◆ Pacific League Nippon-Ham 7-11 Softbank Hawks (December 12, ES CON FIELD)

Despite the historic humiliation, Nippon-Ham Fighters manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo (54) remained unfazed. His team suffered a season-worst lose against Softbank Hawks, giving up 17 hit 11 runs. This was the second time since 2002 that the team has lost five straight games to start the season against the reigning champions. After the game, he addressed the topic himself, saying, "Your questions are all about the fact that we lost six straight games..." and smiled, saying, "It's okay, it's okay. There's absolutely no problem." When reporters pressed him about the fact that it was actually five straight games, he bravely replied, "I'm just glad it wasn't a three-game series (laughs)."

The first pitcher, Arihara, miscalculated. mound hit runs The first time I went to the NPB, I was in the middle of a game and I had a lot of fun," he said. Softbank Hawks He had lost six straight since his last start on July 3, 2008, at the Sapporo D. "They turned the tables on me, so I had to pitch with a lot of tenacity," he said.

The manager, referring to the runs by first baseman Yukio Kiyomiya in the first inning that led to a run scored, pointed out a flaw in infield defense, saying, "He was stiff as a board (laughs). The ball was coming at him, so he shouldn't have been so tense." He added, "I hope Arihara accepts that he's that kind of pitcher (who gives up a lot of ground balls). With Arihara's technique, he has the ability to come back without giving up a run," expressing his hopes for the next game and beyond.

The team's two-game losing streak has wiped out their lead, and they are now three games behind the league leaders. "If pitcher had held their ground, we could have won; it was a very close call," said the manager. They are determined to reset after this frustrating losing streak and once again chase after their rivals. (Haruki Kawakami)