The game against the Kawasaki Lights began with Mitamura on the mound. He started with a straight fastball, low and center, which the batter let pass. The scoreboard displayed 147 km/h. Thrown from his tall height, the ball seemed sharper and faster than when I first saw him. *Rehabilitation had indeed made him stronger.*
For the second pitch, Mitamura threw another fastball, right down the middle. The batter swung but was way too late. The speed gun showed 148 km/h.
The third pitch was another fastball, high in the zone. The batter swung through the air, clocking in at 151 km/h. Three pitches, three strikes. *What a fantastic start.*
Mitamura faced the second batter next. After getting two strikes, he threw a curveball for a ball and then a low outside fastball. The batter swung and missed. Two strikeouts in a row.
The third batter went down on three pitches as well. Mitamura walked briskly back to the bench.
"Nice pitching," I called out to him.
"It's your turn next, Takashi. I'm counting on you," he replied.
*After witnessing such brilliant pitching, how could I not be fired up?*
In the bottom of the first inning, I stepped into the batter's box. Kawasaki Lights' starting pitcher, Yoshinaka, was drafted the same year as me and Mitamura. He was a right-handed pitcher in his third year after high school, joining the team as the first round after pitcher Sugisawa. Although he had yet to win a game in the first team, he was a promising talent.
The first pitch was a low, middle fastball. *I've been waiting for this.* I swung with all my might, feeling the ball hit the sweet spot. It soared to center field as the center fielder chased it.
"Come on," I whispered, running toward first base. The center fielder jumped, but the third base umpire waved his hands. Home run!
*My first professional home run, even if it's in the minor league.* I jogged around the bases, savoring the joy. *It feels like high school all over again.*
Mitamura and I high-fived when I returned to the bench. Then I high-fived Taniguchi. "Your turn next. I'm counting on you, Taniguchi."
With one out and a runner on first, Taniguchi hit a two-run homer to center field. *Why is this guy still in the second team?*
"It's Haratani's turn next," I called out as Haratani headed to the on-deck circle. He grinned, made a fist, and pointed his thumb down. *Wrong gesture, buddy. You might get punched in a foreign country for that.*
With two outs and no runners on base, Haratani's hit flew to center field at a good angle. He quickly pumped his fist in excitement and ran to first base, but it was just a routine fly ball. *Typical Haratani.*
Mitamura continued his stellar performance, not allowing a single base runner in the second and third innings, striking out six batters by the end of the third.
I led off the bottom of the third inning. With two balls and two strikes, I grounded out to right field. *Two hits in two at-bats, not bad.*
The next batter attempted to steal second base, but the second and third batters struck out. With two outs and a runner on second, Taniguchi stepped up. After two balls, he hit the third pitch into the right-field stands. *Second consecutive home run. Why are you in the second team, Taniguchi?* Even Yoshinaka, the pitcher, must be wondering the same thing. Taniguchi excelled in the minors but struggled against first-string pitchers. *The difference in pitch quality between the first and second divisions is immense.*
In the fourth inning, Mitamura allowed the first batter to reach on an infield hit to third base, but he struck out the next two batters and induced a grounder to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, Haratani led off. Maybe he was trying too hard for a home run because he struck out on three pitches.
Top of the fifth inning. Mitamura struck out all three batters. He pitched five innings, striking out 11 of the 16 batters he faced. He left the mound at the end of the inning, leaving an impressive mark with his powerful pitching.
*Hard work may not always be rewarded, but sometimes it pays off.* Mitamura's comeback reinforced this lesson.
By the way, Haratani hit a home run in his fourth at-bat, but by then, Mitamura was on the bench with ice on his arm. *Typical Haratani.*
Mitamura's first professional start ended perfectly. He pitched five innings, allowed only one hit, no runs, and became the winning pitcher. All three of us from the same draft year hit home runs.