◆ Pacific League: Lotte vs. Softbank Hawks (2nd, ZOZO Marine)

Lotte outfielder Kota Inoue (25) appeared in the starting line-up as the number five hitter playing right field. In the 4th inning with one out and no runners while trailing 0-1, he caught a fastball from Softbank Hawks starter Yu Maeda and hit his 8th solo home run of the season into the left-field stands to tie the game.

It was a perfect hit that he knew was a Home Run the moment he struck it. After crossing home plate, he held up a photo of Kakunaka, for whom this was the final game before retirement, high in front of the first-base dugout.

"I was told that we had to win no matter what today, so even though they scored first, I went to the plate thinking I had to somehow catch up and overtake them, and that resulted in a good outcome. Since I bat before Kaku-san (Kakunaka), I will do my best to keep creating opportunities for him," he said, vowing to win.