◆ Pacific League Orix Buffaloes vs. Lotte (25th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes ・ Ryo Ota infielder started as the "No. 4 batter and second baseman" and hit his sixth two-run homer in his first at-bat.

In the first inning, Nishikawa hit sacrifice fly to score the first run, and with one out and a runner on first, he perfectly timed the first pitch from Lotte's Hiroike and launched it into left-center field. "It was slider. I was able to make a solid swing from the first pitch," he said, beaming with satisfaction.

In the previous day’s game against the Lotte Marines on the 24th (Kyocera Dome Osaka), with the score tied in the ninth inning with one out and runners on first and second, he hit his second walk-off of the season to center field. Star player hitter, who was batting cleanup for the 50th time this season—a team high—is making his presence felt at the heart of the lineup.