[Softbank] Hiroki Kokubo, manager of three consecutive losses, "This is what happens when things go wrong." 3 games to 20 runs "There you go, it's hard to win."

Sports Hochi

2025.3.30(日) 16:36

７回途中でマウンドを降りた上沢直之（左）（右は小久保裕紀監督）（カメラ・朝田　秀司）

◆ Pacific League Softbank 4-7 Lotte (30th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Last season's champion, Softbank, has started the season with an unexpected three-game losing streak. It's the first time in 37 years since the Nankai Hawks lost seven games in 1988 that they have lost three games in a row since the start of the season. If we limit it to their home stadiums, it's the first time in the team's history that they have lost three games in a row.

It was the third consecutive day of come-from-behind losses. As on the 29th, no relief pitcher was selected. Starting hit Uesawa had been pitching well, allowing only one runs and one run through the sixth inning, but was replaced in the seventh inning with two outs and runners on first and struck out lead. After striking out Sato with a 150kph (150km/h), Uesawa was replaced by Hernandez, but Polanco hit a timely doble to left-center field, and with runners on second and third, pinch hitter Oka hit a two-run doble over the center field fence to tie the game.

In the eighth inning, Sugiyama threw two wild pitches in a row with two outs and a runner on second base. The second wild pitch got the ball stuck between catcher Umino's body and his protective gear, resulting in a dead ball and a loss of the winning run. In the ninth inning, Ogata gave up two runs. The relief pitchers, who manager Hiroki Kokubo had been confident about before the start of the season, saying "baseball is all about pitcher," were lackluster.

Below are the main questions and answers from manager Hiroki Kokubo after the match:

- The pitching and hitting are not in sync

"But we scored four points. We gave up 20 points in three games. So it's hard to win."

-Will Uesawa be replaced?

"It was a decision based on regret over the number of pitches, or whether I could continue pitching or be replaced."

- The winning goal came in an unusual way

"I've never seen this before. This is what happens when nothing you do goes right."

--Isn't it unusual to change pitchers in the middle of inning?

"I don't think that's the case. We didn't make any substitutions at the start of the seventh inning. The sixth inning went smoothly, and I was thinking about what would happen if we were in a pinch with Polanco in the seventh inning. We also brought in Matsumoto Yutaka midway through last year's opening game. If the starting pitcher had survived two or three pinches by the fifth or sixth inning, we would have replaced him (from the start of the seventh inning)."

-Masaki Home Run

"Masaki was also able to take a two-strike approach. There are some positive signs. But baseball is about pitcher."