◆Pre-season game Hanshin Tigers 2-1 Seibu Lions (10th, Koshien)

Second-round draft pick rookie pitcher Hakua Iwaki (22) from Chuo University has been pitch no hit and no runs as reliever.

On this day, he pitched as the second reliever in the fifth inning with the score tied. He pitched well, walking one Walk strike out against four hitter, and nodded, saying, "Overall, I was able to pitch calmly."

Armed with a powerful fastball and confident handling mound, the left-handed pitcher joined Seibu Lions as the second pick in the 2013 draft from Chuo University. He has pitched in three exhibition games so far, hit or runs in any of them, but he said, "The best thing for me is that I've been able to come back without giving up any runs. That's all I'm thinking about."

Taira, who served as the team's guardian angel last season, has returned to the starting lineup, and Yamada, who pitched in 49 games, is behind in his preparations. Depending on how things go from here, he may be included in the win formula, but he said, "I think if I keep working hard every day with the goal of not giving up any runs, I'll be able to make it to the first team," and he is aiming to make it to the first team at the start of the season.