I think I can't sleep today because I'm angry. I missed it in front of a no-hitter, but ERA 1.15 was ranked first, and the 76th designated pitcher among 77 rookies four years ago turned the tables

Jun 20, 2025

Nihonham right-hander Kitayama threw a complete game against Yomiuri in 9 innings on the 19th. When he gave up a home run after one out in the ninth inning, a no-hitter flew away. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS

Kitayama finished the game by throwing a 153km/h fastball to the last batter after two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. It overwhelmed the Yomiuri batters throughout the game. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS

Kitayama is the eighth-designated 2022 rookie draft player. It was selected as the 76th out of 77 officially nominated by 12 clubs that year. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS

There are two out-counts left until 'no hit, no run'. He continued his perfect pitching by giving up only one walk until the bottom of the ninth inning with one out. We have no choice but to be conscious of the milestone that is approaching. After a while, cheers and sighs broke out in the stands of the Tokyo Dome. A no-hitter flew away with a home run. Yomiuri Giants No. 9 catcher Takumi Oshiro (32) hit a superior home run against Nippon Ham Fighters right-hander Koki Kitayama (26). He properly targeted a fork ball that fell to the lower end of the in-course. It was Yomiuri's first and only hit. Kitayama stood idly for a while.

He gave up a home run, but continued his overwhelming performance. He caught No. 1 Maru Yoshihiro with a ground ball to the first base and handled No. 2 Nakayama Raito with a fly ball to the left field. The 122nd and final ball thrown against the last batter hit '153 km' per hour. His maximum speed was 155 kilometers per hour on the day.

Not a single runner was allowed until the 7th inning with 2 outs. The first runner was sent out with a walk, breaking the perfect score. Kitayama said in an interview after the game that he was fortunate to play the role of a starting pitcher. However, I may not be able to sleep today because I am angry."

One hit, one walk, five strikeouts, and one run in nine innings. He won his fifth game of the season with a complete game. He brought down his ERA to 1.15. He filled the regulation innings and beat Seibu Lions ace Tatsuya Imai (1.17). He became the No. 1 ERA in the Pacific League. It ranks first overall including the Central League.

He took the mound 10 times as a starter this season. He finished eight games with quality starts (more than six innings as a starter, less than three earned runs). Of these, three were complete games, with an average of more than seven innings. In the last six games, he has pitched more than eight innings four times. On May 21, he completed nine innings of four hits and one run against the Softbank Hawks and added a complete game in a month. It makes manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo laugh in every game.

A right-hander in his fourth year as a professional. There is another reason Kitayama is in the spotlight.

The Japanese Professional Baseball Rookie Draft held in October 2021. Kitayama, a senior at Kyoto Industrial University, submitted a draft application and waited. New draft starts

Oshiro Yomiuri, who broke Kitayama's no-hitter with a home run after one out in the ninth inning. He hit a superior one-run home run. Photo capture =Miuri Giants SNS

It's been two hours, but the name didn't come out. I would have emptied my mind and thought of a different path. But Nihonham called Kitayama at the end. It was the last nomination in the eighth round. It was selected as the 76th out of 77 officially nominated by 12 clubs that year. It's like the last train. Japanese media said he shed tears in the player's waiting room.

Kitayama experienced one failure in 2017, just before graduating from high school. I didn't get a professional nomination. I went to college and dreamed of becoming a professional player.

He had a hard time becoming a professional player. The top-ranked designated player is drawing attention. First, opportunities are given to them. That's the case with professional menstruation. But Kitayama was different. There was a leader who recognized his talent and potential.

In the winter of his first year, he started in the second-tier camp. Coach Shinjo, who visited the second division, saw Kitayama throw from the bullpen. The next day, I went straight to the first team camp. Confidence has been built up through practice games and exhibition games. But something that no one expected happened. Manager Shinjo announced rookie pitcher as the starting pitcher for the opening game. It was a huge surprise.

Softbank and the opening game. He started and recorded two scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and three walks, but finished without losing a point. Did a good job of playing the opener. After that, he moved to the bullpen and played 55 games in the first year. He also finished the game in the middle. 3 wins, 5 losses, 16 holds, 9 saves - ERA 3.51. Rookie Draft 8th round pick pitcher,

Kitayama finished eight out of 10 games this season with quality starts. He plays more than seven innings per game on average. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS

The 'Godjo Children' is now the main starter for Nippon Ham. Kitayama played for Japan in the Premier 12 last year.

The team has nine wins and six losses in the interleague. The Nippon-Ham team is rapidly leading the Pacific League. He is in first place, 2.5 games ahead of the Orix Buffaloes.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.