◆Pre-season game Hanshin Tigers 2-1 Seibu Lions (10th, Koshien)

Seibu Lions outfielder Shinya Hasegawa (23) continues to perform well.

　外野手登録の長谷川だが、この日は「１年目のフェニックス・リーグ以来ぐらい（のスタメン）」という「７番・一塁」で先発出場。打撃では両軍無得点の２回２死一塁でチーム初安打となる左前安打を放ってチャンスを拡大するなど３打数１安打１四球。守備では、両軍無得点の４回無死走者なしの場面で、投手の後ろに飛んだ勢いの弱い打球を猛チャージして処理した遊撃手・仲田からの送球を体をめいっぱいに伸ばして捕球する好プレーを見せ貴重なアウトをもぎ取るなど、攻守で存在感を発揮。西口監督も「状態はいいんじゃない。だからこういう形ででも打席を与えて試合に出してる」と状態の良さに太鼓判を押す。

He has hit in six games, including four starting line-up during the exhibition games and two as a substitute, for a batting average of .467 so far. With Kuwahara transferred from DeNA as a free agent and new foreign outfielder, the competition is tough, but he said, "I'm able to swing within the zone, so the results are connecting. One hit a day isn't enough, but it's important to keep doing that. I'm trying to improve the quality of those hits." He will continue to make a strong case for a spot in the opening starting line-up.