◆ Pacific League Seibu Lions 0-3 Softbank Hawks (26th, Belluna Dome)

He's on a roll. Softbank Hawks pitcher Yugo Maeda (20) completed his start by runs six scoreless innings, allowing only three hit. He exchanged a fist bump with manager Kokubo as usual. His eight consecutive wins to start the season, achieved by a player in their first three years out of high school, is the first time in 59 years since Tsuneo Horiuchi of The Giants in 1967 (in his second year). This is a remarkable achievement that surpasses Masahiro Tanaka (currently with The Giants) in 2009 and Shohei Ohtani (currently with the Dodgers) in 2015. Maeda bowed his head and said, "I wasn't really thinking about it, but it's really all thanks to fielder."

His pitching tempo is excellent, and his composure mound is calm. He exudes a presence that belies his 21st birthday in August, and his mindset is just as impressive. During spring training in February, he was putting strain on his left arm while experimenting and striving for improvement. While dealing with the pain, he purchased expensive medical equipment that is not easily afforded for a left-handed pitcher with an estimated annual salary of 11 million yen. Aware that it was a big purchase, he decided, "I want to play baseball for as long as possible. When I think about baseball career, I don't think it's expensive."

Now, he has adhesive tape with "Medical Equipment - Caution!" written on it attached to his attaché case, and takes it with him on away trips. He receives treatment every day without fail, and candidly admits, "If I didn't have this, I might be in rehabilitation right now..." He is even considering purchasing expensive medical equipment. "For example, if I were fired tomorrow, I don't think I could immediately work in society." It is because he is grateful that he can dedicate himself to baseball he loves that he does not hesitate to invest in himself.

The team secured win against Takahashi Hikaru, a pitcher they had struggled against this season, losing all four previous games. This puts them 5.5 games ahead of second-place Seibu Lions, putting them in a dominant position heading into the All-Star break. Manager Kokubo nodded, saying, "Rather than continuing to slide, this win against Takahashi Hikaru will give us momentum for the second half of the season." They finished the first half of the season without a losing record in any of the 11 series since the interleague games. Even with the break in between, the Hawks' momentum, with their pitching and hitting clicking, shows no signs of slowing down. (Tosei Moriguchi)