[Nippon-Ham] Kotaro Kiyomiya hits a go-ahead home run, a back-to-back with Yuki Nomura, to take the lead. "I was able to hit with that momentum," he said. | Pacific League

[Nippon-Ham] Kotaro Kiyomiya hit a go-ahead home run, a back-to-back with Yuki Nomura, to take the lead. He commented, "I was able to hit with that momentum."

Sports Hochi

July 5, 2026 18:33

In the fourth inning with one out, Kotaro Kiyomiya hit Home Run run to right-center field (Photo by Wataru Koshikawa).

◆ Pacific League Rakuten Eagles: Rakuten vs. Nippon-Ham (5th, Rakuten Eagles Mobile)

Nippon-Ham 's infielder Kotaro Kiyomiya hit a go-ahead home run.

In the fourth inning, immediately after Nomura's 10th home run, a two-run shot, tied the game, on the third pitch of a 2-ball count, he scooped up change-up from Rakuten Eagles 's starting pitcher Contreras.

After hitting his ninth home run of the season, a solo shot over right field that put his team ahead, he commented, "Jay (Nomura) brought me good momentum, so I was able to hit with that momentum."

In the first two games of this three-game series, the team had managed only seven hit and one run without a single home run. However, their previously silent offense turned the game around with their signature home run offensive.