◆パ・リーグ　オリックス５―１西武（１４日・京セラドーム大阪）

Orix Buffaloes pitcher Ryuhei Sotani (25) earned his first win of the season in his first appearance, allowing only one runs in five innings. The fourth-year left-hander hadn't recorded a win since July 11, 2013, against Nippon-Ham Fighters (at Escon Stadium). Shunta Nanbu, the reporter covering Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes, "saw" the growth of the man who finally secured his first win in 277 days.

Soya smiled with relief. "It was a big win, and I was really relieved." He made full use of his signature "rollercoaster slider" and his fastball which reached a maximum speed of 151 km/h. His first appearance of the season was more than enough, with 5 innings pitched, 1 runs, and 89 pitches. He also outpitched Seibu Lions 's Sumida, a fellow left-hander he faced in the WBC in March, and secured his first win of the season.

In 2025, he achieved a career-high eight wins, but went win in the second half of the season for seven games. He also suffered the misfortune of being hit directly in the chest by a broken bat. During this difficult period, he suddenly remembered the words that catcher had given him in 2024, his second year as a professional: "You're pitcher who can be more daring!" He later learned that this was a remark made because Wakatsuki had seen through his tendency to play it safe in order to get results.

"My control isn't that great, and I can't do any tricks. My greatest weapon is to go for the win and get strikeouts." He emphasized the importance of throwing with all his might into the strike zone, mainly with fastballs exceeding 150 km/h. His senior teammate reminded him of his roots. "Wakatsuki-san raised me. I have no intention of changing that in my baseball career going forward." It was undoubtedly because of the collaborative work with his catcher that he was able to emerge from that long slump.

On the team, Miyagi was removed from the active roster on the 10th due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. Although he is one year younger, he is spurred on by the absence of the ace, whom he respects as a professional. "We are the only ones who can cover for him. We will really endure and do our best until he comes back." He is entering his fourth year as a professional with extraordinary determination. I can picture him overpowering hitter. (Orix Buffaloes correspondent: Shunta Nanbu)