◆Pre-season game Nippon-Ham 5-2 Hanshin Tigers (23rd, Nago)

Nippon-Ham pitcher Kota Tatsu started the game and pitched a great game, allowing runs Walk one hit and one walk in four innings, while striking out six strike out. He showed good form, reaching a top speed of 155 km/h.

The much anticipated matchup was at the top of the third inning. Last season, Fushimi and Tatsuya won seven of their eight games together. On the 22nd, just before their pitching appearance, Tatsuya said, "Tell Toratake to come (laughs)." Even after the start of camp, they were so excited about the matchup that they engaged in a verbal battle outside the stadium.

To Fushimi, Tatsu threw a straight pitch on the first fastball. "I thought if I didn't throw a straight pitch on the first pitch, I'd get a lot of criticism (laughs). So I just went for a straight pitch." He got a swinging strike on the first pitch, and then fork on the second pitch, forcing Fushimi to swing and miss. He had the batter in a tight spot with just two pitches.

Finally, he finished the game with a new pitch, a slatter between slider and cutter, for a pitching foul, "I thought this would be the best way to round out the game (laughs). outfield (Laughs.) "It's not a fly or anything, but a pitcher golo to end up with a catch. It was the most roundabout way to end the game," he laughed.

closer Tatsu said he was pleased with his response to the 6 strike out pitches, which included a straight, a slatter, cutter and different types of pitches. hitter "The curve, the drop, the sideways slide, two seam fastball were all good, so I hope I can keep going up," he said.