Losing to Lotte and crisis of falling to the top … Questions felt by the “strange plan” of Softbank Takatani Stamen | Full-Count

Moore, the starting pitcher, was hit by a round of batters in the second inning and lost 5 points at a time.

■ Lotte 7-4 Softbank (25, ZOZO Marine)

On the 25th, Softbank fought the first battle with Lotte in 2nd place at the ZOZO marine stadium on enemy land, losing 7-4 and losing 5 consecutive games. In the second inning, Moore, who started the game, was hit by a round of batters and scored 5 goals. I reached for him at one point, but couldn’t reach him from behind.

That day, director Kimiyasu Kudo took a drastic measure. The initial mask was entrusted to veteran Yusuke Takatani in place of the usual receiver Takuya Kai. It seems that Lotte, who has been a natural enemy since last season, has a tendency to distribute the ball. However, Moore, the starter, will form a battery with Takatani for the first time this season.

As a result, 6 hits were concentrated by an allied error in the 2nd inning, and 5 points were lost at a time on the batters lunge. Moore rallied from the third inning and pitched it in the middle of the eighth inning, but as a result these 5 points weighed heavily. In the eighth inning, Matsumoto, who took the spot, was stabbed with two added points. This resulted in four consecutive losses against Lotte, and this season’s match record was 3 wins, 9 losses and 1 draw.

It was a drastic appointment from Takatani, but it came to “counterproductive effect.” The question was, why was the receiver changed at this time?

Moore has started six games so far this season, all of which have teamed up with Kai. Seibu’s game on the first board was a fire with 6 goals in the 4th inning, but since then he has continued to shoot good shots and won 3 straight wins. Moore often expressed his gratitude for Kai’s leadership after the match, which gave him deep confidence in the role of his wife, who had been communicating closely.

As I mentioned earlier, leaders may have been concerned about the leading side trend. However, Moore and Kai’s drums played Lotte on September 4, and although the number of balls increased, they held to 1 goal in the middle of the sixth inning. As for this combination, it was never hit.