◇ Tohoku Rakuten Eagles vs Saitama Seibu Lions Game 17 (21st, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

Saitama Seibu Lions Mitsunari Takahashi pitcher pitched 91 pitches over 5 innings, throwing 6 hit 3 walks Hit by Pitch 3 strike out no runs pitching.

Mitsunari Takahashi pitcher put two outs and runners on third with hit on the leadoff hitter from the first inning, but retired McCuscar with three pitches to get through the runs with no ground. He continued to give up inning hit through the fifth inning, and except for the bottom of the third, he carried runner in scoring position, making for a tough pitch, but he closed the key moments and did not allow any runs. He held onto a one-run run and retired from the mound with no runs in the fifth inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, the second pitcher, Shunsuke Sato pitcher, was tied, and although Kosei Takahashi pitcher missed out on a win since July 19, he showed tenacious pitching that further improved his ERA 2.45, which was leading the league before the game.

◇ Mitsunari Takahashi pitcher Comment
"Today, I just held on and managed to pitch up to five innings. Since I had to carry runner many times, I focused on gathering the ball low and getting grounders to hit. As a result, I was able to get double play hits, and with help from the fielder, I was able to finish with no runs. As a starter, I think I have to throw a long inning, so I want to adjust well and challenge it so I can throw a long inning for the next inning."

Text by Aoi Nishijima