◆ Pacific League Seibu Lions 1-2 Rakuten Eagles (April 4th, Belluna Dome)

Rakuten Eagles Eagles pitcher Chiharu Tanaka (25) earned his first professional save. He took the mound in the 9th inning with the score 2-0. He gave up one run but managed to hold on for the win, leading his team to their third consecutive victory.

He endured the pressure. Tanaka Chihiro earned his first professional save. He took the mound in the 9th inning with the score 2-0. He was given the opportunity because Fujihira was showing signs of fatigue from pitching in consecutive games. "I was pitching while feeling how amazing everyone who pitches in save opportunities is. I felt the weight of each and every pitch... I gave up one run, but I'm glad the team managed to win." He threw 17 pitches in one inning, allowing one hit and one runs to secure the win. Manager Miki, whose team has now won three straight games, also applauded the "substitute demon's" performance, saying, "All that matters is that he came back with a win, so it's a double circle."

He joined the team as compensation for Norimoto, who transferred from Rakuten Eagles to The Giants on January 23rd. He didn't make a single appearance in the first team last season. "I had this image in my mind that I wanted to make it big with The Giants," he said, burning with a desire for revenge, but when he received the news of his transfer to a new team, he said, "I couldn't switch gears at all," and he couldn't come to terms with it. However, as time passed, he became more positive, thinking, "They called me because they needed me, so I want to live up to their expectations," and that's how he got to where he is today.

The right-handed pitcher, entrusted with a key role in win formula, vowed, "Next time, I'll aim to come back with a score of zero." At 25, in the prime of his career, he still has plenty of room to grow.