Saburo – Page 3 – We Love Marines

game report June 1, 2013March 20, 2016 by Craig Roberts

Kings of the Mountain

Image: From marines.co.jp

With today’s win, Lotte now has the best record in the NPB, top position in the inter-league title race, and first place in the Central League.

For the second game in a row the Marines held off a late offensive attack by Yomiuri, defeating the Giants this afternoon by a score of 3-2. Imae continued to tear it up in the number four slot, golfing a two-run double to left in the 3rd inning. Our ace Naruse looked great early on, highlighting his performance by recording his 1,000th career strike out in the 3rd. Despite a scoreless 4 innings to start the game, Naruse departed clinging to a 3-2 lead with 1 out in the 7th. However, the bullpen shut the Giants down again for 2 2/3 innings, preserving the win for Naruse.

game report May 31, 2013March 20, 2016 by Craig Roberts

One Giant Leap

The Marines were able to contain a late game awakening by the Giants bats to preserve a win for starting pitcher Yuki Karakawa. With 4 runs coming in the form of a pair of 2-run home runs by Iguchi and Daichi Suzuki, the Marines defeated the Yomiuri Giants 4-3. The Marines and Giants went into the game tied with the best records in the NPB. Now, Lotte has sole possession of that honor. The win also guarantees at least a season split with Giants, as well as maintaining our position of 1/2 game out of the inter-league title and 3 games atop the Pacific League.

game report May 12, 2013March 20, 2016 by Steve Novosel

Go Forth to Interleague, O Men of Lotte!

Running, hitting Men of Lotte! Throwers, fielders, base stealers! Go forth, Men of Lotte, go forth as the number one team in all of the Pacific League! Go forth with your 8-1 May record, press on with your crafty attack, head out to the stadiums of the Central League and bring back the Interleague Crown! …

game report May 10, 2013March 20, 2016 by Steve Novosel

At Least We’re Still in First, Right?

I won’t say I am surprised Our Marines’ 8 game win streak snapped like a small tree getting hit by a bus. It’s baseball – losing’s a part of the game. But man o man o man this was an ugly way to get that first loss of May out of the way. Ineffective bats …

game report November 8, 2010March 20, 2016 by Steve Novosel

Nippon Series Game 7 – Nippon Ichi!

It took seven games, and 12 innings in the seventh game to decide a winner – that winner, finally, decisively, is Our Marines. Can you believe it? This was just an amazing game (and I am not saying that just because of the result) – it was truly an epic way to end the series. …

game report October 19, 2010March 20, 2016 by Steve Novosel

Climax Series Final Stage Game 6 – The King of Chiba

I will freely admit it – sitting in the second deck behind home plate at Chiba Marine Stadium, watching game 6 – the decisive game of the Climax Series Final Stage, cheering loudly with my friends and fellow fans, seeing Ohmatsu golf a ball from Brian Falkenborg deep and high, being unable to tell whether …

game report October 10, 2010March 20, 2016 by Steve Novosel

Climax Series 1st Stage Game 2 – Indefatigable Spirit

“I feel like everything is shiny. Just… shiny.” -Katsu, about 60 minutes after the end of the game The world is indeed a shinier place this evening as yesterday’s comeback kings found a way to do it again today. Down late – again – needing a spark – again – wanting a hero to step …

game report October 9, 2010March 20, 2016 by Steve Novosel

Climax Series 1st Stage Game 1 – Never Say Die

‘‘This is what happens when you never give up,’’ said Fukuura, who pumped his right fist as he rounded the bases. – Kyodo News on Saturday’s Climax Series First Stage Game 1 If you were to make a time capsule for sports – a representative collection of the appeal of sport and the significance to …

game report October 1, 2010March 20, 2016 by Steve Novosel

Yatta! Look Out Seibu, The Marines are Invading

The wait is over – it’s been a long season, a stress-filled September, and it went right down to the last possible pitch. The three-year wait is over: Tonight, Our Marines clinched the final spot in the climax series by the slimmest of margins, taking a tight 5-4 victory from visiting Orix, and seizing the …

game report August 25, 2010March 20, 2016 by Steve Novosel

Briefly: Lotte vs Seibu, 25 August

It’s really quite nice that a successful organization like the Seibu Lions allows older folks to work with the younger crowd, and in critical positions, too! I especially like it as a Lotte fan – nothing like a 47-year-old reliever, released last year after YOKOHAMA thought he was washed up, coughing up a fat pitch …