◆ Pacific League: Lotte 7-2 Orix Buffaloes (ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Orix Buffaloes Taisuke Yamaoka pitcher (30) delivered a brilliant pitching to Yoshihisa Hirano pitcher and pitcher coach (42), who announced his retirement. He pitched the eighth inning with a 5-run deficit and a perfect pitch as the third pitcher. With gratitude, he said, "I feel lonely and thank you for your hard work..." and threw two struck out centered around his fastball that topped out at 148 km/h.

He played alongside Hirano for a total of seven years, from his rookie year in 2017 to the present, starting in 2021. "He listened to me a lot when I first joined the team, and he taught me so much," he said, having learned countless things from his senior teammate, a fellow right-handed pitcher. In 2023, when the team achieved its third consecutive league championship, Hirano became the oldest player in history at 39 years and 6 months old to achieve 250 saves in his combined career in Japan and the US. "He showed me that you can still pitch at that age. I want to carry on that legacy," he said, expressing his determination.

The team suffered its first series loss in two series, putting them back to a deficit of one game. With 40 games remaining, they are in fourth place, six games behind third-place Seibu Lions, who are in a playoff spot. It will certainly not be an easy road, but they are determined to give their legendary closer a fitting send-off, saying, "We want to move up standings and make it to the playoffs." Fighting with all their heart and soul will be their way of showing their gratitude. (Shunta Nanbu)