[Orix Buffaloes] Manager Mamoru Kishida's "fierce relief" strategy of using eight pitchers pays off... Starting pitcher Daiki Tajima is replaced after giving up two runs in the first inning. Orix wins the opening series for the second year in a row. Kurebayashi, who was hit in the previous two games, hits his first home run! | Pacific League

[Orix Buffaloes] Manager Mamoru Kishida's "devil's succession" of eight pitchers bore fruit...The starter Daiki Tajima was replaced in the 2nd runs of the 1st inning, the second consecutive season-opening card win, and the first for Benrin, who was winless hit in two consecutive games!

Sports Hochi

March 29, 2026 16:18

In the fourth inning with one out, Kotaro Kobayashi hit Home Run and was greeted by overjoyed manager Mamoru Kishida (left) and others (Photo by Shuji Asada).

◆ Pacific League Orix Buffaloes 5-4 Rakuten Eagles (29th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes won the opening card for the second year in a row. When starter Tajima lost two runs in the first inning, manager Mamoru Kishida decided to continue pitching from the second inning. Yamazaki, who was in third place, made multiple inning, and at the end, Machado, who had won the WBC championship as a representative of Venezuela, closed the game, and the relief team responded.

The offense scored three runs in the first inning against opposing rookie Fujiwara, and in the fourth inning, number nine hitter Kurebayashi, who had been hit in the first two games of the season, hit his first home run of the season. They showed great teamwork with 12 hit, their second consecutive game with double-digit hits.

They've made a good start, with a one-game lead, as they aim to reclaim the championship for the first time in three years. From the 31st, they face a six-game road trip against Seibu Lions and Nippon-Ham.

Orix Buffaloes ・Tajima (Left-hander entrusted with the third game of the opening round in place of Jerry, who prioritizes conditioning. I couldn't do my job with 2 runs in the first inning) "I'm frustrated that I got off the board early inning."