◇ Hokkaido Nippon-Ham vs. Orix Buffaloes, Game 2 (April 4th, ES CON FIELD)

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters' Haruki Nishikawa hit a three-run homer, his first of the season, to give his team the lead.

Nishikawa started the game as the leadoff hitter and center fielder. In the bottom of the 5th inning, with his team hit by two runs, Shun Mizutani and Tatsuki Mizuno hit singles to create a scoring opportunity with runners on first and third with one out. When he stepped up to the plate, he connected with breaking ball right down the middle from opposing pitcher Alen Kuri. It was a home run that he knew was a home run the moment he hit it, and his team temporarily took the lead.

In the top of the sixth inning, starting pitcher Kota Tatsu gave up the tying run, but Nishikawa's first Home Run since returning to his former team brought valuable runs to the team.

Written by Aoi Nishijima