◆ Pacific League Softbank vs. Nippon-Ham (28th, Mizuho PayPay)

Nippon Ham's new foreign player, infielder Castro (27), hit his first home run since arriving Nippon-Ham. In the bottom of the 4th inning with two outs and the score 1-0, he connected with Haru Matsumoto 's first pitch, a 144 km/h fastball near the middle of the plate, and blasted it into the left field stands. "It's a special feeling. It's deeply moving that my career in Japan has started like this. My first hit in my major league debut was also Home Run. (When I returned to the dugout) my teammates greeted me with fist pumps, and it felt great!" he said, unable closer his excitement. The ball speed was an astonishing 176 km/h and it traveled a perfect 111 meters.

Although he missed out on a starting spot on opening day, starting line-up made his first start in Japan on this day, batting seventh and playing second base. Following Nomura's solo home run in his first at-bat in the second inning, the two starting line-up, both making their first starts of the season, added to the lead with home runs.