Tohoku Rakuten vs. Fukuoka Softbank, Game 19 (27th, Komachi Stadium)

Fukuoka Softbank Kenta Imamiya He became the fourth player in history to achieve 400 career sacrifice bunt.

In the top of the fourth inning, with count score at 1-0, he came up to bat with no outs and a runner on first Rakuten. Tatsuki Koja He perfectly rolled the 142km/h fastball thrown by pitcher in front of catcher, achieving his 400th sacrifice bunt. Tatsuru Yanagimachi The player hits a timely hit and advances to third base due to an error by the opposing team. Takashi Umino The player executed a brilliant squeeze, adding two more points.

He joined the team as the first draft pick in 2009 from Meiho High School. In 2012, he established himself in the first team, appearing in 126 games, and the following year in 2013, he reached the required number of at-bats for the first time. That same year, he recorded a Pacific League record of 62 sacrifice bunt in a season. The following year, he recorded another 62 sacrifice bunt, contributing to the team as a connecting player. He also achieved a new Pacific League record of 306 sacrifice bunt on April 8, 2021.

◇ Comment from Imamiya
"When I started out as a professional baseball player, the first thing I could do was defend and bunt. Through that, I think I was able to accumulate the impressive number of 400 hits. There are still three legends ahead of me. To get close to that number, I think the minimum requirement is to stay injury-free and continue to play in games.

Above all, I want to contribute to the team's win and not lose out in the competition within the team. To me, accumulating sacrifice bunt is equal to continuing to be active as a professional. I would like to train every day so that I can increase this number even more. Anyway, I'm glad that 400 sacrifice bunt led to a run."

◇Imamiya player's sacrifice bunt bunt record
First sacrifice bunt April 29, 2012 vs. Chiba Lotte Marines Lotte
200 sacrifice bunt June 2, 2016 vs. Chunichi
250 sacrifice bunt July 5, 2017 vs. Orix
300 sacrifice bunt July 3, 2020 Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
350 sacrifice bunt April 12, 2023 Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

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