Dead Ball (JPN Baseball Thread)

[Greji]

Indeed he did. And he did a dang good job as well-- 7 innings, 5 hits, 2 earned runs, a walk, and 5 Ks. Alas the O's still lost 2-1.

As much as it hurts Gil, I gotta admit you're right.

But, it's a funny game, baseball! Uehara got his head beat in during the last game gives up about seven runs in less innings and ends up the winning pitcher.

This time he throws a great game and loses. Go figure!

[BO-SENSEI]

Well, it was about time that Lester had a good game, it would have been devastating for Red Sox Nation to have him 0-3. But imagine the hype if Uehara had to face off against Matsuzaka, it would have been a fun game to watch. At least they threw in Saito to close, he really needs to get through an inning without giving up a run.

[Gilligan]

Another nice outing by Koji: 6 2/3 innings 4 hits 2 earned runs 0 walks 6 strike outs.

He left the game with a 4-2 lead after throwing 92 pitches.

I'll update later on whether or not the O's 'pen can hold the lead for him (never a guarantee, eh Greji?)

[Gilligan]

Alas, the O's bullpen and defense could not make Koji's solid performance stand up--the O's lost 5-4.

[Greji]

Alas, the O's bullpen and defense could not make Koji's solid performance stand up--the O's lost 5-4.

Alas? We're talking O's here and it is "Alas"?:p

[Takechanpoo]

[BO-SENSEI]

What absolute horror, he is making a mockery of the sport. They should have set him up against someone tougher, I've seen Hong Man Choi fight, and he is good but very slow. Canseco has no chance, he is going to get killed, but i have no sympathy for the guy, he should have retired quietly a long time ago or at least sticked to Texas Hold'em.

[IkemenTommy]

Not quite NPB but you never have to face steroid testing in MMA.

[TennoChinko]

[Greji]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/sports/baseball/03lions.html

Ovbviously, the intent of the article is different, but it has to make one wonder how Matsuzaka feels? I mean its gotta be a a drag knowing that the memory of your contributions to NPB and team history is a plug-in-pisser!

[TennoChinko]

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

Not Japan related, but cool visual on why a curve ball is difficult to hit.

http://www.aip.org/isns/reports/2009/051309visualillusion.html

[Gilligan]

[Gilligan]

* I'm listening to the O's game, and Koji Uehara was just taken out after 3 innings because of a sore left hamstring. He'd given up 3 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, and struck out 3. And he walked in his only plate appearance (they're playing the Washington Nationals in DC).

* ESPN.com has an article about the fans in Japan supporting Valentine.

Bobby Valentine put the fans first in Japan, and in his moment of need, they're paying him back.

An increasing number of fans of the Chiba Lotte Marines are holding nightly vigils in support of their manager, upset at the Japanese baseball club's refusal to extend his contract beyond the end of this season.

In his seventh season with the Marines, the charismatic Valentine has long been a fan favorite in Japan. That's not only for what he's done on the field -- the Marines won the Japan Series championship in 2005 -- but also because he's made significant progress in making Japanese baseball more fan-friendly.

* Kawakami has been struggling a little bit with the Braves this season (2-5, 5.74 ERA before yesterday) but he pitched a gem last night against the Blue Jays: 8 innings pitched, 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 7 strike outs.

* Matsuzaka didn't do as well against the Mets in his first start after coming off the DL last night: 5 innings pitched, 5 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts.

And in the minors:

* Junichi Tazawa is 4-3 with a 2.74 ERA at AA Portland. He's pitched in 49 1/3 innings, given up 41 hits, walked 15 and struck out 47.

[Behan]

Speaking of BIG minor leaguers, Irabu is supposed to start playing minor, or independent league, ball on the West Coast. I think he said he had no intentions of trying to get into the majors.

[Greji]

Speaking of BIG minor leaguers, Irabu is supposed to start playing minor, or independent league, ball on the West Coast. I think he said he had no intentions of trying to get into the majors.

I heard it was independent, but nothing further on that yet.

[GuyJean]

[Behan]

[GuyJean]

[Greji]

[Behan]

I've had ACL reconstruction surgery and I can confirm that it is indeed no fun.

[Takechanpoo]

Jose Canseco to fight with for Dream

[YThq]X2h5-pln-aE[/YThq]

[IkemenTommy]

X2h5-pln-aE

That ended quickly.

[Greji]

[YThq]X2h5-pln-aE[/YThq]

Thanks Take. I wondered what happened with this tea party.

[Greji]

Speaking of BIG minor leaguers, Irabu is supposed to start playing minor, or independent league, ball on the West Coast. I think he said he had no intentions of trying to get into the majors.

BTW, he is bound for the Long Beach Armada of the Golden Baseball League.

He's 39, so he obviously can't really have any long term plans for Pro Ball on either side of the pond.

[Behan]

BTW, he is bound for the Long Beach Armada of the Golden Baseball League.

He's 39, so he obviously can't really have any long term plans for Pro Ball on either side of the pond.

Not totally related to the topic, but didn't Steinbrenner call him a a fat toad or something like that?

[Greji]

Not totally related to the topic, but didn't Steinbrenner call him a a fat toad or something like that?

He most certainly did not! He called him a "fat pussy toad!"

[Behan]

I'm glad to see Randy Johnson got to 300 wins. The news is saying he may be the last pitcher to do it.
And speaking of 300+ win left-handed pitchers, I wonder if any team will pick up Tom Glavine now that the Braves have released him.

[Gilligan]

Pitcher Ryohei Tanaka, Chiba Lotte's first round draft pick back in 2003, made his American professional debut yesterday for the AA Bowie Baysox (the O's affiliate). He went 2 innings, gave up 2 hits and struck out 1.

He probably would have pitched earlier in the season, but was stuck waiting around for a visa until just recently.

[Greji]

Pitcher Ryohei Tanaka, Chiba Lotte's first round draft pick back in 2003, made his American professional debut yesterday for the AA Bowie Baysox (the O's affiliate). He went 2 innings, gave up 2 hits and struck out 1.

He probably would have pitched earlier in the season, but was stuck waiting around for a visa until just recently.

He's originally from Ishikawa and I seem to recall something about him and NPB having a problem, but not sure. He did get to the Birds without the FA deadline catching him, so that was good.

BTW Gil, he probably had trouble getting a visa because no one in immigrations could locate Baltimore....