[Softbank Hawks] Haru Matsumoto throws 5 innings without runs, bringing his sixth consecutive win to his 8th win. "hitter was able to pitch while thinking about his punching spirit and target pitches." The "barista left-hander" who is particular about his morning coffee: "One cup every morning" and "pitch" — Continuing to pursue "perfection"

[Softbank Hawks] Haru Matsumoto throws 5 innings without runs, marking his 8th win with his sixth consecutive win. "hitter was able to pitch while thinking about his punching and target pitches." The "barista left-hander" who is particular about his morning coffee: "One cup every morning" and "pitch" continue to pursue "perfection."

Sports Hochi

August 17, 2026 05:00

◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 6-1 Rakuten Eagles (16th, Mizuho PayPay Stadium)

Softbank Hawks snapped their three-game losing streak, reducing their magic number for winning the championship to 28. pitcher Haru Matsumoto delivered a superb performance, allowing only two hit and no runs over five innings, giving the team momentum and earning his sixth consecutive win and eighth win of the season (two losses).

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Haru Matsumoto shut down the Rakuten Eagles lineup with a calm pitch. With no runs, he threw 74 pitches over five innings to mound. Although he wasn't satisfied with his fastball, he fulfilled his role as a starter, saying, "I was able to pitch while thinking about the hitter 's punching spirit and the pitches I aimed for." With his sixth consecutive win, he further improved his personal best of six wins from last season and earned double-digit games for the first time in his career.

He allowed the first inning to reach infield hit and the fourth with Walk, but held on. What matters most to pitch right now is the "way of standing." His physical condition and posture change from day to day. "I always focus on creating a state where my condition is unbalanced. To maintain consistency in play, I can get closer to my best condition," and it's not uncommon for him to work on adjustments during games. On this day as well, he made every effort to get closer to his best pitch, leading to tenacious pitch.

The left-handed pitcher, with his keen senses, starts his day with coffee. He orders beans from outside the prefecture and grinds them himself, a daily routine. Currently, he uses Colombian Geisha beans and beans from Peru. He prefers light roasts and says, "The taste always changes depending on how you pour it, the temperature, the condition of the beans, and the grind size." After drinking a cup that tastes different each day, he heads to the stadium. One of the reasons for his dedication is the joy of perfection, as he believes "the best coffee can only be enjoyed at that particular time." "It's also about how I can adapt to bring out the potential of the coffee beans." He is pursuing the "ultimate" in both baseball and coffee. He will continue his relentless pursuit, bringing win to his team as they strive for their third consecutive league championship. (Tosei Moriguchi)