In this chapter, Toshibal tries to convince himself that he's in better shape than before. He's even more confident now that he doesn't have to take a drink from the pitcher's cooler. He feels like he can keep the team in the game for two more innings, even though the first pitch is off. He tells himself that if he can just keep the offense in check, then he'll be able to keep the game in hand. But he warns him not to get too cocky, because if he does, he will lose the game. The pitch that strikes yamaoka on the hand is off the mark, and the first-basemen move back too far to cover the bases. Inashiro gets the first out of the inning, but they're still down by one run.