[Rakuten] Opening pitcher Takahisa Hayakawa gave up 3 hit 2 runs in 4 innings against Seibu, "control of fastball is poor" and bullpen was also used

Sports Hochi

2025.3.8(土) 17:21

◆Preseason game: Seibu 3-2 Rakuten (8th, Kusanagi)

Takahisa Hayakawa (26), pitcher will be the opening pitcher, started the game. He gave up three hit two runs in the fourth inning, and said, "My control of my fastball was a little weak. Given that, breaking ball weren't working either."

closer to no hit through the third inning, but in the fourth inning, with one out and doble on first, Murata hit a timely double over center field on his first cutter to give them the lead, and with two outs and a runner on second, he allowed Hiruma to hit a timely single to center field. After leaving the game, he went into bullpen and threw about 40 pitches, saying, "If I'd been able to get count going with a straight pitch inside, it would have been a little easier. Not being able to pitch inside was my biggest issue today."

He started in the exhibition game against Hiroshima on the 1st. He pitched impressively, allowing no runs strike out two hit and two pitch in three innings, and was named the opening pitcher. This was his first game since being told of the big role, but he was calm and said, "My attitude hasn't changed at all." "I need to do my best to overcome the issues that are currently surfacing as I prepare for the opening game on March 28th. If issues come up after the season starts, the story will change, so I want to address the issues now," he said, steadily preparing for his second consecutive year of big work.