Rookie Sensation Ori Furutajima Makes History with 50-Pitch Masterclass, Manager’s Humble Response Steals the Show
Pacific League Orix 4-2 Lotte (September 26, 2024 ZOZO Marine)
Orix’s No. 6 overall draft pick, Furutashima, pitched in his 50th game this season without giving up a run.
He pitched in the eighth inning with a 2-run lead. With two outs, Sho Nakamura hit a ball to left field, and then a wild pitch on the second pitch to the pinch hitter, Kakuchu, allowed the runner on first base to advance, but he blew and hit Kakuchu. He delivered a powerful punch that has become a hot topic this season as the “Furutajima winner.”
“I didn’t expect to be able to throw like this. I’m nervous every day. I’m scared because I have too much rookie luck. I’ve been able to throw in a lot of different situations, so I think it’s been a really good experience.”
He has now reached the 50-start mark, and his ERA is 0.79. If he continues to finish the season with 50 pitches and a 0-run ERA, he will be the second player on the team since Higa in 2014, and the first Pacific League rookie to achieve that feat.
Manager Nakajima praised Furutajima, saying, “At first, I didn’t have much confidence in him, but gradually he took over.” He expressed his hopes for the end of the season, “If only he was healthy.” Furutashima himself also promised to pitch with passion in the remaining games, saying, “I’ll come back with zero and do my best.”