◇ Orix Buffaloes vs. Fukuoka Softbank 7th Round (20th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

​Orix Buffaloes Ryoma Yamanaka player hit two consecutive timely hits.

The day before, Yamanaka joined the first team for the first time this season and was given his first starting line-up of the season as the sixth batter first baseman. In the bottom of the second inning, with no outs and runners on first and third, he entered his first at-bat in a crucial moment. On the second pitch of the opposing starter, Haruto Fujiwara pitcher, he skillfully picked up a low drop with his bat and tenaciously broke through the middle shortstop between second.

Then, Mune hit a two-run single, extending the lead to three in the bottom of the third. With one out and runners on first and second, Yamanaka caught a low fastball that passed between first and second. runner and Ryo Ota runners at second base rushed home plate without hesitation, hitting timely hits in two consecutive at-bats. After that, Kotaro Kobayashi player also hit a timely hit, and Fujiwara pitcher was pulled down from mound with 5 runs in the middle of the third inning.

Yamanaka scored the opening goal, following the previous day's 4-game losing streak. In the farm league, he played in 40 games, posting 1 Home Run 11 RBI with a batting average of .276. Could this serve as a catalyst for a team struggling with a lack of scoring ability, having suffered four shutout game losses since Golden Week ended?

◇ Yamanaka's Comments from His First At-Bat.
"Since it was my first at-bat of the season and a chance to play at a critical moment, I decided to go all out and play aggressively. I'm glad it led to a good result!"

◇ Player Yamanaka's Comments from His Second At-Bat.
"I was able to swing my way properly. I'm glad you flew to the right spot!"

Text by Ao Yokoyama