The next pitch is a change-up from Hiroki Kuroda, who has just struck out the first batter he faced in the game. Hiroki is furious, but the rest of the team is relieved to see that he has struck out only one batter. The only thing that bothers him is that the other team has been able to score the first run of the game, so he is not angry with them for losing the first point. The other team's starting pitcher, Hiroki's younger brother, is on the mound, and Hiroki asks him if he is keeping Hydrated on his arm. He says that he is, and he has been entrusted to pitch at a critical moment in this game.