◆ Pacific League Orix 7-3 Rakuten (28th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)
Orix pitcher Kaito Saiki won his first professional win. With the score tied in the fifth inning, with two outs and runners on first and second, he took to mound as the second batter and faced off against Gonzalez. He struck out Gonzalez with a fastball that reached a maximum speed of 150 km/h and fork, earning a memorable win in his third year after graduating from college.
He joined the team as the second pick in the development draft in 2010. Manager Kishida, who was the second-string pitcher coach at the time, praised his protégé for successfully putting out the fire in a pinch, saying, "He has guts on mound. That's very important for pitcher, and Saiki has that."
During the off-season of his first year, he participated in the winter league in Taiwan as both a player and a coach. "I think Taiwan was a big thing for him. Before that, he had a lot of worries and his form wasn't solidified, but in the end, when he ran up to the final, he showed his true potential." He looked back with emotion on the year and a half ago when he got the opportunity to make a leap forward by not runs a single goal in 10 games.
Knowing his aggressive pitch style, when he was not doing well, he encouraged him by saying, "Remember Taiwan. I'm not pitcher can think about pitching, so just keep pushing." Saiki himself expressed his gratitude to the manager who supported him by saying, "He's someone who watches over me closely."
The 156 km right-mound pitcher embodied the advice he received from his senior right-handed relief pitcher, Yamaoka, "Throw it between yourself." "First of all, it all starts with being confident and throwing your own pitch on mound. That kid was able to do that from the moment he came on. I think he'll get better and better from here." He will carry the expectations of manager Kishida and be a key player in recapturing the championship.
Related News
・ [Game Details] Orix vs Rakuten
・ [Orix] With a comfortable win, they have a double-digit lead of 10 for the first time since 23 years ago. Manager Kishida praised the team for scoring in the first innings for the sixth consecutive game, saying, "That's really good."
・ [Orix] Double-digit lead for the first time since 23 years ago & 6th consecutive home win! Kaito Saiki second pitcher who puts out the fire, is happy with his first professional win
・ [Orix] In the 5th inning, with two outs and the bases bases loaded, Kenya Wakatsuki went to the bench to receive treatment for Hit by Pitch near his right wrist, but continued to play.
・ [Orix] With bases loaded and no outs, Yutaro Sugimoto doble a two-run double down the left field line! He scores in the first inning for the sixth consecutive game, supporting starter Daiki Tajima
