[Orix Buffaloes] Ryoma Yamanaka and Kotaro Kobayashi suffer close calls... Hit by Pitch by pitches on their left shoulder and near their face guard respectively | Pacific League

[Orix Buffaloes] Ryoma Yamanaka and Kotaro Kobayashi had a close call... hit by Hit by Pitch in the left shoulder and near the face guard, respectively.

Sports Hochi

July 12, 2026 18:59

In the sixth inning, with no outs and a runner on third base, Kotaro Kobayashi was hit by Hit by Pitch (Photo by Aki Takematsu).

◆ Pacific League League: Lotte vs. Orix Buffaloes (December 12th, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Orix Buffaloes catcher Ryoma Yamanaka had a scary moment. Starting as the number two hitter and first baseman, Hit by Pitch near his left shoulder by Lotte's Kojima in his third at-bat, leading off the sixth inning. helmet was knocked off, and he briefly collapsed on the spot. Hitting coach Kawashima and trainers rushed to his side, but he quickly made his way to first base on his own.

With the batting lineup having taken the lead and a runner on third base with no outs, it was then shortstop Kotaro Kobayashi, batting fifth, infielder Hit by Pitch by a pitch near his face guard by Lotte's Yagi. He went to the dugout with a trainer for treatment, but later resumed playing.