◆ Pacific League Softbank 6-2 Orix (23rd, Mizuho PayPay)
This was also the long-awaited first home run of the season for Orix infielder Kotaro Kobayashi (23). "I was able to swing properly from the first pitch." He was leading off the fifth inning with the team trailing by four runs. This was his 68th at-bat in 17 games since the start of the season. He hit Uesawa's first cutter into the left field stands.
"Mr. Muku, you're really tough..." said Ota, who plays shortstop and second baseman, in awakening mode. In the fourth inning, he hit his fourth solo home run in two consecutive games, and with a batting average of .432, 16 RBI, 38 hit, and an on-base percentage of .495, he won the "four crowns." He secured a regular position at shortstop in 2021, and is three years older than Muku as a regular. The two, who have experience with Samurai Japan, snatched two runs from the nemesis right-handed pitcher.
The team suffered its first three-game losing streak of the season. Their winning streak on the road since the start of the season came to an end at eight games, but manager Kishida was pleased, saying, "Kurebayashi's back is completely fine now. He may feel relieved after hitting that one home run." Before the game against Nippon-Ham on the 4th (ESCON), he suffered a slipped disc. He was depressed for days, saying, "I feel like my hitting distance has decreased." His weight dropped from 103kg to 95kg because he was unable to lift weights that put strain on his back. The restrictions are being lifted little by little, and number 24 will be in high production mode. (Osada Toru)
〇… Orix suffered their first three-game losing streak of the season, with one draw in between. They allowed their arch rival Uesawa to pitch well, giving up two runs in the sixth inning, giving up their 21st win (eight losses) in a series since their time with Nippon-Ham. Their losing streak against Softbank since last year has now reached 11 (including two draws), and their last win at Mizuho PayPay was on April 21st of last year. This was their first loss on the road, after eight wins and one draw. Manager Kishida vowed to get revenge, saying, "It felt like (Uesawa) was pitching carefully. We all need to think things through and do our best."
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・ [Orix] Taisuke Yamaoka not indicted... Papers sent to prosecutors over online casino issue: "I want to be back on mound for the first team as soon as possible..."
・ [Orix] Tomoya Mori returns to the starting line-up in a second-division game after recovering from a right flank injury: "I hope to return (to the first division) around late April to early May."
・ [Orix] Things went dark in the 9th inning. Despite the draw, manager Mamoru Kishida said, "It's hard to go in as closer," and didn't blame Machado, who pitched on his birthday.
・ [Orix] The game ended in a draw due to a blackout in the final innings... The losing streak against arch rival Softbank continues. Machado's birthday appearance was a miscalculation.
