◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026: Orix Buffaloes vs. Yakult (June 9th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes pitcher Ryuhei Sotani promised to win the game against Yakult Swallows on the 10th (Kyocera Dome). This will be his first appearance at home in a month since the game against Nippon-Ham on May 9th. "I'm looking forward to being back on mound after so long, so I want to pitch that will secure the win," he said with determination.

In the interleague games, he took the mound at the home stadiums of the DeNA BayStars (The Giants) and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows (Central League). In the game against the The Giants on the 3rd (Tokyo Dome), he pitched seven innings, allowing just one runs and recording his first 10 strike out of the season, but his fourth win slipped away when closer Mukuoki gave up a game-tying bases loaded.“ reliever, the guys in the bullpen got hit a bit, but over the course of a year, games like that are bound to happen,” said the left-hander, showing concern for his relief corps. “I think it’s the role of all of us starters to pitch as long as possible, even if it’s just inning,” he added, his sense of responsibility evident.