On April 8, 2025, Seibu's pitcher Koina Takahashi took the mound at Belluna Dome against Lotte, aiming for his first win in 576 days. Unfortunately, he was unable to secure that elusive victory, as the game ended with Seibu losing 3-7. Takahashi pitched 5 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 run, while striking out 3 batters and issuing 3 walks.
Takahashi's last win came on September 10, 2023, against Nippon Ham, and since then, he has endured a 12-game losing streak. This season has been particularly challenging for him, as he had previously pitched on March 30 against Nippon Ham, where he allowed 6 runs over 5 innings, resulting in another loss.
During the game on April 8, Takahashi faced a tough start. In the first inning, with two outs, he allowed a double to Fujiwara, putting him in a tight spot. After hitting Soto with a pitch, he surrendered a timely hit to Gregorio Polanco, which allowed Lotte to score the first run of the game. Despite this rocky beginning, Seibu's offense quickly responded, tying the game with a sacrifice fly from Nebitt.
As the game progressed, Takahashi displayed resilience. He pitched effectively, navigating through several jam situations without allowing any further runs. His performance included 89 pitches, and although he faced runners on base, he managed to keep the score tied at 1-1 when he was replaced after the fifth inning.
After the game, Takahashi reflected on his performance, stating, "I was able to pitch tenaciously for the first time in a while." He emphasized the importance of communication with his catcher, Furukoga, noting that they would continue to work on their chemistry to improve in future outings. "I think it's positive that I was able to pitch like this, and if I can keep this up, I feel I can improve further," he added.
Seibu's manager, Nishi-kuchi, assessed Takahashi's outing as "so-so," indicating that while he did not perform poorly, he also did not excel. The decision to pull him from the game was based on his high pitch count and the need to bring in fresh arms. He explained, "The content wasn't looking that good. Since they had a lineup with left-handed hitters, it was about time to make a change."
As Seibu's losing streak extended, they faced mounting pressure to turn their fortunes around. The team has not won since April 14, 2024, against SoftBank, and Takahashi's struggles have been a significant part of that narrative. His performance on April 8, while showing signs of improvement, still leaves him one loss away from tying the franchise record for consecutive losses held by Koichiro Kanzaki.
In the later innings, Seibu's bullpen struggled to maintain the tie. After Takahashi's departure, reliever Sato allowed 2 runs, and another pitcher, Kuroki, gave up 4 runs, widening the gap. The game ultimately slipped away from Seibu, despite a late rally in the ninth inning when 41-year-old Takeya Nakamura hit a 2-run homer, marking his first of the season and extending his record of consecutive seasons with a home run to 22.
Despite the loss, there were bright spots for Seibu. Young player Watanabe recorded 3 hits during the game, boosting his batting average to .452, which ranks him second in the league. His performance has been a silver lining in an otherwise challenging season for the team.
As the season progresses, the focus will be on whether Takahashi can finally break his winless streak and help lead Seibu back to victory. With the right adjustments and continued determination, both he and the team hope to turn the tide in their favor.
The game against Lotte was just another chapter in a long season, but for Takahashi, it was a chance to build on his performance and strive for that long-awaited win. Fans are eager to see if he can translate this potential into a victory in his next start.
