◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 16-2 Lotte (November 11, Mizuho PayPay Stadium)

He showed his class. Softbank Hawks 's Liván Moinelo pitcher 30) made his first start and appearance of the season. His fastball, which reached a top speed of 151 km/h, and his signature curveball were both sharp. While saying, "I can do a little better," he pitched six innings, allowing only four hit no walk, strike out five, and giving up no runs. On the victory platform, he declared with a powerful "I'm back!" announcing his comeback.

"It had been a while since I was on mound, so I didn't know how it would feel." After winning Pacific League MVP award last season, 2026 was a year full of hardships. After playing for Cuba in the WBC, the country's severe fuel shortage and large-scale power outages delayed his arrival. He arrived in Japan on March 25, just two days before the season opener. While continuing his own training, he experienced discomfort in his left shoulder in mid-May, forcing him to leave the team again. He admitted that it had been a "long journey" to get to his first appearance, but his cheerful demeanor remained unchanged as he showed his trainer the results of his training, saying, "My shoulder has gotten bigger, hasn't it?" He pitched well, wearing emerald green earrings and a necklace, which he said he "likes because he thinks it's the color of hope."

He joined the team as a developmental player in 2017 and has been a full-fledged reliever and starter. He has achieved such success that he has signed a four-year contract worth an estimated 4 billion yen starting in 2025. Yet, according to Kenta Hagiwara, the scout in charge of Central and South America, "He hasn't changed at all as a person." "He's been calling me with the honorific 'san' for the past few years..." he says, using polite language that would put many Japanese people to shame, and he remains down-to-earth.

As if to celebrate the return of their ace left-hander, the offense provided solid support with 16 hit 16 runs. The magic number for winning the championship has also been reduced to 32. Manager Kokubo expressed his expectations, saying, "I want him to keep pitching every six days." Moinelo responded, "It's not like I'm trying to repay the favor, but I hope I can contribute to winning the championship." With the last piece in place, the champions' march seems unstoppable. (Tosei Moriguchi)