[Orix] Things went dark in the 9th inning. Despite the draw, manager Mamoru Kishida said, "It's hard to go in as closer," and didn't blame Machado, who pitched on his birthday.

Sports Hochi

2025.4.22(火) 23:56

◆ Pacific League Softbank 5-5 Orix = 12 innings extra inning = (22nd, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Orix was caught up from a two-run lead bases loaded with two outs in the ninth inning, resulting in a painful tie. Machado, whose 32nd birthday was on that day, was runs playing his second consecutive game. He fouled off seven pitches to Kawase starting with the first pitch and ended up with a straight ball to right field. After the game, manager Kishida stressed, "I think it was a game with some good points. I think it was a good game," said Kishida, who has experience closer in his working days. closer It's not easy to go on with a good performance. I think it's a good game.

Nakagawa, who injured the thumb area of his right hand in the game against Nippon-Ham on the 21st (Kyocera Dome Osaka), was taken out of the starting starting line-up as a precaution, and Hirooka, who was in the leadoff spot and center field, hit a home run as the leadoff hitter. Ota, a .400 hitter, is also in top form with four hit and four RBI. Starting pitcher Tajima, in his second game back from illness, threw a powerful 114 pitches, giving up three runs in the middle of the seventh inning. The relief pitchers from the 10th inning onwards also held on without giving up any runs. The gap with second-place Nippon-Ham has now widened to 1.5 games. "I think everyone did a really good job. It's great that we were able to hang in there here. We'll keep going with this momentum," he said, taking a positive approach to the second draw of the season.