[Orix Buffaloes] Leo Yamaguchi leaves the game after 4 1/3 innings, having given up 5 hit 3 runs... A heartbreaking go-ahead 2-run homer to Tomoya Masaki leaves him without his first win | Pacific League

[Orix Buffaloes] Leo Yamaguchi leaves the game after 4 1/3 innings, having given up 5 hit 3 runs... He gives up a heartbreaking go-ahead 2-run homer to Tomoya Masaki, delaying his first win

Sports Hochi

July 23, 2026 19:46

In the fifth inning with no outs and a runner on first base, Tomoya Masaki gave up a go-ahead two-run Home Run to Leo Yamaguchi (Photo by Daisuke Iwata).

◆ Pacific League: Softbank Hawks vs. Orix Buffaloes (23rd, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Orix Buffaloes pitcher Leo Yamaguchi left the game after 4 1/3 innings, runs 5 hit and strike out while striking out 5.

In the first inning, he allowed two Walk with one out, putting runners on first and second, but he retired Kurihara on a fly ball to left field and Makihara Dai on a groundout to first base, finishing the inning with no runs. In the second inning, immediately after taking a one-run lead, he retired the side in order with three consecutive struck out, delivering a perfect inning. In the third inning, he also finished with no runs, closer.

In the fourth inning, with two outs, he allowed doble to left field to Yu Yamamoto, and then gave up a timely doble to right field to Megumi Yamamoto, allowing the opposing team to tie the game.

In the fifth inning, immediately after regaining a one-run lead, the leadoff Isami Nomura, hit a single to left field, followed by a heartbreaking two-run homer to Masaki that gave the opposing team the lead. At this point, manager Kishida decided to switch to reliever Iriyama.

The 153 km/h right-hander, who joined the team in 2024 as the third overall pick in the draft from Sendai Ikuei High School, was making his second professional appearance that day. He showed a glimpse of his potential with a strong 74-pitch performance, but his first win was put on hold.

◆Reo Yamaguchi: Born May 14, 2006, in Ota Ward, Tokyo. Age 20. Started playing baseball in the first grade of Tagara No. 2 Elementary School, and played for Miyagi Hokubu Senior during his time at Takasaki Junior High School in Miyagi Prefecture. He was on the bench from the fall of his second year at Sendai Ikuei High School, but did not make it to Koshien tournament. He joined Orix Buffaloes in the 2024 draft as the third pick. His name comes from the main character of Osamu Tezuka's manga "Jungle Emperor". His favorite motto is "Do the ordinary things extraordinarily well". 193 cm, 97 kg. Right-handed pitcher and batter. Annual salary: 5.5 million yen.