Hanshin Tigers right-handed pitcher Shoki Murakami (25) started the game against the Yomiuri Giants on April 12 and pitched perfect until the bottom of the 7th inning. He struck out five without allowing a single batter to get on base. However, in the top of the 8th inning with a 1-0 lead, manager Akinobu Okada pinch-hit Murakami’s at-bat. The number of pitches was only 84, but there was controversy because the pitcher who was pitching perfectly was replaced. Although the relief pitcher allowed the score to be tied in the bottom of the 8th inning, losing his first professional win, it was a 7-inning perfect game that clearly made Murakami’s name known.메이저사이트

Graduated from Toyo University and entered as the 5th pick in the 2021 draft. Last year, his second year in the league, he lost 1 game in 2 first-team games and had an ERA of 16.88.

A pitcher who failed to win even a single game in his past two seasons has leapt to become an ace this season. Murakami earned his first professional win on April 22 with a nine-inning shutout against the Chunichi Dragons. He appeared in 22 games this season, with 10 wins and 6 losses, and an earned run average of 1.75. He ranked first in the Central League in earned run average and fifth in wins. He pitched 5⅓ innings last year, but this year he took responsibility for 144⅓ innings, exceeding the required number of innings.

Murakami prepared for fall baseball after pitching 5 innings and 64 pitches against Chunichi on September 25th. In fact, it was an extended break considering the innings pitched this year, his debut season. Murakami, who came out well rested as the coaching staff intended, led his first fall baseball game to victory.

Game 1 of the Central League Climax Series Final Stage held at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture on the 18th. Against the Hiroshima Carp, he pitched well, allowing 3 hits and 1 run until the 6th inning. The starting pitcher hit the final double at the plate. He won the game thanks to his outstanding two-hit performance.

In the top of the 4th inning with the score tied 0-0, Hiroshima scored first. Leadoff hitter Kaito Gojono hit a triple to right field against Murakami. He scored 1 run with a sacrifice hit with 1 out and 3rd base on base.

Hanshin’s counterattack immediately followed. With one out in the bottom of the fourth inning, No. 3 Shota Morishita hit a tying home run. 1-1.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Hanshin’s lower-order batting lineup showed strength.

With one out, No. 7 Seishiro Sakamoto reached base with a bases loaded ball. Number 8, Seiya Kinami hit a right-handed hit. With one out and runners on 1st and 3rd base, #9 Murakami hit a timely double with 1 RBI to right field. He caught the first pitch changeup thrown by Hiroshima right-handed starting pitcher Guri Aren. A come-from-behind final hit that led to a 4-1 victory.

Murakami said, “I was nervous from the moment I arrived at the stadium. It was good to pitch the first game with tension. There was a good hitter waiting behind me (in the bottom of the 5th inning, with one out and 1st and 3rd bases), so I thought I shouldn’t hit a double play, but I was glad that the ball missed.” He said. Murakami struck out on a missed swing in his first at-bat in the bottom of the third inning.

Next, with one out and runners on second and third base, No. 1 Koji Jikamoto hit a timely hit with two RBIs. In an instant, the flow passed to Hanshin.

Murakami is the first pitcher from Hanshin to have an RBI in a postseason game. After the Climax Series was introduced in the Central League, 95.2% of teams that won the first game of the final stage advanced to the Japan Series. The team ranked first in the league begins the final stage with a one-win advantage.