◆Exhibition game Yakult 0-4 Orix Buffaloes (14th, Jingu Stadium)

Orix Buffaloes Alen Kuri pitcher (34) showed a persistent pitch. As a starter in the second game of the open game, he pitched 6 innings 3 hit runs. He took 5 struck out and made the game with 97 pitches while carrying runner on his back except for the 4th and 5th innings. "To some extent, I was able to throw while watching the reaction of hitter, and I was able to compete firmly with each one," he said.

This was the final showdown for Yakult 's Kawabata (now the second-team hitting coach), whose retirement game was that day. In 2015, when Kawabata won the batting hitter and the most hit, Kuri, who was with Hiroshima at the time, also struggled against him, At Bat 3 hit 5 at the plate. "He really seems to never swing and miss. His technique to hit even difficult pitches into the hit zone is amazing. I was always careful when I was pitching to him," he said, indicating he was serious about the matchup, and the result was a ground ball double double play, a ground ball to second base, and another ground ball to second base. "I am very happy that I was able to face him in his retirement game," he said, showing the utmost respect.

Miyagi and Soya are participating in the WBC, and the right-hander is listed as a candidate for the opening pitcher along with Yamashita and others. Coach Kishida emphasized the "undecided" of the major role, saying, "It was pretty good pitch. It was cut straight." The next appearance is scheduled for the Hanshin Tigers game (Kyocera Dome Osaka) on the 21st. He will further improve his condition into the second year of his transfer, which is expected to be full rotation.