Long, who joined the team this season, had been pitching in relief since the start of the season, but switched to a starting role in the game against Orix Buffaloes on May 15th, and has made four starts so far.

Long made his debut in Japan and earned his first hold in a game against Seibu Lions on March 27. He said, "A month has passed since the season started, and at first there were a lot of things I didn't know, but by gaining a lot of experience, I've been learning new things every day, and I think that's why I'm able to perform consistently well now." As of the end of April, he had pitched 10 2/3 innings in 12 games, with a record of 0 wins, 1 loss, 7 hold, and ERA of 1.69, showing consistent pitching pitch.

In a game Seibu Lions on April 10th, he finished an inning in just seven pitches, and he said, "There's no particular secret to it; I just do what I'm told by the manager and coaches, and I just do my best to get the job done." He often managed to closer the number of pitches low.

On May 2, in the game against Seibu Lions, he experienced his first inning cross in Japan, and was removed from the first-team roster the following day, May 3. On May 8, in a The Giants second-team game, he made his first start in Japan, pitching three innings without runs closer, and on May 15, he made his first first-team start in the Orix Buffaloes game. On the same day, he said, "Overall, I think I was able to pitch well. Today, I really focused on throwing my own ball properly and getting as many outs as possible. On top of that, I was going all out to closer and deliver results. I was able to pitch with a good rhythm, and especially in the last three inning, I think I was able to control the curve well. There were some tough moments the first time, but honestly, I have no intention of making excuses. After that, I got a double play, so I'm glad I did," he said, throwing 5 0/3 innings, giving up 2 hit and 2 runs.

In the following game Rakuten Eagles on May 24, he said, "My number one feeling is truly sorry to the team and to everyone in reliever," giving up 8 hit and 8 runs in one inning, making for a tough mound. However, in the game Hanshin Tigers on May 31, " Last time, my pitching was truly frustrating, so this time, compared to last time, I improved my technique and changed my mindset mentally, going all out from the very first inning," he said, pitch fastball strong from the start, swinging Takumu Nakano, who was leading 0-0 at the start, on a 2-ball 2-strike and swinging on the fifth pitch, the 149 km/h fastball, struck out Next, Shota Morishita swung and missed on the sixth pitch, a 148 km/h fastball on the inside from a 3-ball 2-struck out strike, and finally a stunning three-way struck out start with Teruaki Sato on the fifth pitch, swinging 151 km/ fastball h struck out from 1 ball, 2 strike.

In the game Hanshin Tigers that same day, he said, "I think I was able to pitch in my own style and, as a result, I was able closer them in check," and although he was taken out of the game after four innings, closer the opponent to three hit and one runs.

In the June 7 game against The Giants, 10 of the first 11 pitches were fastball power pitches. Although he struggled with control early on, he quickly picked up his form and went 7 strike out in the third inning with three inning. He pitched 5 innings, giving up 3 hit, 8 strike out, 4 with 4 Hit by Pitch, and 1 runs.

Since switching to a starting role, he has been throwing powerful fastball from the first inning. "fastball is generally in good form. I've really re-evaluated my pitching style since becoming a starter, compared to when I was reliever. The changes have worked well, and I feel like fastball is really moving well now."

When asked why he revised fastball, he explained, "I changed it because I thought a faster, stronger fastball would be more effective against my opponents."

Since switching to a starting pitcher role, strike out has increased. Regarding this, he explained, "There isn't really a specific reason why I'm getting so many struck out, but I value the process, and I think what's important is how I pitch and how hard I try. I'm happy when I get struck out or get outs as a result, but I think the process is more important than that."

He effectively uses cutter and curves as breaking ball balls. "I think I'm handling breaking ball well now. In particular, as I mentioned earlier, my fastball has become faster, which I think has allowed breaking ball to improve as well," he analyzed.

He said about switching to a starting pitcher role mid-season, "When I was reliever, I was able closer the number of pitches low, but when I became a starter, the number of pitches inevitably increased, so I found it a little difficult."

He is expected to pitch as a starter going forward. "I want to pitch well so that I can leave a good momentum for the team, and I want to do my best to contribute to the team's win as much as possible. Currently, I'm not able to pitch long inning, and I feel sorry for reliever, so I want to work hard to be able to pitch well in the future." He will contribute even more to the team's win in his new position.

(Sam Long pitcher Interpreter= Chiba Lotte Marines ・Jumpei Murata Interpreter)

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita