◆ "There are still many plays that are uncharacteristic of Softbank this year" - No runs scored due to a painful double play

Softbank lost their second match against Rakuten 2-6 on the 16th, ending a losing streak. Trailing by four runs in the bottom of the sixth, the offense had a golden opportunity to put on a hit and two Walk with no outs bases loaded. However, Ryuta Hirose fell on a wild pitch to struck out, and Riku Watanabe followed with a fly to left that touched up third base runner Hotaka Yamakawa. It ended with a heartbreaking double play and failed to score.

Yutaka Takagi, who appeared on Fuji Television One's "Pro baseball News 2025" broadcast on March 16, said, "Hirose fell down with no outs bases loaded when we were chasing a four-run lead. I know you want to score a run, but if this was Watanabe's pitch, Yamakawa at third base runner would have time to talk to the third base coach," questioned Yosuke Hiraishi, "There is enough time. It's true that left fielder is about in position, so I really want him to come back, but Yamakawa is not fast, so if he goes, he should definitely be safe and should not be out," he complained.

Takagi added, "Things like this somehow make the team's flow and atmosphere worse," and pointed out, "There are still a lot of plays this year that are not typical of Softbank."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2025"