Takahiro Arai Explains Late-Game Pinch-Hitting Decision for Kaito Kozono After Carp Fall to Tigers

Hiroshima Carp manager Takahiro Arai explained his decision to use a pinch-hitter for Kaito Kozono in the ninth inning of Sunday's 8–1 loss to the Hanshin Tigers at Mazda Stadium.

The defeat prevented Hiroshima from completing a three-game sweep of Hanshin, something the Carp had not achieved since the opening series of the season.

Hiroshima starter Yuki Mori surrendered a two-run home run to Teruaki Sato in the first inning but settled down afterward. He allowed seven hits and four runs over six-plus innings, taking his third loss of the season.

Arai praised Mori for battling through the game.

“I thought he battled and kept us in the game.”

Mori recovered after the early home run and gave Hiroshima a chance to remain competitive. However, he allowed additional runs in the seventh inning, and Arai decided to remove him from the game without hesitation.

When asked whether the decision to pull Mori had been difficult given his recovery after the first inning, Arai simply replied:

“There was no hesitation there.”

The Carp's offense briefly gave the home crowd something to cheer about in the fifth inning.

Wilyer Fabián reached base to start the inning before Ernesto Montero launched a solo home run into the upper deck in left field. It was Montero's 10th home run of the season and his first time reaching double digits in a season since joining Hiroshima.

However, Hiroshima's offense was shut down by the Hanshin bullpen from the sixth inning onward.

Arai also highlighted the performance of reliever Shogo Kikuchi, who was brought into the game with two outs and the bases loaded in the seventh inning.

Kikuchi managed to escape the major threat by retiring Hanshin's dangerous hitter, and Arai said he hoped the experience would help the pitcher moving forward.

The most notable decision came in the ninth inning.

With Kozono due to bat, Hiroshima instead sent a pinch-hitter to the plate. The decision came one inning after Kozono had committed a throwing error during a potential double play in the eighth inning.

Asked about the decision, Arai gave a brief but pointed explanation:

“There were a lot of fans who came out to watch us.”

The move drew attention because it followed Kozono's defensive mistake and came with the game already heavily tilted toward Hanshin.

Arai also confirmed that pitcher Daichi Aduwa had been removed from the active roster.

The reason was straightforward: left-hander Hiroki Tokoda is scheduled to return to the active roster ahead of his August 18 start against the Chunichi Dragons.

For Hiroshima, the loss was a disappointing end to the series after consecutive victories over the league-leading Tigers. However, the return of Tokoda and the continued development of the pitching staff will be important as the Carp attempt to recover during the final stretch of the season.