◆2025 Persol Climax Series first baseman First Stage Game 2 Nippon-Ham 5-4 Orix (12th, Escon F)
Orix suffered their second straight loss and was eliminated from first baseman stage. Sugimoto's solo home run and Kurebayashi's two-run homer gave them a one-run lead by the third inning. Manager Mamoru Kishida removed ace Miyagi from the mound and brought in starter Kuri in the fourth inning. Kuri, making his first relief appearance of the season, lived up to expectations with four runs innings, but things took a turn for the worse in the eighth inning. Veteran pitcher Iwasaki found himself in a pinch with runners on first and second with two outs, then gave up a two-run hit by Reyes to turn the game around.
They aimed to rise from third place in Pacific League to become first baseman team in Japan, but just like in 2008 and 2014, they were unable to get past the first stage, and Kishida's Orix 2025 season came to an end.
Related News
・ [Scoreboard] Nippon-Ham vs. Orix
・ [Pacific League CS] Franmil Reyes hits a two-run home run in the eighth inning to turn the game around. With a win or a draw, the team will advance to the final stage of the CS for the second consecutive year.
・ [Pacific League CS] Orix Alen Kuri leaves the game after four innings with four hit no runs... The right-hander with 11 wins this season overcame repeated crises in his first relief appearance since joining the team.
・ [Pacific League CS] Orix 's No. 4 hitter, Raoh Yutaro Sugimoto, Hit by Pitch near his left wrist... He collapsed on the spot but resumed play.
・ [Pacific League CS] Nippon-Ham-Koki Kitayama' Noriyuki Kitayama left the game after giving up four runs in the fourth inning, allowing two Home Run saying, "I really regret it."
