Lotte's Toshiya Sato has been in excellent batting form since the latter half of August, maintaining a 7-game hitting streak since the August 25 match against the Softbank Hawks and an 11-game on-base streak since the August 19 match against the Rakuten Eagles.

In the game against the Orix Buffaloes on August 9, during his fourth at-bat in the 7th inning with two outs and runners on first and second while leading 5-2, he hit a two-run timely doble over the left fielder's head off a 147 km/h outside fastball thrown by Kosei Yoshida on a 1-ball, 2-strike count. Also impressive was his two-run timely doble in the game against the Rakuten Eagles on August 20, during his fourth at-bat in the 7th inning with one out and the bases loaded while leading 2-1, where he hit back a 149 km/h fastball thrown by Sora Suzuki on a 1-ball count.

Just like the games against the Orix Buffaloes on August 9th and the Rakuten Eagles on August 20th, his clutch hitting has shone in situations where the team needed 'one more run' late in the game since the start of the season. In an interview on August 23rd, Sato said, 'It just so happens that I'm hitting in those spots; my batting had actually been poor for about the last month. My perspective has changed, so in a strange way, chances are actually somewhat easy. Saying they are easy might be a bit much, but when you are playing catcher, you don't want to throw a fat pitch, so the intentions become clear. There are times when a pitcher wants to hit a good spot but it becomes a ball, so it's just about discerning that. I'm only waiting for the pitch I intend to hit, so I'm entering the box with a relaxed mindset. I think I've been able to hit with runners in scoring position this season with that kind of feeling, so I think it's a good trend.' As he noted, his batting average with runners in scoring position for the season is .328, ranking 7th in the league, and his average in those situations for August was also .333.

A series of prevented stolen base in August

Defensively, he recorded a .417 caught stealing rate in August. In the game against the Rakuten Eagles on August 18, with one out and a runner on first in the first inning and McCusker at bat, he threw out Rui Muneyama, who was attempting a stolen base at second, with a low and strong throw.

Sato emphasized, "When Yoshikawa is on the mound, compared to other pitchers, his quick motion is slower and he has certain habits that make it easier for runners to get a jump. I practice so that I can make low, accurate throws even in those situations. I believe being able to throw to a spot that is easy to tag lately is one of the factors behind the increased caught stealing rate. All we can do is throw to that spot, so if they are safe after that, it can't be helped. I am focusing solely on throwing to that location."

In an early spring interview, Sato said, "Since the starting pitcher aren't winning, we're asking how we can win, but I think the key going forward is to quickly identify which pitches can be used and which are bad, and how to achieve the minimum runs." (Interview on May 16) "Including Coach Battery, I'm working on starting pitcher six times, at least HQS and QS, so I'm conscious of it. I think our reliever is like an iron fortress and has some strengths. To make the most of that, I think it's important for the starting pitcher to throw as long inning and to be able to pitch at least runs, so I always want to work with pitcher while working on that," he said, emphasizing the need to closer the starting rotation with at least runs.

However, at present, the team's starting ERA is struggling at a league-worst 4.40. Sato said, "I am working to keep runs to a minimum. There will inevitably be pinch situations, and I think being able to closer them to one or two runs, or managing to closer a situation that could have turned into a massive loss to just one run, is what affects the outcome of the game. I want to organize those thoughts within myself when giving signs."

There are 27 games remaining. "I will do my best to hit, and while I can't control everything regarding the defense since there is an opponent, I want to keep the runs to a minimum and work hard to firmly secure victories in close games. I am playing with the mindset of somehow connecting the game to our closer." As the "pivot of the fan," he will lead the team through both his hitting and his defense.

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita