◇ Saitama Seibu Lions vs Orix Buffaloes 8th Round (23rd, Belluna Dome)

​Orix Buffaloes Raiku Katayama pitcher delivered a strong 2-inning runs in relief.

Despite trailing, he entered the mound from the sixth inning. In the bottom of the sixth, with two outs, he got Nevin out on a Walk, but struck out the in-form Taiga Kojima swinging struck out. Furthermore, in the bottom of the seventh, he retired all closer three batters in order, including swinging struck out against Shinya Hasegawa who had hit a timely hit in the bottom of the fifth, and finished his pitching with a strong outing spanning innings.

This marks Katayama's fourth consecutive runs and his ERA has dropped to 1.80 pitcher. Although he has continued to pitch from behind, he has been tightening the game with excellent relief.

Text by Ryo Aritake