◇ Orix Buffaloes vs Saitama Seibu Lions 14th Round (5th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

​Orix Buffaloes Ryo Ota player hit the fifth solo home run to take the lead.

Ota started as the fifth batter second baseman. In the bottom of the second inning with neither team scoring and one out with no runner, he caught the fifth pitch from count 2-2 on a high inside fastball from the opposing starter, Chihiro Sumida pitcher. The ball hit the left field stands, giving the team a valuable opening run.

So far this season, Ota has maintained strong monthly batting averages of over .260 since the start of the season. Currently, the team is on a three-game losing streak, with a draw in between. Although they have struggled and dropped to 5th place on the 2nd, they want to deliver results as a core of the lineup and bring win closer to the team.

◇ Ota Player Comments
"My body responded well to the fastball on the inside course! I'm glad it somehow reached me! 」

Text by Aoi Nishijima