"I'm really glad we got this result against the team I loved," said Seibu 's hard-working right-hander, who held off his former team closer his first win in two years.

Sports Hochi

2025.4.18(金) 06:10

◆ Pacific League Orix 2-3 Seibu (17th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Seibu 's Kuroki was resigned to his fate and swung his arms with all his might. "For better or worse, they know me, and I know them too. I'll try not to get too worked up and just do what I can now." He took to the mound with runners on first and second and two outs in the sixth inning with the score tied. He walked bases loaded to load Walk, but finally got Wakatsuki to hit a grounder to shortstop with fork, preventing the opposing team from taking the lead. "I'm glad I was able to closer," he said with a sigh of relief.

A match against his former team, where he joined as the second pick in the 2016 draft. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't have any special feelings." After breaking off the momentum, his team took the lead in the seventh inning, and he win for the first time in two years. "I'm really glad we got this result against the team I loved," he said with a smile.

He was out of the squad last season after Nippon-Ham and has been in the Seibu this season as a developmental player. When it seized control on March 25, number became "54", the same as in the "What a coincidence" Orix era. He wore a "54" necklace given to him by his best friend, Dodgers Yamamoto, and moved up to mound. Hard-working people who have made a comeback will support the team. (Ayami Ohnaka)