In a thrilling clash at Belluna Dome on April 18, 2025, the Seibu Lions triumphed over the SoftBank Hawks with a score of 2-1, marking a significant turnaround for the team this season. The star of the night was Seibu's pitcher Tatsuya Imai, who, despite not achieving a no-hitter, delivered an impressive performance, allowing only one earned run over eight innings while striking out several key batters.
Imai, 26, faced a challenging start, walking the leadoff hitter Kawatani in the first inning. However, he quickly regained his composure, striking out Naoki Sato with a blazing 155 km/h fastball and forcing groundouts from both Kurihara and Yamakawa. As the game progressed, Imai showcased his dominance, maintaining control and frustrating the SoftBank lineup.
It wasn't until the seventh inning that Imai faced adversity. After issuing a second walk to Sato, he found himself in a tight spot with runners on first and third. A groundout by Yamakawa allowed Sato to score, marking Imai's first earned run allowed in 22 innings, a streak that dated back to the season opener against Nippon-Ham on March 28.
Despite the setback, Imai remained focused and closed out the eighth inning with a strikeout, finishing the night with 117 pitches thrown. His performance was a vital contribution to Seibu's third consecutive victory, bringing their record to .500 after a rocky start that saw them lose their first four games of the season.
Post-game, Imai expressed his emotions during the hero interview, stating, "Thank you! It feels great to win at home, especially after not being able to do so for a while. My goal is always to keep a zero on the scoreboard, and I was aiming for that throughout the game.” He reflected on the pressure of the seventh inning, saying, "I just focused on getting the next out, and thanks to my teammates, we pushed through.”
Seibu's victory was particularly noteworthy as it marked the first time since 1964 that a team achieved a no-hit, one-run win, a feat that highlighted the significance of Imai's performance. The relief pitcher Taira completed the game, securing the win by retiring the side in the ninth without allowing any hits.
This game was also part of the Lions' 75th-anniversary series, adding an extra layer of importance to the matchup. Imai acknowledged this historical context, stating, "I am grateful to the legends who have built this tradition. I want to continue to play in a way that honors the Lions' name.”
With this victory, Seibu has not only improved their standings but also gained momentum as they look to build on this success. Imai urged fans to keep supporting the team, saying, "We have a lot of energy right now. Let’s win this series and continue our three-game winning streak. Please come out to the stadium tomorrow! Thank you!"
The Lions are now poised to capitalize on their recent success, and fans will be eager to see if they can maintain this upward trajectory in the coming games.
