Softbank Beat Orix 7-1 as Pitcher Otsu Gets First 10th Win
Listen to the story
The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks beat the Orix Buffaloes 7-1 in a baseball game on August 22. The match was played at Mizuho PayPay stadium.
Softbank pitcher Otsu had a great game. He allowed only one run to Orix during the match. This victory was his 10th win of the season, and it was the first time he has reached 10 wins in his career.
Three Softbank batters hit home runs during the game. They were Kondo, Kurihara, and Yanagita. Their powerful hits helped the team score seven runs in total.
Another important moment came from Nakamura Akira. He played in a comeback game after being away from the team for some time. Fans were moved to see him return to the field.
The win shows that Softbank's pitching and batting are both working well this season. Otsu's strong performance on the mound kept Orix from scoring more than once. Meanwhile, the home runs from three different players showed the team's offensive strength.
This game took place as part of the regular season, and it will likely help Softbank's overall standing in the league.
Vocabulary9 words
- stadium
- a big place where people watch sports
- pitcher
- the baseball player who throws the ball
- run
- one point in baseball
- victory
- when a team wins
- batter
- the player who tries to hit the ball
- home run
- a big hit that scores a point easily
- comeback
- returning after being away
- mound
- the small hill where a pitcher stands
- standing
- a team's position in the league table
Quiz
Answer key
1. 7-1 for Softbank 2. It was his first 10th win of a season 3. Three
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks beat the Orix Buffaloes 7-1 in a baseball game on August 22. The match was played at Mizuho PayPay _____.
Softbank _____ Otsu had a great game. He allowed only one _____ to Orix during the match. This _____ was his 10th win of the season.
Three Softbank _____ hit _____ during the game. They were Kondo, Kurihara, and Yanagita.
Another important moment came from Nakamura Akira. He played in a _____ game after being away from the team for some time.
Otsu's strong performance on the _____ kept Orix from scoring more than once.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think a pitcher's 10th win is an important achievement in baseball?
- How do home runs change the excitement of a baseball game?
- Why might fans feel emotional when a player returns after time away from the team?
- What other sports have similar 'comeback' moments that fans find moving?