[Rakuten] After losing their chances of advancing to the CS, Manager Hajime Miki suffers two consecutive defeats. “We’re not doing things carelessly. There are things we can use.” | Pacific League

[Rakuten] After losing their chance to advance to the CS, they suffered two consecutive defeats. Manager Hajime Miki said, “We’re not doing things carelessly. There are things we can use.”

Sports Hochi

2025.9.29(月) 22:19

Pacific League: Orix 4-0 Rakuten (29th, Kyocera Dome)

After losing the game on September 27th, which completely wiped out their chances of advancing to the CS, they gave up 10 runs in the first four innings on the 28th, and then on this day they were shutout game with just three hit. Rakuten manager Hajime Miki defended the team, saying, “We’re not doing things casually, and our players are playing to win.” Reflecting on the difficult stretch of allowing the first run in three consecutive games, he said, “This game showed us the issues we’ve had this year.” Still, he said, “There are things we can look back on from today’s game and put to good use. It’s a traveling game, but we’ll prepare well and do our best,” as he looked ahead to the game against Lotte on the 30th (at Zozo Marine).

There were also moves with an eye to the future. On the 29th, two promising young players, Yoshino, the 2021 first-round draft pick, and Yoshino, the 2024 fifth-round draft pick, were promoted to the first team for the first time, and were immediately placed in starting line-up. Although they did not produce results, he said, “I hope you will make good use of what you have learned from your experience.” Regarding Muneyama, the 2024 first-round draft pick, who reached the required number of at-bats for the season, he said, “The fact that he was able to clear it is valuable. It is proof that he is working hard.” He expressed his hope that they will use their various experiences as a springboard for growth.

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・ [Scoreboard] Orix vs. Rakuten
・ DeNA manager Miura, who secured second place with a big win, said, “We’ll advance to the CS.” He is the first manager since Osamu Mihara to finish second or better multiple times.
・ [Rakuten] Takahiro Norimoto strikes out three batters for his 8th save. Manager Hajime Miki says, “The quality of the ball is improving” after nine games in June without runs.
・ “If we can do our best to win in the end,” says Rakuten ‘s Munesato, who “makes up” for his mistake just before the game with his first long hit as a pro, contributing to manager Miki’s “first win”
・ [Rakuten] CS advancement completely lost to Orix after a painful two-run home lose by Kosei Shoji