◇ Orix Buffaloes vs. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham 17th Round (19th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

​Kotaro Kiyomiya of Hokkaido Nippon-Ham hit his 11th two-run homer to take the lead. With just four pitches from the start, he supported starter Fukuya Yamazaki pitcher.

Yukio Kiyomiya, batting starting line-up as the second batter and first baseman, came up to bat in the first inning when leadoff player Tatsuki Mizuno hit a hit, and with no outs and a runner on first. He swung at the first pitch thrown by opposing starter Taito Takashima pitcher, a high-pitched fastball that turned into a reverse pitch. He skillfully handled the ball while bending his elbow, and the ball extended widely and flew into the right field stands.

This marks his third consecutive hit in a game. He has made his presence felt, having marked a timely doble the day before. With some games where he was left out of the starting lineup, he wants to keep making his mark.

Text by Ao Yokoyama