◇ Tohoku Rakuten Eagles vs Orix Buffaloes Game 25 (3rd, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

Tohoku Rakuten Eagles's pitcher Wataru Karashima took the mound for the final time in his active career.

Pitcher Karashima, who took the mound as the starter on this day. In the top of the 1st inning, against Ryoma Nishikawa, he threw a ball on the first pitch but took two consecutive strike. On the 4th pitch with a count 1-2, he induced a fly out to left on an outside high slider. Pitcher Karashima showed a smile with a look of relief, and shook hands with the fielder group gathered at the mound and pitching coach Koji Aoyama. He entrusted the rest to the second pitcher, fellow left-hander Tatsuki Koja, and returned to the dugout surrounded by loud applause from the entire stadium.

Pitcher Karashima joined Tohoku Rakuten Eagles as the 6th draft pick in 2008. After making his first-team debut in his rookie year, he experienced the team's first league title and Japan Series championship in 2013. In 2019, he contributed to the team mainly as a starter, recording a career-high 9 win. Although he underwent surgery on his left elbow last October, he overcame rehabilitation and returned to game action in a minor league game this June. This season, he had a record of 3 win, 1 loss, and an ERA 3.62 in 10 farm games. He will give a greeting in front of the fans at the retirement ceremony after the game.

◇ Pitcher Karashima Comment
"The cheers from the fans were amazing. I was incredibly happy. I'm glad I could throw strike. Thank you very much." (With a look of fulfillment)

◇ Pitcher Karashima Career Stats
211 games 56 win 74 losses 1007 innings pitched 701 strike out ERA 4.00

◇ Pitcher Karashima's Records
First appearance August 13, 2009 vs Fukuoka Softbank
First start May 1, 2012 vs Seibu Lions
First win May 1, 2012 vs Seibu Lions
1000 innings pitched achieved August 16, 2023 vs Seibu Lions