◆ Pacific League: Lotte 2-7 Orix Buffaloes (12th, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Orix Buffaloes ・ Ryo Ota infielder (25) had everything riding on this at-bat. “Since I came up with a chance, I was going to be aggressive.” In the sixth inning, trailing by one run with no outs and runners on first and second, he hit a two-run doble to left-center field to take the lead.He connected on the first pitch from Lotte’s Yagi—two seam fastball—right off the bat. In his 44th game—the most on the team—and his first time batting cleanup in three games, he recorded his fifth three-hit game of the season. “I hadn’t been hitting very well when batting cleanup, so I’m glad this went well,” he said with a smile.

In his eighth professional season, his ideal is an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of over 80%. "If I can increase the probability of hitting fast balls, my batting average will also improve." During pre-game practice, he makes sure to use a weighted bat that is 20 grams heavier than usual for tee batting. "Even just 20 grams makes a huge difference in how it feels. It has the advantage of making the bat feel lighter during games," he emphasizes, explaining that it allows him to swing his 84cm bat more sharply at the plate. This ingenuity and resourcefulness is what has supported the growth of the 2018 first-round draft pick.

On this day, his alma mater Tenri win in the first match (second round) of the Nara tournament against Kashihara. Ota, who visited the sacred ground in the summer of 2017 as a sophomore, said, "I was able to grow greatly in high school baseball. I hope this will be the culmination of three years and do your best," expressing his hopes for his juniors' success. He himself contributed to the team's first winning record in two games. Like New number 1, he will become the number one presence. (Shunta Nanbu)