Pacific League Softbank 10-3 Orix (3rd, Mizuho PayPay Dome)
Softbank, which won back-to-back league championships, has finished its final home game, leaving just one game remaining this season. Manager Hiroki Kokubo mentioned the individual title in his post-game speech. "Today was the day. Congratulations," he said, congratulating Makihara Dai, a development player in his 15th year as a pro. With three at-bats, he reached the required number of at-bats for the season for the first time. He raised his batting average to .340, settling the battle for the hitter title with Yanagimachi.
Makihara Dai joined the team as the 5th pick in the 2010 development draft from Johoku High School. While Senga (currently with the Mets), who was 4th, and Kai (currently The Giants), who was 6th, were on the road to stardom, he spent his time as a super sub. "I want development players to aim for me, and it's a big deal that I was able to catch up with Senga and Takuya. They were the ones who stood out. I've finally joined their ranks," he said with emotion.
In the batting category, Yanagimachi will be the highest on-base percentage, Shuto the stolen base leader, and in pitcher category, Moinelo will be the best ERA, Ozeki the highest winning percentage, and Matsumoto Yutaka is sure to win the title of best reliever.
Related News
・ [Scoreboard] Softbank vs. Orix
・ [Softbank] Taisei Makihara reaches the required number of at-bats for the first time in his 15th year as a pro, becoming the first hitter from the development team to become the batting champion.
・ [Seibu] Keisuke Nakata gets his first professional RBI but laughs shyly, saying "Don't touch me..." After being released from Softbank Hawks and joining Seibu
・ [NPB Today's Highlights] Softbank is just four games away from hitting its 9,500th home run, becoming the third team in history to do so.
・ [Softbank] Consecutive wins against Orix 9 hitter onslaught in the second inning, scoring 5 runs. Magic number 19 for the championship is now lit on the 4th.
