Major League Baseball Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga started pitching in an exhibition game against the Athletics held in Arizona on the 14th, pitching well through the fifth inning with no runs and nine strikeouts.

Seiya Suzuki, who started this game as number two and left fielder, had two hits and one RBI in three at-bats.

Pitcher Imanaga started pitching in the exhibition game against the Athletics held in Mesa, Arizona, and had eight strikeouts through the fourth inning, including all three outs with strikeouts.



In the fifth inning, he struck out the first batter and got off the mound after being hit by the next batter, and the home fans applauded Imanaga.



In Pitcher Imanaga's third appearance in the exhibition game, he pitched 4 and 1/3 innings, allowing three hits, no runs, nine strikeouts, giving up no walks, and not allowing the opposing batting line to step on second base. It was a good pitch.



His ERA in open games so far is 4.66.



In addition, Suzuki, who started this game as No. 2 and left fielder, made a timely two-base hit to left field in his first at-bat of the 1st inning, with no out runner on first base.



In his second at-bat, he fell to a fly ball to center field, but in his third at-bat, he again hit a two-base hit to left field, resulting in 2 hits and 1 RBI in 3 at-bats.



Suzuki has continued to perform well in exhibition games so far with a batting average of .364 with 8 hits in 22 at bats.

Imanaga Looking ahead to the start of the season

Pitcher Imanaga said, ``I'm glad that I was able to stay calm and consistently throw my fastballs today.If I don't keep it straight and insert it well, I'll miss the breaking ball, so I'm trying to figure out how to get the opposing batter's points.'' I think being able to get the ball forward is my lifeline," he said, citing his fastball performance as a factor for his good pitching.



He then went on to say, ``I feel like I'm starting to get better at things like my weight shift, how I use my glove, and how I land with my right foot.I want to continue pitching in a way that will get people to say that I controlled it well.'' It seemed like they were feeling good about the start of the season, which took place this week.