◇ Saitama Seibu Lions vs. Orix Buffaloes 25th Round (29th, Belluna Dome)

Orix Buffaloes Starting pitcher Kaisei Tomatsu pitcher pitched a career-best six innings, finishing with two runs.
　
Right after taking the lead by one run, Higashimatsu pitcher retired all three in order in the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the second, he gave up a go-ahead two-run homer from player Shinya Hasegawa, but then did not allow runner for three consecutive inning. In the bottom of the sixth, with two outs and hit and two Walk, he faced bases loaded trouble, but ultimately got Kazunari Ishii out on a grounder to shortstop and threw 89 pitches in the sixth inning, 3 hit, 3 Walk, 4 strike out, 2 runs to get mound out.
　
pitcher Higashimatsu made his first start of the season in his previous appearance on the 22nd, against Chiba Lotte Marines, marking his first professional win. Although he did not secure his second win, he achieved his first professional QS by closer runs by Home Run.

◇ pitcher Higashimatsu Comment
"I think I was able to play in the zone from the very first inning, learning from my previous outing. My form was good, and I wanted to throw longer inning than last time, so I'm glad I managed to pitch through the sixth inning. Because of that, I had to defend the home run in the second inning, and it's frustrating."

Text by Riane Ueno