After losing eight games in 10 games, he is still in first place, but he is still in the top position

Jun 21, 2025

Softbank Ishizuka hit a final double in the top of the 10th inning that separates the right-center. Softbank is at the top of the interleague. Hanshin had 12 hits and lost 1-2. Photo capture = Softbank Hawks SNS

Hanshin starter Murakami failed to win despite pitching eight innings of one run against Softbank on the 20th. Hanshin has remained atop in the Central League despite losing eight of its last 10 games. Photo capture = Hanshin Tigers SNS

The number one place is firmly maintained as the number one losses continue to build. I have to go back, but I'm not pushed back and it's the place. Such is the case with the Central League 'funny competition for rankings'.

The Hanshin Tigers, ranked first in the Central League, lost 1-2 to the Softbank Hawks, ranked third in the Pacific League, on the 20th. He gave up the winning run in the top of the 10th inning of extra time when the score was 1-1. Softbank Soichiro Ishizuka hit a timely double as a pinch hitter with two outs and third base. He hit a first-pitch fastball thrown by Hanshin left-hander Masaki Oyokawa to split the right-center field.

Right-hander Shota Murakami pitched eight innings of five hits and one run. Closer Suguru Iwasaki blocked one scoreless inning in the ninth inning, but he couldn't hold out more. The concentration of the batters was disappointing. He had 12 hits and scored only one point.

It's a nightmare interleague. He has lost eight games (2 wins) in the last 10 games against the Pacific League team. He was swept by the Seibu Lions on the 10th and 12th and the Rakuten Eagles on the 13th and 15th. It lost seven consecutive games until the game against the Chiba Lotte Marines on the 17th. He won consecutive games against Chiba Lotte on the 18th and 19th to avoid the worst. However, he shook his head in front of the home crowd on the first day of the last three consecutive games with the interleague's strongest Softbank. On this day, 42,636 people entered Koshien Stadium.

He has seven wins and nine losses in 16 interleague games and a winning percentage of 0.438. He is still No. 1 in the league even though he has more losses than wins in the interleague, which began on June 3. The gap with the second-place Yokohama BayStars widened to 3.5 games. Not only Hanshin but also the Central League struggled, so they were able to keep the lead.

On the 20th, the Central League team won just one game in six interleague games. The Yomiuri Giants beat the Seibu Lions 2-1.

Hanshin, the top player in the Central League, won 7-9 in the Interleague until the 20th. All six Central League teams, including Hanshin, have a winning rate below 50%. Hanshin's home ground Koshien Stadium. Photo capture = Hanshin Tigers SNS

Yokohama was also completely defeated by Chiba Lotte 1-6. Just like Hanshin, he has recorded 2-8 wins in the last 10 games. On the 18th, Hanshin was the only Central League team to laugh.

Until now, the Pacific League has been strong in interleague exchanges and interleague. The Pacific League dominated 16 times in 19 interleague seasons until last year. "Popularity is the Central League, and skill is the Pacific League."

The Pacific League is also strong this year. He had 57 wins, two draws and 36 losses until the 20th. With 13 games to go, they have already confirmed their dominance.

As of the 20th, Pacific League teams are ranked 1st to 6th, and Central League teams are ranked 7th to 12th. Softbank (11 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses), Orix Buffaloes and Nippon Ham Fighters (10 wins and 6 losses) are competing for the championship. There is no team with a winning rate of 50% in the Central League. Yakult Swallows had four wins, one draw and 11 losses, putting them on the floor.

Various analyses come out over such an advantage in the Pacific League. The most frequent appearance is the designated hitter system. In the Central League, pitchers ride without designated hitters

Interleague's strongest softbank. On the 20th, it won 2-1 with Hanshin in 10 extra innings. He will rank No. 1 in the Interleague until the 20th. Photo capture = Softbank Hawks SNS

It's hard. It is the only professional league among Korea, the U.S. and Japan that does not adopt the designated hitter system. The Pacific League, which has designated batters, has a wide range of players available. It is explained that more players have more opportunities than the Central League, so they are competitive. In the interleague, the rules of the league that host the game are followed.

One side says it is the result of different atmospheres between leagues. The Central League, where pitchers hit, is generally a small ball with a lot of operations. The bench frequently intervenes and leads. On the other hand, the Pacific League has a thicker line than the Central League. It is often left to players' individual abilities. Overall aggressive, bright and energetic.

On the other side, the Pacific League team thoroughly prepares for the interleague, but the Central League lacks that. It is pointed out that the Central League tends to be complacent.

The Central League has popular teams with a long history, including Yomiuri and Hanshin. The mainstream is a team based in a large city while representing the region. Overwhelmed the Perseepyrig in popularity and attendance. However, the gap has narrowed significantly in recent years. Pacific League teams have made great strides. Traditional equipment such as newspapers and railways