Orix Buffaloes Alen Kuri pitcher (34) set the theme for the comeback CS on the 17th: "Sealing individual records." strike out is trailing league leader Nippon-Ham Ito (131) by 7 inches. Ahead of the Seibu Lions match on the 18th (Tokyo Dome), he set aside his personal desires.

"Winning as a team is the most important thing. We want to climb as high in standings as possible. I think that's the priority." Individual titles are something every pitcher aims for. However, acknowledging the reality that they are seven games behind third-place Nippon-Ham with 34 games remaining, he vowed to pitch his all in order to make a comeback and advance to the Climax Series, saying, "Really. None of the players have given up yet."

On this day, he participated in pitcher practice at Maishima in Osaka. He said he was conscious of "pitching at a good tempo so that the offense can get into a good rhythm." This is the first game of a three-game series with Jerry and Espinoza waiting in the wings. He will shut out both distractions and the Lions' batting lineup. (Toru Nagata)