Major League Baseball Angels Shohei Otani scored his 15th win of the season on the 29th with no runs scored in eight innings against the Athletics.
He pitched with no hits until the middle of the 8th inning, and had only one inning left to reach the regular pitching inning of the season.
After the game, I answered questions from the Japanese and American media at the press conference room at the stadium.
QDo you have a desire to achieve a no-hitter no run someday in your life?
Before the A game starts, I always throw with that feeling.
I feel that way every game.
QDid you think you could achieve it today?
ATo be honest, it wasn't very straight or fast, and I think the good thing about this night was that the slider was good.
To be honest, I think that the condition itself was that far rather than throwing up to 8 innings.
Q Was the lack of straights according to the game plan?
AI threw the ball according to the plan to some extent, but I watched the batter's swing myself.
While looking at what type of pitch is a difficult swing to hit.
There were a lot of batters he hadn't played against much, so he threw into the cage, thinking he could see and feel it himself.
Q got hit for the first time and gestured towards the second.
A I thought it was a one-out, so I checked who would be in the second, but Fletch (Fletcher) said, "It's two outs," and this happened (waves his hand in front of his face).
Q: The two hits were hit after driving in, but were the balls what you were aiming for?
AYes, I have the impression that the first one is expensive.
The course was good, but I think the final impression is that it is expensive.
After all, when contact is made, a hit ball that flies in between will come out.
It was two outs, and I think it would have been best to strike out and return to the bench.
QDo you feel that you are having a better season overall than last year?
A I think so.
I tried it last year and it's clear that the overall numbers are better this year.
I feel like I'm playing by myself, and I think he's playing with more confidence than last year.
He won the MVP last year, but I'm confident that he's been able to spend a better season than that, and I think he's good.
QThere was an MVP call, but what do you think about the MVP competition?
AWell, I think the reporters are more knowledgeable about that (laughs).
I really want to do one game at a time, and I'm looking forward to seeing the judges.
I saw the 61st episode, and I think I'm enjoying it as a fan.
QOther than a no-hitter, what do you want to achieve most that you haven't achieved yet?
First of all, he hasn't pitched the 9th inning yet here (in America) before the A no-hitter.
I wish I could do it today, but first of all, it's kind of elementary.
In terms of level, it's lower than a no-hitter, but I think he's the best because he wants to throw the 9th inning.
Q How did you feel when you were hit?
A Well, "I was hit", "I was contacted".
As for me, of course, I'm going to strike out, so I regret that it was a little expensive, but I think it was good that I talked with Stassy at the end about choosing the type of pitch.
Q What is it that you are able to do such a performance at this time?
AIt's not just one day today, but I was able to have a good season last year.
The most important thing is whether or not he can really continue this year.
I think the regulation pitching is also important.
Strange story, I thought that whether I could be confident that it wasn't a fluke or not was the most important thing this year, because last year was good.
I think it's good that you've been able to continue that stably for a year.
Q How do you analyze the reason why you were not feeling well?
AWell, I think it's fair to say that there will be days like that.
Of course he would be the best if he could throw 100 miles every time, but he can't.
There are days like today when the slider bends slightly but the commands are good.
I think it's the most important thing to choose and choose a good place.
Q What is the atmosphere on the bench as the no-hitter continues?
When I'm throwing A, I'm basically the type who isn't on the bench, so I honestly didn't even watch the attack.
I don't know much about the atmosphere on the bench because he seems to go to bat after confirming what kind of situation it is when it comes to his turn at bat.
QHow do you analyze the factors that allowed you to pitch so far when you were not in good shape?
AWhile choosing the good points, he communicated well with Stassy and minimized the risk as much as possible.
It was 4-0, so it was pretty tough, but I tried not to save runners as much as possible.
The end was a bit dangerous, but other than that, I think it was good.
Q Coming to the end of the season, about fatigue.
A Well, I think that fatigue will build up after playing for a year, and I think it's because fielders have a tough body.
I'm not the only one, but I want to do my best.
Q You often throw sliders, but how do you feel about the progress you've made since last year?
AI think it's a pitch type that is thrown stably.
I think it's a stable type of pitch that makes games throughout the year.
Today's vertical slider was effective, and I think it was effective to throw in various shapes without relying on one amount of change.
There was only one inning remaining until the Q regulation pitching.
I really wish I could have thrown A, but I think I'd like to switch to one more inning, or one more game, and adjust again and do my best.
(At this point, Stassy, who will be interviewed next, enters and sits next to Otani, who also smiles.) QWhat
do you focus on and what do you think about the upcoming season?
Throwing A is to keep it to zero.
Strange story, because of course it doesn't change whether there are customers or not.
Among them, if he can pitch in a way that will please the fans who came today, he will be the best, and I think the most exciting thing about him is that he can line up as many zeros as possible even in one inning.
As for the turn at bat, of course, I would like to be able to prepare as many times as possible to get good results with good turn at bats.
I want to do my best in the next few games.
Q How did you feel when you were pitching in an atmosphere where the fans were all standing up?
Getting an A strikeout and coming back to the bench is what's best for the team and the fans.
Of course, I think it's the best answer for me too, so I think that he couldn't do it, or that he created a pinch at the end.
I want to do my best again.