◆ Pacific League: Lotte 6-3 Orix Buffaloes (15th, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

The game was billed as the "Pokemon Baseball Festa." Despite being a weekday, many children came to the home stadium where Nishikawa showed his signature move. In the bottom of the 7th inning, with the score tied 3-3 and two outs, runners on first and second base, he connected with Yamazaki's 152 km/h fastball on a 3-0 count, sending his third home run of the season, a game-winning three-run homer to left field, ending a five-game losing streak Orix Buffaloes and leading his team to their first two-game winning streak in May.

"I focused on hitting straight pitches, placing my contact point a little further forward. I was confident I could hit it." The turning point in his improved hitting came during practice before the game against Nippon-Ham on the 14th. Manager Saburo advised him, "Let's hit in a way that doesn't lose to the fastball. It's okay to pull the ball," which eliminated his hesitation, and he began to hit powerful line drives.

"He has considerable talent. He can hit double-digit Home Run," the manager said, to which Nishikawa replied, "I definitely want to achieve that." In just 39 games, he has already surpassed Home Run total from last season. Like a ball soaring into the air, he is helping the last-place team ride an upward current. (Shunsuke Ami)