
◆ Pacific League Orix 1-11 Softbank (9th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)
Softbank is the ideal big win against your loyal customers. Orix The team won four consecutive matches from the start of the season, including two draws, and together with last season's eight-game winning streak, it was the first 12-game winning streak since 04~05. In the opening starting line-up, Yamakawa was the only one left in the lineup, and he connected with a 6-hit 4-Walk of 12 men in the sixth hitter inning to score a season-high 1 inning 9 runs. "It was decided in that inning," Kokubo said, lowering the corners of his eyes.
This season, the team had two three-game losing streaks and two five-game losing streaks, but this was the first time they had won a game without losing a game, and they've risen to fourth place alongside Rakuten. With injuries plaguing the team, they're only three games behind the leader, Orix. "I've never even looked at the standings. That's something for the future. Pacific League is a mess, so I'm not worried. First of all, we're in the process of creating our own fighting style," said the manager, with plenty of leeway. Kondo, who underwent back surgery on April 2, is expected to return later this month, so the team is on the upswing.
29 years ago, on May 9, 1996, there was a humiliating incident. After the team lose to Kintetsu (Nissei), fans threw raw eggs at the team bus. It was the first time since the Daiei era under Oh that year that the team had finished last in April. The opponent was The Buffaloes, in the same Osaka city. On that "unforgettable day," the bus was filled with smiles as the champions of the previous season returned home. (Shimao Koichiro)
Related News
・ [Softbank] Manager Hiroki Kokubo, whose team's five-game winning streak came to an end, said, "We may have fallen out of the running for the championship. But we managed to hang on."
・ [Softbank] 5-game winning streak comes to an end. After Ryoya Ryoya Kurihara 's comeback home run, the team was unable to attack due to three consecutive inning double play.
・ [Softbank] Ryoya Kurihara, starting line-up for the first time in four games, hit a solo 151 km/h pitch to right-center field in his first at-bat since returning.
・ [Softbank] Ryoya Kurihara, who is suffering from neck pain, returns to starting line-up for the first time in four games as the third batter and third baseman.
・ [NPB Today's highlights] Softbank attempts a first for the team! Starting pitcher is Tonohama, who has one win and one loss this season.