[Softbank] Ukyo Shuto ‘s super catch leads to a comeback win against Orix putting the team at 13 with six straight wins | Pacific League

[Softbank] Ukyo Shuto ‘s super catch leads to a comeback win, and the sixth consecutive win against Orix puts the magic number at 13.

Sports Hochi

2025.9.13(土) 22:34

Pacific League Orix 1-2 Softbank (13th, Kyocera Dome)

In the ninth inning, trailing by one point, Softbank created a chance with consecutive hits from Kondo and Nakamura, and Makihara Dai hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game. With one out and runners on first and third, Machado’s bad throw scored the winning run. The biggest hero was Shuto, who made a big play with two outs and a runner on second in the bottom of the eighth inning. He made a sliding catch of center fielder ‘s long fly ball behind center field, running backwards from a forward defense. He prevented a second run and turned the tide in his team’s favor.

Nippon-Ham win the day game, and a loss would have narrowed the gap to 1.5 games. Their determined comeback win ended their losing streak at four, reducing their magic number for the championship to 13. They’ve won six games in a row against Orix, giving them a record of 13 wins, 3 losses, and 2 ties. They have seven of their 13 favorite games remaining.

Manager Kokubo said, “It would have been tough without Yuki’s play. It was a shot over center fielder field from a position where we could have made a move. Catching that ball kept our hopes alive. It was a close game. It’s great that we were able to win.”

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