April 5, 2024, 6:00 AM Hanshin vs. DeNA Top of the 6th inning DeNA 1 out, bases loaded, Kirishiki allows pinch hitter Kusumoto a timely 2-run hit, allowing a comeback (Photo by Ya Kato)
It is said that this is the first time for “Commander Akifu Okada” to lose in the opening two cards in a row. In response to a question from Tiger Cap and the others about that, Okada calmly replied, “It’s unexpected.
Losing always hurts, but today was also a wasteful loss. Starting pitcher Yuki Nishi persevered and allowed no runs in the 5th inning. The new batting lineup, which moved Teruaki Sato to No. 6 and placed Ukyo Maekawa at No. 5, worked, and they succeeded in scoring two runs in the fourth inning. I thought we could win this one… but in the 6th inning, Yu Nishi collapsed.
They lost one point, and the bases were loaded with one out. Here, he entrusted the task to his left-hand man, Takuma Kirishiki, but as expected, the situation was difficult. He received a well-timed hit from pinch hitter Yasushi Kusumoto. “I can’t blame you for that. Sora.” This is the scene Okada recalled. In the end, the three runs scored in this inning made it 2-3. We ended up losing by one point, which was frustrating.
“I guess I just have to get a hit.” I don’t think it’s appropriate to write a story like this after the loss that Okada lamented, but there are some areas where Hanshin has become more like last season. That’s the bullpen.
The bullpen hasn’t conceded a point in the four games since losing consecutively to the Giants at Tokyo Dome. On this day, Kirishiki returned the runner left by Isamu Nishi. It would have been great if he had held back, but I repeat, it was a painful scene. As a result, his relief ERA is by far the best in the league at 0.87. The relief pitcher himself holds on without giving up any runs even if he puts out a runner. This is the fourth such game in a row.
“We gave up four runs in the first inning, but I think that happens sometimes in baseball. But after that, the relievers did their best. I hope we can continue like this. It’s a league game, not a tournament.”
Seishiro Sakamoto told this story on the 2nd. This three-game series of DeNA games started with an “unexpected situation” in which last season’s MVP, Shōki Murakami, gave up four runs in the first inning in the first game on the same day. After that defeat, I talked a little with Sakamoto, who had received Murakami. The battle depends on the opponent. There are times when it’s tough and mistakes are made. If you can switch things up and hold on, you should have a chance to win. He explained that this is how he competes in a long season.
I think that’s right. The start of 2 wins and 4 losses is disappointing for last year’s No. 1 team in Japan, but it’s just the beginning. I want to see the Tiger Party recover from this. (Honorific title omitted)[Hisao Takahara](Nikkan Sports.com/Baseball Column “Tiger, Tiger, Become a Tiger!”)
This column has back issues.
2024-04-04 21:00:00
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