Open game: Nippon-Ham 5x-4 Lotte (8th, Escon)

　日本ハムの水谷瞬外野手が８日、劇的なサヨナラ弾で大叔母と２４歳に別れを告げた。９回先頭でバックスクリーンへ運ぶサヨナラ弾。９日に２５歳の誕生日を控え、２４歳最後の打席を最高の形で飾った。子どものころ一緒に暮らし、６日に亡くなった母方の大叔母への手向けの一発でもあった。

The moment he hit the ball, Mizutani began running with confidence. The ball flew straight to center fielder and into the back screen. With the score tied in the ninth inning, it was a 130-meter walk walk-off off home run. After rounding first base, the leadoff hitter raised his index finger to the sky and said, "It feels great. I think today is a special day for me, so I'm glad I was able to hit it."

"Special" had two meanings. The 9th was his 25th birthday. "Being able to finish my last at-bat as a 24-year-old in that way, I can approach the next one with a good image in mind," he said, nodding. Regarding the hit that he carried with ease, he said, "It felt different from last year. I can feel that I've grown after going through the winter," predicting a leap forward at 25 years old.

It was a shot he gave to his "grandmother." His maternal great-aunt, with whom he lived as a child, passed away on the 6th. "I was a grandma's boy, so I think today's shot is one that she allowed me to hit." He felt the suddenness of people's suddenness. "If things have ended like this without us even being able to say goodbye, I wish I could cherish the people who are by my side now and the people who support me like this," he said.

Two years ago, he lost his grandfather during the season. I thought I was going to hit home run for sure, but I was so overpowered that I hit about 2 struck out. I thought that if I didn't think about that, I could hit home run it after all. Asked what he wanted to say, he replied, "Nothing in particular. I think they are probably watching me," said Mizutani. I will repay all the people who support me by giving my all in my play. (Yasushi Yamaguchi)