[Nippon-Ham] Shinjo's Ham team scores two runs in just four pitches, five minutes into the game, as #2 batter Kotaro Kiyomiya hits a massive 11th home run, a two-run shot to right field | Pacific League

[Nippon-Ham] Shinjo's Ham team takes a 2-0 lead in just 5 minutes of the game, with only 4 pitches going into the game, as #2 batter Kotaro Kiyomiya hits a massive 11th home run of the season, a two-run shot to right field.

Sports Hochi

July 19, 2026 13:34

In the first inning with no outs and a runner on first base, Kotaro Kiyomiya hit a go-ahead two-run Home Run over the right field fence. (Photo by Hidenori Baba)

◆ Pacific League: Orix Buffaloes vs. Nippon-Ham (19th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Nippon-Ham infielder Kotaro Kiyomiya hit a go-ahead two-run homer, his 11th of the season, off Takashima's first pitch, a 150 km/h fastball, in his first at-bat in the first inning with no outs and a runner on first. The ball traveled 120 meters, and he was certain it was Home Run the moment he hit it, so he slowly walked off the plate.

The team is on a six-game winning streak against Orix Buffaloes. As manager Shinjo said after the game the previous day, on the 18th, "Everyone is relaxed. It feels like we've returned to playing like the usual The Fighters," and they scored two runs in just four pitches, about five minutes into the game, against an opponent they have a good record against.

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