◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 7-1 Lotte (May 5th, Mizuho PayPay Stadium)

Softbank Hawks 's Kondo had his sights set. "I was determined to make the most of it," he said, concentrating on the opportunity in the first inning with no outs and runners on first and second. He hit Kojima's first pitch, a fastball down the middle, for a go-ahead 3-run homer, his 19th of the season. In the fifth inning, with one out and runners on second and third, when the score was narrowed to a one-run difference, he hit his 20th home run, a 3-run homer over the right field fence. It was his third game with two Home Run this season, and he had a spectacular performance with 6 RBI.

This is the second time in his career that he has hit 20 home Home Run, the first being in 2023 when he won Home Run title (26 homers). Kurihara, who bats after him, was also motivated and hit a league-leading 24th solo home run in the 8th inning. "He was pumping his fist in celebration at me (laughs). It's good that there's competition within the team. If we don't hit, we can't win the game," said Kondo, welcoming the competition between the 3rd and 4th batters. On the other hand, his 62 RBI are the most in the Pacific League, and along with his .296 batting average, he is within striking distance of the Triple Crown.

They are currently in first place, with their largest lead of the season so far, three games ahead of second-place Seibu Lions. During his playing days, manager Kokubo formed a powerful core batting duo with Matsunaka (currently the Chunichi Dragons' hitting coach). He is leading the team to a runaway victory with a destructive force that rivals the "MK duo." (Tosei Moriguchi)