[Nippon-Ham] Sends in a pinch hitter for the in-form Reyes in the 5th inning; unexpected mid-game substitution causes a stir in the stands | Pacific League

[Nippon-Ham] Sending in a pinch hitter for the in-form Reyes in the 5th inning; the unexpected mid-game substitution causes a stir in the stands.

Sports Hochi

July 1, 2026 19:32

In the third inning, with two outs and a runner on first base, Reyes hits a single to right hit (Photo by Masahiko Ikeuchi).

◆ Pacific League: Nippon-Ham vs. Orix Orix Buffaloes (August 1st, ES CON FIELD)

In the fifth inning, Nippon-Ham manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo sent in pinch hitter Nomura against Reyes.

Reyes started starting line-up as the "number 3 hitter and designated hitter." In the first inning, with no outs and runners on first and second base, he grounded into a double play play, but in his second at-bat in the third inning with two outs and a runner on first base, he hit a single to right field, extending the scoring opportunity.

The stands were filled with murmurs, perhaps sensing something ominous about the pinch hitter being brought in for the foreign player who had been in top form in June, batting .400 with 10 Home Run and 18 RBI in 20 games.