◆ Seibu Lions Pacific League: Seibu vs. Softbank Hawks (24th, Belluna Dome)

Softbank Hawks ・ Ryoya Kurihara infielder hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning to take the lead.

With the score 0-1 and runners on first and third with no outs, he stepped up to the plate and smashed Watanabe's fastball into the left-center field stands. It was his first home run in two games, and his 30th of the season, putting him far ahead of the league leaders. The team captain, who continues to bat fourth, turned the game around.

◇The fastest pace in the Pacific League since Okawari-kun

Kurihara (SoftBank) reached 30 home runs, the fastest in both leagues. The first player from each team to reach 30 home runs in both leagues is ([Home Runs] indicates Home Run that year, ★ indicates Home Run champion).

Annual hitter [Home Runs]

57 years Katsuya Nomura 30★

1962 Katsuya Nomura 44★

63 years Katsuya Nomura 52★

1988 Hiroaki Kadota 44★

2005 Nobuhiko Matsunaka 46★

24th year, Hotaka Yamakawa 34 years old ★

Ryoya Kurihara in 2026?

This is the fifth time for a player to achieve this feat, and the seventh time overall. In the previous six instances, the player was Home Run king. Furthermore, hitting 30 home runs before the All-Star break is the first time since Munetaka Murakami (Yakult) in 2022, the first time in the Pacific League since Takeya Nakamura (Seibu) in 2009, and the first time for the team since Matsunaka in 2005.