◆SMBC Japan Series 2025 No. 3 Hanshin Tigers vs. Softbank (28th, Koshien)
Softbank 's infielder Hotaka Yamakawa hit a powerful solo home run to tie the game.
With the score at 0-1 and one out in the fourth inning, he hit slider pitched too softly by Hanshin Tigers 's Saiki to the left of the back screen. This was his second consecutive home run, following Game 2 on the 26th (at Mizuho PayPay), bringing the game back to square one. The last time a team hit home runs in two consecutive games (in the same year) was when Gracial hit home runs in Games 3 and 4 of 2019.
He was not in the starting lineup for Game 1, but in Game 2, where the starting line-up overwhelmed Hanshin Tigers with 10 runs, he racked up 5 RBI. On this day, outfielder Kensuke Kondo who had just returned from a left flank injury, started on the bench. He was given the number 4 position in his place for the first time in this series, and responded with a result. "I was able to sort out the balls I needed to hit, and hit slider that came in softly with one swing. I think it was the result of being able to swing with all my might," he said proudly, adding, "I'll continue to focus on batting in a way that will lead to victory."
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