"It's dangerous. There's a risk of heatstroke." Nippon-Ham Ham Fighters manager Shinjo replaces Hiromi Ito, who was close to pitching complete game game, in the 8th inning | Pacific League - NPBHUB

２回１死一、三塁、死球を当てた仲田に謝罪する伊藤（左、カメラ・池内　雅彦）

◆ Pacific League Seibu 2-5 Nippon-Ham (27th, Belluna Dome)

　ベンチから見ていても、マウンド上の暑さが感じられた。気温３０度超で蒸し暑いベルーナＤ。４回途中、西武・今井が体調不良で降板するのを見た日本ハム・新庄監督は「今井君、トラウマにならなければいいけど…」と相手のエースをおもんぱかった。

Of course, he was also worried about his team’s ace pitcher, Ito. “He’s in danger. He’s at risk of heatstroke.” He gave up seven hit, 12 strike out, and two runs in eight innings. Even though he seemed on pace complete game, he was dared to be replaced.

In the second inning, he gave up the go-ahead run on an error by his teammates, and in the third inning he gave up two runs on a solo shot to left field by Kiyoshi Watanabe, but from the fourth inning onward, he got through the runs with a fastball over 150 kph and breaking ball splitter and cutter. The right-hander said of his league-leading eighth win, “I managed to pitch tenaciously, and even though I gave up the first run, it was nice to be able to throw a long inning. My control has gotten better as I go along.”

Thanks to Ito’s powerful pitching, who threw 127 pitches, the team has 14 points, the most this season. Despite the heat, the ace got off to a great start when the league resumed.