◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026: Hiroshima 0-2 Nippon-Ham (June 16, Mazda Stadium)

pitcher Kota Tatsu, who had been struggling as a starter and had temporarily switched to a relief role, delivered a perfect relief performance.

Coming in in the 7th inning, he struck out the leadoff pinch-hitter Katsuta by swinging and missing three pitches. After closer Omori to center field, he finished with Nahara at the top speed of 155 km/h that day, making it a missed three-pitch struck out.

Manager Shinjo laughed and said, "Tatsu-kun! That was amazing. 155? When he returns to being a starter, I hope he remembers this and throws that ball. I was so happy today. He came back with a calm expression on his face, but I think he was thinking to himself, 'I'm throwing some good balls.'"

Prior to the game, Tatsu had started nine games with a record of 2 wins and 6 losses and ERA 4.06. In addition to not being able to perform at his best, and with starter performing well, manager Shinjo decided to temporarily use him in relief.

Before the game, the manager had said, "For Tatsu-kun, it's important to let him gain experience as reliever pitcher and let him really get into it. If he throws some amazing pitches, I think that feeling will probably stick in his head when he returns to being a starter. He's kind of like the second Moinelo. What do you think? What if he throws pitches like Oose-kun?" And he lived up to expectations with a great relief performance, earning his first professional hold.