In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the DeNA baseball team fell to the Hanshin Tigers 2-4 on Thursday, April 24, 2025, marking their fifth consecutive loss of the season. This defeat not only deepens their struggles at the bottom of the league but also ties their debt at six, matching their worst record from June 8, 2024. The team, once considered a powerhouse, is now grappling with a series of disappointing performances.
DeNA started the game on a high note, taking an early lead in the first inning. With two outs and a runner on second, Miki connected with a well-placed outside cutter from Hanshin’s Tomita, driving in a timely hit to left field. This allowed Sano to score, giving DeNA a 1-0 advantage. Shortly after, Sano himself delivered a clutch hit, extending the lead to 2-0 as he brought another runner home.
However, the excitement was short-lived. Starting pitcher Ohnuki showed promise, delivering a solid performance by allowing just one run over six innings, throwing 97 pitches and striking out several batters. His efforts kept the team in a favorable position, leading 2-1 as they headed into the seventh inning. Yet, the dreaded "magic seventh" would soon prove to be DeNA's undoing.
In the seventh, with two outs and nobody on base, Mori, the second reliever for DeNA, faced Chikamoto, who promptly hit a double to left field. This hit set the stage for Nakano, who followed with a timely single, tying the game at 2-2. The momentum shifted dramatically when Morishita, who took the mound next, allowed a two-run home run to Morishita, effectively sealing DeNA's fate as they fell behind 4-2.
Despite their initial lead and Ohnuki's commendable performance, the inability to maintain the advantage in the crucial seventh inning has left the team and fans disheartened. Coach Miura expressed his disappointment, stating, "We had a good start and were able to take the lead, which we hadn’t done in the last few games. But we need to find a way to hold onto that lead and build from it. We showed some good moments, but we need to get better at closing out games." His words echo the sentiments of a team that once stood at the top but is now struggling to regain its footing.
As the innings progressed, DeNA attempted to rally in the ninth. With two outs, a pinch hit from Matsuo and a single from Mimori set the stage for a potential comeback. The team found themselves with runners on first and third, but the rally fell short as Ebiwara struck out, solidifying the loss.
This defeat marks a troubling trend for DeNA, as they have now scored only two runs in each of their last five games, a stark contrast to their season-high of nine runs achieved against the Giants on April 17. The team’s batting lineup has struggled to find consistency, leading to questions about their offensive strategy. Miura has made adjustments, moving Ebiwara to the second spot and Kiyota to third, but the results have yet to reflect any improvement.
Fans and analysts alike are beginning to wonder what the future holds for DeNA. With a roster that was expected to dominate the league, the current performance has sparked debates and concerns among supporters. The team’s inability to maintain leads and their offensive struggles have placed them in a precarious situation as they look to turn their season around.
As DeNA prepares for their next matchup, all eyes will be on how they respond to this latest setback. Can they break the cycle of defeat and reclaim their spot among the league leaders? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the pressure is mounting, and the next game will be crucial for their morale and standings.
