsu was at it yet again, cranking a 2-run shot – his 3rd HR in 2 …
Interleague Game 15: Afternoon Delight
On a lovely late-spring day in beautiful downtown Yokohama both the Lotte and BayStars offenses put on a show, combining for 25 hits and 16 runs in a 9-7 Lotte victory. Lotte jumped on former Hokkaido starter Ryan Glynn right off the bat. With one out in the top of the first Fukuura and Ohmatsu …
Interleague Game 14: History Repeating Repeating
Lotte and Chunichi finished up their season series this afternoon at Nagoya Dome. For a while, it looked like I would be able to autotext the intro I used yesterday (but hoped desperately that I wouldn’t get to use). By the end of the 6th inning, Lotte was down 2-0 despite a 4 hit, 6K …
Interleague Game 13: History Repeating
Stop me if you’ve heard this before. Lotte starter {insert name} pitched quite well this evening versus {insert Central League team} – well enough to win most nights. Unfortunately, the offense didn’t give him much support, and Lotte succumbed to {insert Central League team} again, {final score}. For example: Lotte starter Ono pitched quite well …