◆ Pacific League: Softbank Hawks vs. Orix Buffaloes (17th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)
Softbank Hawks The first hit of the season by Akira Nakamura infielder was marked by the first of the season, when, with the bases loaded and seven down in the sixth inning, count he flipped a fourth change-up pitch from 1-2 up the middle.
On this day, he was named to starting line-up for the first time this season as the "number 6 batter and first baseman." The veteran had been making dedicated at-bats since the start of the season, including drawing walks as Walk hitter in crucial situations, but in his eighth at-bat of the season, he finally got the long-awaited "H" (hit).
![[Video] A heartbreaking hit given up on the first pitch...](https://hochi.news/images/2026/04/17/20260417-OHT1I51357-L.jpg)
![[Softbank Hawks] Akira Nakamura to make his first start of the season at "number 6, first base"; starting line-up Hsu Jo-Hsi to start behind the plate for the first time in three games; Kenta Tanigawara to form a battery for the first time and aim for the team's first home win.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/04/17/20260417-OHT1I51316-L.jpg)
![[Softbank Hawks] A painful blow... Hsu Jo-Hsi knocked out after giving up 7 runs in the middle of the 2nd inning... Starting with a home run by Yuma Mune on the first pitch, he gave up a 3-run homer to Ota Ryo in the 2nd inning, becoming easy prey for Orix Buffaloes offense.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/04/17/20260417-OHT1I51405-L.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Alen Kuri aims for revenge: "I've worked hard without forgetting the feeling of frustration" In his last start, he was knocked out after giving up 6 runs in the middle of the 4th inning... He will start in the away game against Softbank Hawks on the 18th.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/04/17/20260417-OHT1I51331-L.jpg)
