◆パ・リーグ　オリックス３―１西武（５日・京セラドーム大阪）

Orix Buffaloes Kazuma Sato pitcher are scheduled to readjust their farm team starting on the 7th. In his first start of the season on the 2nd against Nippon-Ham (at ESCON), he gave up four consecutive home runs from the leadoff inning for the first time in pro baseball history. From the next Seibu Lions game on the 3rd (Hotto Kobe), he started as a long reliever in two games and entered the bullpen.

Three days after his disappointing start, Sato Ichi frankly expressed his feelings. "Normally, I would have been removed from the roster immediately, or the next day told to 'go start over in the farm league.' I was happy that they kept me on the first team even though I didn't get a chance to pitch, and I was truly relieved. It really eased my mind," he said, expressing his gratitude for the consideration shown by the coaching staff and strengthening his resolve to make a comeback.

He is eager to grow as a starting pitcher once again. "Being able to pitch for a long time is my strength. I can't be optimistic because I've been involved in the team's losses, but my next appearance is really important. I've hit rock bottom, so all that's left is to do my best." The seventh-year left-hander, who joined the team in the same year as ace Miyagi as the first pick in the 2019 developmental draft, earned his promotion to the main roster through his humble personality and overwhelming dedication to practice. He will only move forward one step at a time.