◆ He praised the decision, saying, "This compromise is the most important thing in a short-term battle."

Softbank On the 29th, the Brewers won the fourth game of the "SMBC Japan Series 2025" against the Hanshin Tigers, 3-2, win. With a two-run lead in the sixth inning, with one out runner none, Taisei Makihara grounded out infield hit. With two outs sacrifice bunt on the next Takashi Umino, Kensuke Kondo instead of Tomoya Masaki, who was on on-deck box, came in to bat for him and hit a timely hit.

Yutaka Takagi, MC of Fuji TV One's "Pro baseball News 2025" broadcast on the 29th, commented on the 6th inning attack that scored the winning run, "I thought the flow was completely in favor of Softbank. I had Unno send him to second base with two outs, and if he was at first base, Masaki was there, and if he got into scoring position, Kondo. intentional walk Kondo answered my expectations in such a way that I sent Kondo out and he was able to play with Kondo because Yanagida was hit by a pitch (in the next hitter) although first base was open," commented commentator Akio Saito. I think he decided that this was the right place to play and made a substitution. I think that Kokubo was able to read the flow of the game very well today. Takagi said, "The starter (Ryosuke Otsu) was also good, so he did a good job of holding his ground." Saito also commented, "This kind of decisiveness is the most important in a short-duration game.

Another commentator, Atsushi Kataoka, praised manager Kokubo's tactics, saying, "This was a moment where Softbank went on the offensive rather than the defensive. They played this trump card at a time when there were few chances, and I think it really energized the bench to see a player live up to expectations. Of course, Kondo's batting was great and he performed as expected, but the selection of players in this area also seemed to be spot on, and the momentum was gradually shifting in Softbank 's favor as the game unfolded."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2025"