◆Pacific League Orix Buffaloes 3-1 Lotte (4th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes' Takashima was delighted with his sixth win, a new career high. "I'm honestly happy," said the right-hander, who had four career wins until last season. Pitching on five days' rest for the first time in his professional career, he held the opponent to one runs over five innings to earn his second consecutive victory. "Because my fastball was sharp, I was able to throw off their timing with my change-up," he said, keeping hitters off balance by centering his approach around a fastball that topped out at 153 km/h.

In this third season, he vowed to grow as a starter and reformed his awareness of 'posture.' During his independent training, he took lessons from dancer Miya Nishizono, known as 'Witch Training.' The menu focused on developing a sense of balance, such as performing knee bends while standing on his toes. He learned how to stand straight, connecting his body from the tips of his toes to his core and the tanden (below the navel). 'I feel the power being transmitted from the ground,' he said. His axis, which no longer wavers on the mound, supports his powerful pitch.

He has pitched 86 2/3 innings, ranking fourth on the team behind Kuri, Espinoza, and Jerry. The 'Prince of Orix' tightened his handsome face and said, 'My goal is 100 innings, but I'm ready to pitch as many innings as needed.' (Shunta Nambu)