[Orix Buffaloes] Kotaro Kobayashi hits his 10th home run, his first in 5 years and tying his personal best: "I definitely want to hit 20 home runs. This is just a stepping stone..." Double-digit home run total for the first time since securing a regular position in 2021 | Pacific League

[Orix Buffaloes] Kotaro Kobayashi hits his 10th home run, his first in 5 years and tying his personal best: "I definitely want to hit 20 home runs. This is just a stepping stone..." Double-digit home run total for the first time since securing a regular position in 2021.

Sports Hochi

June 30, 2026 22:18

In the second inning with one out and a runner on first base, Kotaro Kobayashi hit a game-tying two-run homer to left field, his 10th of the season (Photo by Masahiko Ikeuchi).

◆ Pacific League Nippon-Ham 9-2 Orix Buffaloes (30th, ES CON FIELD)

Orix Buffaloes 's Kurebayashi hit a two-run homer, his 10th of the season, tying his personal best. He sent it over the left field fence in the second inning, trailing by two runs. He didn't miss the curveball from Kitayama, who had a .500 batting average (7 At Bat 14 hit in 2013 and also hit a three-run homer off him in the CS first baseman Stage in October.

He has hit two home runs in his last three games. This is his first double-digit Home Run in five years, since he secured the starting shortstop position in 2021. He is certain to surpass his career high. "I definitely want to hit 20 home runs. This is just a stepping stone, and I want to work hard to hit even more," he said, shifting his focus.

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