◆ "We can expect to see another pitch typical of Kojima in his next appearance."

Lotte's Kazuya Ojima started on the mound against Orix Buffaloes on the 12th. He threw 86 pitches over 5 1/3 innings, giving up 5 hit, striking out 2 strike out 1 Hit by Pitch with a pitch, and allowing 3 runs, resulting in his 6th loss of the season.

Kojima has yet to win a game in his last five starts, but on the Fuji TV ONE program "Pro baseball News 2026" aired on the 12th, MC Tomotaka Sakaguchi commented, "He had been replaced a little too early in previous games, but today he seemed to be in relatively good form." When commentator Akihiko Oya said, "I didn't think he started well; his balance was a little off, but he gradually improved, so I felt like he would get into his own rhythm," Sakaguchi nodded and said, "He was a little unlucky, too."

Another commentator, Kenji Tomashino, commented, "He was aware that everyone was supporting him from behind, and he was skillfully distributing his pitches. Up until then, he had been a bit too self-centered. Although he lose today, I think we'll see another pitch that is typical of Kojima in his next appearance, and that he'll be able to control the pitch well." Sakaguchi also expressed his hopes, saying, "I hope he trusts those around him and uses this experience to his advantage next time."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"