Softbank: Magic number still on hold, but manager Hiroki Kokubo calmly states, “A fitting first game for the battle for the top spot.” Yuya Arihara and Moinelo will lead the team to a counterattack | Pacific League

Pacific League Nippon-Ham 4-3 Softbank (22nd, ES CON FIELD)

Softbank manager Kokubo remained calm. “It was a fitting first game in a three-game series to battle for the top spot.” A win would have brought the magic number for the championship to 27 for the first time, but that number has been postponed until after the 23rd. “He hit a straight ball on the outside corner into the right-field stands. We should give the other team some credit,” he said, graciously taking his hat off to Mannami’s game-winning hit.

In the end, the third inning proved to be a painful one. With two outs and a two-run lead, Mizuno hit an infield single to first base. Starting pitcher Haru Haru Matsumoto whose defense abilities are questionable, was a little lax in his base coverage, widening the gap and allowing three runs. Manager Kokubo followed up by saying, “Maybe he was trying to get to first base a little earlier. I don’t think it was a mistake, though.” The left-handed pitcher, who has shown remarkable growth with six wins this season, reflected, “I’m sorry to the team that my mistake led to the team being overtaken.”

The winning streak came to an end at three, and the second-place Nippon-Ham Fighters closed the gap to 2.5 games. If they can turn things around with the two main pitchers, Arihara and Moinelo, who will be deployed in the second and third games, there will be no problem. (Toru Nagata)

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・ [Scoreboard] Nippon-Ham vs. Softbank
・ [Softbank] The magic number for the championship is on hold… Fujii, who is in the winning position in the 7th inning, is hit by a winning hit by Mannami
・ [Nippon-Ham] Koki Kitayama will start in the first game of the three-game series against the top-ranked Softbank. “It’s a world of results, so I just want to produce results.”
・ [Softbank] Manager Hiroki Kokubo pumps his fist in the air, saying, “They looked good, so closer.” Nippon-Ham is “strong, honestly.”
・ [Softbank] Ryo Oyama, who was brought in with two outs and a runner on third base, said the day after his first professional walk-off loss, “I was happy to be allowed to pitch.”