◆Farm League: Seibu Lions 8-8 Hayate (31st, Carminique)

outfielder Rakuto Wakabayashi, who was traded from The Giants to Seibu Lions, made his debut for the team on the 31st in a farm team game against Hayate (at Carminique).

He started as the “No. 1 batter, left fielder.” Although his first at-bat ended in a swing-and-miss struck out, with his team leading 3-0 and two outs and a runner on second in his second at-bat, he delivered an RBI single to left field, recording his “first hit since the trade RBI.”In his third at-bat in the fourth inning, with no outs and a runner on first and the team now leading by six runs, he hit another single to left field hit. Then, in the fifth inning with two outs and runners on first and second—the team now leading by seven runs—he hit an RBI single to center field, notching his second hit of the game RBI early on. He was pulled from the game in the sixth inning defense and returned to the bench.

Wakabayashi, who safely completed his first game back Seibu Lions since 24 years ago, breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "I felt good standing up, and I was able to try out various things at bat, so I'm glad that I finished the first day without any injuries." Looking ahead to an early promotion to the first team, he said with enthusiasm, "I want to be prepared so that I can go to the first team at any time. I will work hard to meet that goal."