◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 6-4 Nippon-Ham (28th, Mizuho PayPay Stadium)

Nippon-Ham 's catcher, Yuya Gunji, showed a look of relief after getting his first hit of the season.

He was used as the cleanup hitter for the second consecutive game, but went hit in his first eight at-bats since the start of the season until the eighth inning. In the ninth inning, with one out and runners on second and third after the team scored one run, he stepped up to the plate and, despite being quickly put in a two-strike count by Softbank Hawks 's closer Sugiyama, stubbornly drove fork to right field.

Regarding his first hit of the season, a timely single to right field, he said, "I was hoping to get my first hit soon, so I'm glad it finally came." He also clapped his hands hard on the base and reflected, "It was all just sheer willpower."

Manager Shinjo also commented, "He got a hit, so that was good. That kind of hit is the kind that comes right before his performance really starts to improve and explode. I was really happy about that."