Pacific League: Seibu Lions 4, Rakuten Eagles 1 (30th, Belluna Dome)

Rakuten Eagles' 41-year-old right-handed pitcher Takayuki Kishi bid a final farewell to his former teammate Kuriyama, who is one year older, in a head-to-head battle.

In his first at-bat with one out in the second inning, he flew out to left on a 1-2 count. In his second at-bat with two outs and runners on first and second in the fourth inning, he flew out to left on the first pitch; in both instances, he was retired on fastballs.

Kishi also participated in the retirement ceremony after the game and presented a bouquet of flowers to Kuriyama.

[Post-game Q&A with Kishi]

- Faced Kuriyama for two at-bats at the end.

"I thought, 'This is the last time we'll face each other.' While thinking that I didn't want to do something anticlimactic like giving a walk, I was able to pitch while savoring the moment, treating it as our final showdown."

Both were fly outs to left field on fastballs.

Regarding my second at-bat, it was a situation where I didn't really want my turn to come around, but I was able to battle through and compete until the end, even in a high-pressure spot like that.

In the second at-bat, I got him out with my trademark low-and-away pitch.

I think it was a paper-thin margin. It's just that the spot where I jumped happened to be good.

"The reason for not wanting the turn to come to him here is because of Kuriyama's clutch hitting."

Of course.

Watching Kuriyama at bat...

Only during the showdown with Kuriyama-san was there a strange sense of tension. I had a mix of emotions—anxiety, but also excitement.

Was I able to send them off for the final showdown?

I gave up three runs and was taken out, but I still feel like I wanted to face them for one more at-bat. Still, it was good. I'm glad I could start in Kuriyama-san's final game and have the chance to compete.