◇ Orix Buffaloes vs Saitama Seibu Lions 13th Game (3rd, Hotto Motto Field Kobe)

Ryosuke Moriwaki pitcher of the Saitama Seibu Lions made his first first-team appearance in three years.

pitcher Moriwaki took the mound in the bottom of the sixth inning with the team trailing by one run. After the leadoff Keita Nakagawa hit the first pitch, he faced a hit and Walk with two outs and bases loaded in trouble. He faced Ryoma Nishikawa pitch there, but on the fourth pitch from count-2, the breaking ball inside pitch, he retired to struck out and escaped with no runs.

pitcher Moriwaki started pitching in the first team from his rookie year in 2019, and from 2020 to 2022, he appeared in over 40 games each season, making him an indispensable part of the reliever. However, in July 2023, he was diagnosed with right brachial artery occlusion and underwent surgery, and from the following year onward, he signed a developmental contract. He underwent a long rehabilitation process and has consistently pitched in the farm team.

This season, he appeared in 23 games in the minors, posting an impressive ERA 0.79 and returning to the main roster on June 30. He was promoted to the first team on the 2nd, marking his first appearance since returning to the regular roster.

Text by Aoi Nishijima