Masaki Saito and Shohei Tateyama, who appeared on 'Professional baseball News 2026' broadcast on Fuji TV ONE on the 4th, commented on the coordination of the Lotte team, which gave up runs due to a defense error in the game against the Orix Buffaloes on the same day.

In the 4th inning with one out and runners on first and second and the score 1-2, the starter Jackson induced Ryoma Yamanaka to hit a ground ball to first base. The first baseman Kyuto Ueda threw to second for the force out, but on the throw from the short stop Tsuyoshi Yamasaki to first base, Ueda and Jackson, who was covering first base, collided. Jackson could not make the catch, allowing the runner from second to score in the meantime.

Motonobu Tanishige, who served as the program MC, pointed out, "In a 3-6-1 or 3-6-3 play, two players end up overlapping at first baseman. Even though they should be doing basic practice drills throughout camp, this kind of thing still happens during a game."

Mr. Saito pointed out, "In those situations, it's better if the pitcher doesn't get involved. If there's a fielder there, the right thing to do is leave it to the fielder, so that was a bit painful."

Mr. Tateyama lamented, "The person who was hit might have had their adrenaline pumping, but you have to look at the situation. They should have left it to the 3-6-3 double play, and the pitcher should have backed up and directed the second baseman and the runner's position; perhaps they weren't able to do things like that. It feels a bit disappointing."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"