◆ Pacific League Lotte 2-3 Orix (3rd, Zozo Marine)
Orix Yoshihisa Hirano pitcher (41) achieved his 250th save in the NPB against Lotte (ZOZO), becoming the fourth player in history and the oldest to achieve the feat. He became the first player to achieve the feat this season with a save in nine innings, and the first to achieve the feat since last season when he had seven saves. The team's first three-game winning streak of the season gave them their first two-game winning streak in 15 years and lifted them into a tie for first place for the first time since 2023, when they won three consecutive championships. runs closer
Two years ago, I achieved 250 saves in Japan and the US, and for me, it was a milestone. To be honest, I don't feel like I've accomplished it. From here on, I'll just work hard with a spirit of doing my best. I don't want to rank relief pitchers, but closer may be special. Failures are more noticeable than successes. I myself am more haunted by one failure than ten successes. Still, I change my mindset and prepare every day for my next appearance on the mound.
The most nerve-wracking situation is when the starting pitcher pitches until the 8th inning, and I go in at the end. For example, Chihiro Kaneko and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. As an ace, they are in a situation where they need to complete game or shutout game, and they will want to "go in." The manager makes a decision and I go up to mound in the 9th inning. I sometimes think, "Are you okay?" and I have to give them the win. As I gained more experience, my sense of responsibility grew.
Last season, I couldn't become a force in the first team. I knew I had to change, so I practiced my two-seam two seam fastball during the offseason. I didn't get results, and on March 8th, in a game against The Giants (Kyocera Dome), Hernandez hit two seam fastball Home Run off my two-seam fastball. I started to wonder if this was the right style. After the game, I called my former player, Kaita (Tomoyuki), about something else. He told me, "How long are you going to keep pitching like this? I don't want you to get another save with this pitch." He didn't have the power, so he didn't even swing at fork, which is my finishing pitch. The two-seam two seam fastball and fork are only possible with a fastball. My junior helped me to confirm something important once again.
In recent years, I have been battling with my right elbow and my back. Two years ago, the moment I touched the rosin on mound, my back spasmed. In the morning, I wake up on my side, tensing my abdominal muscles. I lean forward and slowly bring my face close to the sink. Coach Kishida (Mamoru) was concerned about me. About 10 years ago, he introduced me to a trainer named Hamada Kazuki, who taught me how to run without putting strain on my back. It doesn't look good, but I run with my body bent so that my back doesn't arch. I don't know where the pitfalls are, so I pay close attention to it in my daily life.
I was like a friend to Coach Kishida even when I was still playing. I don't remember us talking much about baseball, but when we went out to eat, he would eat my share, even though I'm a small eater. I wonder if he was being considerate (laughs). Now that I'm a manager, I try not to talk to him as intimately as possible. But Coach Kishida talks to me with the same attitude, so sometimes I'm the one who gets in trouble. He's a kind and considerate person.
Coach Okada (Akihisa) gave me the opportunity to build my career as a reliever. I don't have any plans to somehow extend my career as a player from now on. I'm prepared to fight to the best of my ability in every game, and if my body breaks down or I get hit and can't be a valuable player, then that's it. The season has just begun. I want to win another championship with my beloved Orix. (Yoshihisa Hirano)
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