KIA’s renewal of contract failed Japan Takahashi lost despite five ⅓ of one earned run in his first NPB start
Takahashi started the game against the Orix Buffaloes in the 2024 NPB regular season held at Veruna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, Japan on Thursday, and pitched well in five ⅓ innings, allowing three hits, two walks, two strikeouts and two runs (one earned). As Seibu lost to Orix 1-2, Takahashi was bruised by the losing pitcher. 토토사이트
Takahashi, a third-generation Japanese-born Brazilian pitcher, recorded a 42-41 record with a 4.18 ERA in 131 minor league games from 2014 to 2021, and played for the World Baseball Classic Brazil team in 2017.
Takahashi experienced the Korean pro baseball in 2021 as a substitute for Aaron Brooks. Kia, which had lost ground in the fall baseball competition at the time, recruited Takahashi as a nurturing foreign pitcher for a total of 160,000 U.S. dollars. Takahashi, who had one win, three losses and a 4.91 ERA in seven KBO league games, turned to Japan and signed a contract with the Seibu Lions after failing to renew his contract with Kia.
Takahashi, who entered the NPB stage for the first time in 2022, successfully renewed his contract with a 2.56 ERA with two holds in 27 games. Takahashi, who continued his good performance with 28 losses and a 3.00 ERA last year, signed another contract with Seibu to prepare for his third season. At the time of the renewal, Hisanobu Watanabe also expressed his plan that Takahashi would challenge for the 2024 season as a starting pitcher.
In his debut game as a starting pitcher, Takahashi cruised to the Orix Buffaloes, the runner-up in last year’s Japanese Series. After three outs in both the first and second innings, Takahashi allowed Orix leadoff hitter Ryoichi Adachi to get on base for the first time in the top of the third inning with a walk. He then gave up the second base with a fastball (foil) and gave up one run with a sacrifice fly to Kenya Wakatsuki.
After the first run, Takahashi was on the verge of scoring again after being hit by a double by Shuhei Fukuda, but he handled the next batter, Masahiro Nishino, with a fly ball to second base and finished the third inning without additional runs.
Takahashi, who finished the fourth inning with three outs, faced another crisis in the top of the fifth inning. Takahashi, who gave Adachi a walk after one out, grounded out to first base Haruto Watanabe, and in the meantime, the runner advanced to second base. Takahashi, who was on the verge of hitting first and third bases with two outs due to Wakatsuki’s hit, took a breather after dealing with Fukuda with a fly ball to right field.
Takahashi, who also took the mound in the top of the sixth inning, faced a crisis of scoring a runner on second base with no outs after being hit by a double by leadoff hitter Masahiro Nishino. Takahashi, who struck out the next batter, Ryoma Nishikawa, threw 87 pitches and handed over the mound to Yoshinobu Mizukami after making his debut as a starter. After that, Mizukami hit a timely hit by Tomoya Mori and allowed the runner to lose a point, making Takahashi’s final record two runs.
Takahashi, who became a losing pitcher even after playing better-than-expected pitching in his first start, said after the game, “It was my first official game since I switched to the starting pitcher, and I’m glad that I finished it safely,” adding, “I was disappointed with the leadoff hitter’s walk and foil in the third inning, but I’m satisfied that I’ve been able to pitch well since then.”