◆ Pacific League: Nippon-Ham vs. Orix Orix Buffaloes (3rd, ES CON FIELD)

Nippon-Ham 's starting pitcher, Hiromi Ito pitched well, throwing 101 pitches over six innings, allowing only four hit and no runs. He showed remarkable improvement from the opening game where he gave up five runs in the middle of the sixth inning, but he commented modestly, "I wasn't able to pitch at a good tempo, but thanks to defense behind me and Yuya (Tamiya)'s guidance, I was able to pitch through to the sixth inning."

closer the side in order in the first inning, but in the second inning, he allowed an infield hit and then walked a runner, creating a two-out, bases loaded Hit by Pitch situation. However, he managed to get out of the jam without giving runs closer Kurebayashi to fly out to right field with a 150 km/h fastball.

In the third inning immediately after receiving the first run, Nishikawa and Ota were hit repeatedly from two outs, but Nishino was swung struck out. After the 4th inning, he was allowed to hit and took pitch, and he threw the 6th inning protected by a large amount of support.

Just 10 days after returning from the WBC, Ito started in the opening game. He didn't get win on opening day, but he earned the right to his first win of the season in the second game.