CHIBA -- There was a little wind, a lot of rain and a lot of mud. All in all it was absolutely horrible weather for about four innings at Chiba Marine Stadium. Although through it all Chiba Lotte pitcher Hiroyuki Kobayashi pitched an absolute gem.
A day after rain ended their Pacific League opener in a 4-4 tie, defending champion Nippon Ham and the Chiba Lotte Marines played to a scoreless 12-inning tie Sunday afternoon.
"I always feel awkward with the tie," Fighters manager Trey Hillman said. "I don't deny a tie is better than a loss. But my mindset is, I wish we could have found a way to win."