The 51st Tiger Win That Shone on Yuki Nishi
4/30 Yakult 2-10 Hanshin (Jingu)
Win: Nishi, Loss: Takanashi
Okajo is on fire. Starting as the number two left fielder for the second day in a row, he hit from his first at-bat and had a multi-hit game.
Baseball is just so much fun. For those watching, and surely for him as well.
Perhaps inspired by Okajo, the batting lineup was also active.
Obata had his first four-hit game of his professional career, including an RBI hit for the second day in a row.
Fushimi, who had been struggling at the plate, hit two RBI singles. Saying "surprisingly" might be rude. But it's the truth (lol).
Kumagai, who was playing second base, got his first RBI hit of the season, which was a delight to see.
Even Nakano, who was taking a break, came in as a pinch hitter and got an RBI hit.
Oyama hit an RBI single in the first inning with the bases loaded.
And Sato Teruaki, who struck out four times yesterday, hit a solo home run the moment he made contact. With this 7th home run and 3 hits and 2 RBIs, Sato has secured the monthly triple crown for April.
As a team, we won comfortably with 16 hits and double-digit runs. Ah, that feels good! (lol)
The starting pitcher was Yuki Nishi.
Last year, due to the effects of an injury, he only made one appearance.
As for his last win, it dates back to August two years ago. That was his 50th win as a Tiger. I never imagined it would take so long to get the 51st.
His fresh start was with Fushimi, a peer who also formed a battery with him at his old team, Orix.
I was worried when he gave up home runs to two consecutive batters.
In the past, there were times when he would pitch with good tempo but then get sloppy and get hit hard.
But today's Nishi was different. He pitched very carefully after that. You can see the determination Nishi put into today's game.
"I know what my position is"—
The words of an 18th-year veteran carry weight.
With young players rising and the age where retirement crosses one's mind. I'm sure he used that in a negative sense.
But you know, as a team, I think that is exactly the position where Nishi is needed and reliable.
Alright, I'm going to make you work!
Five innings is too short like today! (lol)
Yuasa, Kudo, Hayakawa, and Ishiguro, who pitched after Nishi! Thank you for the scoreless relay!