[Softbank] Manager Hiroki Kokubo, who has suffered three straight losses, says, “The atmosphere has changed.” Kensuke Kondo volunteers to play in right field Ukyo Shuto who was absent, is also a “force.”
Sports Hochi
2025.9.22(月) 22:14
Pacific League Softbank 0-1 Orix (22nd, Mizuho PayPay Dome)
Softbank suffered three consecutive defeats to Orix. Yanagida, who had been out due to a bone contusion in his right tibia, returned for the first time in about five and a half months and starting line-up as No. 2 DH. Kondo, who had a tight waist and continued to be a DH, defended the right field for the first time in 18 games, but suffered a shutout game loss. Yanagida connected with Walk in the 5th inning with 2 outs and bases loaded Yanagimachi hit two grounders. In the 6th inning with 1 out and bases loaded, Umino and Kawase retired. A total of 6 bases loaded in the last 3 matches have been scoreless. Otsu pitched well with 24 inning consecutive runs in the 6th inning of no runs, but he could not save it.
Below is a Q&A with manager Hiroki Kokubo after the match:
-bases loaded, one more to go
“That’s true. Well, Yanagida has returned and the atmosphere has changed, so I think it’s a completely different game, and it’s a very close call.”
-What is Yanagita’s condition?
“He played in a farm game and there were reports that his running was improving today.”
-Kondo also protected
Kondo said so himself today, so I had him protect the team at short notice. I would like to talk with them about how to use Kondo for the remaining nine games. I’ll talk with Yanagita, including defense him.”
– Shuto, who has a back injury, will miss two consecutive games.
“I’m not going to remove him from the roster. He’ll be on the bench, and it might be difficult for starting line-up to be in the starting lineup, but I think he’s a valuable player.”
– Otsu pitches well
“It was good. He got caught a little in the third round, but he played a good game in such a tense situation.”
Related News
・ [Scoreboard] Softbank vs. Orix
・ [Softbank] Yuki Yanagita will start immediately as the second starting line-up, and Kensuke Kondo will start as the fourth batter in right field for the first time in 18 games.
・ [Softbank] Sudden stop against a favorite opponent: Manager Kokubo: “They won’t let us win easily” – Stuck at M7 for two consecutive days
・ [Softbank] Avoiding another losing streak: Manager Hiroki Kokubo on filling in for Ukyo Shuto: “A really good job”; “I take my hat off to Akira Nakamura”
・ [Softbank] Manager Hiroki Kokubo: “Today’s game was all about that play” – Aoyama Gakuin University junior Misho Nishikawa changed the flow of the game
AloJapan.com