Lotte's Kazuya Ojima reached the required number of innings pitched for the fifth consecutive year this season, but finished with an 8-10 record, failing to achieve double-digit win for the third consecutive year.
For the team to win the league championship, it's necessary for both of their ace pitchers, Kojima and Atsuki Taneichi, to pitch long inning and build up a winning record. In 2021, Kojima had a 10-4 record with a 6-game winning streak, and in 2023, he had a 10-6 record with a 4-game winning streak, but last season, despite a career-high 12 wins, he only had a 2-game winning streak. This season, he has an 8-10 record, with more losses than wins.
Regarding what he needs to do to increase his win-loss record, Kojima reflected, "Originally, ERA was also a factor, and although it happens occasionally, I'm not pitcher closer opponents to zero runs. In terms of properly managing the game, there have been many games this year where when I'm playing badly, the numbers just stay bad." He then shared his thoughts, saying, "I've never thought that a quality start was good, but if I can consistently aim to have games that are at least high quality starts, I think that will change things in terms of wins and losses."
"Actual wins and losses depend on the batting lineup, so I don't think it's something I can control, but I want to improve my QS rate and HQS rate," he said, vowing to improve his QS (6 innings or more with 3 earned runs or less) and HQS (7 innings with 2 earned runs or less). This season, he has made 24 appearances, with 7 HQS and 12 QS. Last season, he made 25 appearances, with 13 HQS and 16 QS, and in 2023, he made 25 appearances, with 9 HQS and 16 QS.
"It's not just about the technical aspects, but I think you also need to be physically fit. And we're giving up a lot of home run to right-handed batters, so we need to take proper measures against that as well," he said. This season, he gave up a league-worst 20 Home Run runs, 17 of which were to right-handed hitter, so preventing Home Run from right-handed hitter will be an important factor in building up a lead.
"Of course I was disappointed with my own numbers, but I was even more disappointed with the team's standings. Even with this standings, so many fans came to support us at both home and away games until the very end, and they continued to cheer us on with the same volume as always. I was happy to pitch while feeling their support, but I also felt a little sorry and frustrated. I really hope that next year we can show the team more thrilling games. I definitely want to get revenge next year." We hope he contributes to many win next season and builds up a large lead.
▼Kojima's wins and losses by year
2019: 3 wins, 5 losses
20 years: 7 wins, 8 losses
2021: 10 wins, 4 losses
22 years: 3 wins, 11 losses
23 years: 10 wins, 6 losses
24 years: 12 wins, 10 losses
25 years: 8 wins, 10 losses
Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita
