SMBC Japan Series 2025 Game 2
○ Softbank 10 - 1 Hanshin Tigers ●
<October 26th, Mizuho PayPay>

Motonobu Tanishige, who served as a commentator for the Nippon Broadcasting System Show Up Nighter Special Japan Series Softbank vs. Hanshin Tigers Game 2, which aired on the 26th, said that the performance of the fifth hitter on both teams determined the outcome.

Before the game, Tanishiro predicted, "If the fifth batter had batted when there were a few runner on base (from the CS), we could have advanced the game in a very significant way, but our fifth batter hasn't been hitting. There's always one out of four times when there are runners on runner. Maybe two times. Who will hit? Whoever hits will win."

Hanshin Tigers took the lead with a timely hit by No. 4 hitter Teruaki Sato, and with one out and runners on first and third, No. 5 hitter Yusuke Oyama came to bat, but struck out swinging on the fourth pitch, fork thrown by Naoyuki Uwasawa with one ball and two strike.

Tanishiro pointed out, "Oyama inevitably acts as a brake here, so Hanshin Tigers can't keep adding points one by one."

In the bottom of the inning, with two outs and runners on first and second, No. 5 Ryoya Kurihara of Softbank hit a timely hit off Duplantier to the right field line to tie the game, and then Hotaka Yamakawa followed with a two-run timely double to right-center doble to take the lead. Tanishige commented, "The fact that Kurihara hit the ball really ignited our batting lineup."

On this day, Oyama had 0 hit in 4 At Bat, while Kurihara had 1 hit in 4 At Bat and 1 RBI.

(Nippon Broadcasting System Show Up Nighter)