Infielder Teruaki Sato (22 = Kindai University), who ranked first in the Hanshin Draft, advanced every day to overtake Mr. Arrancó in Orix’s match with “5th right wing”. He was designated for cleanup for two consecutive games. The third at-bat in the seventh inning, which was greeted with the withdrawal of two at-bats, had a broken bat at a 136km inside angle at Abe. Although he made a mistake and went to base, a backup runner was sent and replaced. I went down to the bench with no hits in 3 at-bats.

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Teruaki Sato was launched by Miyagi, the left arm that entered Orix’s initial rotation. The first at bat in the second inning was struck out in a curveball, and the second at bat in the fifth inning was struck out with a slider.

Not just Teruaki Sato, but all of Hanshin’s hitters were completely defeated in Nashida vs. Miyagi. In the second inning, he swam around the corner immediately after showing a 148km straight line, struck out and got stuck on pitch with a throwing difference five times. A year ago, Miyagi showed growth although his left arm went limp when he threw a changeable ball. In the future, it will be possible to adjust the speed in this way. There was a harvest even though I had retired from three at-bats.

7 times. The third at-bat against Abe on the right instead fouled the third ball that reached the inside corner from the second ball. He hit a 2-1 straight ball at 136kg and it was a grounder (recorded by Ota’s misstep).

From Nashida Catcher’s perspective, there is no doubt that from now on he will be able to attack the field more and more. However, although the result was a ground ball, it was significant that Teruaki Sato shook off the previous two balls. This is because a full hit will give the drums the fear of “if you make a mistake, you can hit a long hit.”

Ogawa, Yakult’s opening pitcher, should also be shaken by interlocking changing balls like cut balls and forks.

The foul in front of Nashida Nigoro was connected, so it is better to catch it a little earlier and hit the light line. It is not a disadvantageous account, so a drastic swing in that situation should affect the next ball to be thrown. From now on, it will not only be “technology” and “power”, but also “reading” and “haggling”.

[Entrevista / Composición = Hirokazu Terao, editor en jefe]