Pacific League Lotte 9-2 Rakuten (April 14, 2024 Rakuten Mobile)
Photo by Sponichi
Lotte pitcher Aki Sasaki (22), making his third start this season, pitched well, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned) in seven innings, with seven strikeouts. Backed by strong support with 15 hits and 9 runs, all starting pitchers had hits and he earned his third consecutive victory in the season opener after five consecutive victories in 2022 and four consecutive victories in 2023.
In the hero’s interview after the match, he looked back and said, “Today I managed to bowl a long innings with the help of the batting line, so I’m happy,” and he said of the batting line, which gave him five runs from the first inning, “They did what I expected.” Thanks for your humor.
“I tried my best to bowl with a good rhythm and at my pace so as not to pick up runners,” he said with a smile, adding, “I think the batting lineup will do its best next week too, so I do cheering for them. ”Thank you for your support,” he said, receiving applause from Lotte fans gathered in enemy territory.
In the stands of the match against Orix (ZOZO Marine) on the 7th, where we got our first victory of the season, I said: “I received support points for a year.” “My balls haven’t been very fast lately… so I’m not too tired.” “There are only 150 of them. Now that he doesn’t appear anymore, I think he can still throw,” Akira Sasaki joked. Even on this day he thrilled the fans with his throws and comments.
In the first inning, with two outs, Akira Sasaki was caught by Rakuten’s Asamura with a 95-mile high fastball, his first hit of the season. In the 6th inning, he lost his second run due to an error by his teammates, but with two outs and 3rd base, he stepped up his game and hit the game’s fastest 90-mile throw with his first pitch at Okajima. He pitched well, throwing 106 pitches in 7 innings, giving up 3 hits and 2 runs.
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