◆ Nippon Life Insurance Central vs. Pacific League Interleague Play 2025 Hanshin Tigers 1X-0 Orix = 10 innings extra inning = (6th, Koshien)

Orix suffered their third walk-off loss of the season, losing the first game of the Kansai Derby. With no runs scored in the ninth inning, with no outs, first base runner Ryoma Nishikawa Taishi made contact with shortstop Obata Ryuhei as he slid to second base on a grounder by Nishikawa Ryoma. Hirooka was called for interference on this play, and hitter runner was also called out.

Regarding the series of plays that led to Hirooka receiving a warning from umpire, head coach Mamoru Kishida explained, "We were desperately trying to get safe, but that's how it ended up." He revealed that he had been substituted as a precaution, saying, "The opponent (Obata)'s knee got into (Hirooka's) side, and he couldn't breathe," and emphasized that he was safe, saying, "I think he'll probably be able to play tomorrow (7th)."

Related News

・ [Photo] Contact with Obata! Hirooka's sliding to second base resulted in a "warning"
・ [Game Details] Hanshin Tigers vs. Orix
・ [Hanshin Tigers] Ryuhei Obata on Orix 's Hirooka's "interference": "I was just trying to throw normally when he hit me"
・ [Hanshin Tigers] Manager Fujikawa Kyuji shows concern for Orix 's Hirooka, interference "It was painful and I was trying to avoid the sliding," just before the ball hit Ishii in the head.
・ [Orix] Third walk-off loss of the season... Kohei Azuma pitched well, allowing only one hit and no runs in the seventh inning, but failed to get his first win of the season