◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026: Hiroshima vs. Orix Buffaloes (July 7th, Mazda Stadium)

Orix Buffaloes pitcher Ryoku Miyakuni left mound in the middle of the second inning. He gave up a single to Sakakura, the leadoff batter, and then allowed another single to Mochimaru with one out, putting runners on first and second base. With two outs and a runner on third, Orix Buffaloes bench intentional walk walked the eighth batter, Hirakawa.

However, with a runner on second (pitcher), Okamoto was walked (fastball), forcing in a run (Walk). He then walked Nahara (Walk), and with two outs (bases loaded), he gave up a two-run single to left field by Kikuchi (doble). At that point, the manager signaled for a pitching change.

Central League The strategy of using bases loaded—which leveraged the rule that pitcher takes the ninth spot—backfired. For the third-year right-hander, who came up through the farm system, it turned out to be a grueling mound.