◇ Tohoku Rakuten Eagles vs Saitama Seibu Lions Game 16 (20th, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

Saitama Seibu Lions Yuto Koga hit his fourth three-run homer to take the lead. Manaya Nishikawa also followed with two consecutive home runs.

With 　Shuta Tonosaki hit and Sosuke Genda Walk, two outs with runners on first and second, and veterans dominated the bases in the top of the second inning, Yu Koga came up to bat. On the fourth pitch, pitched by opposing starter Takayuki Kishi pitcher, he sharply pulled the fastball of the hanging ball, sending the ball flying far and into the left field stands.

Next, Nishikawa caught a curveball sinking into the inside corner from count 2-2. He skillfully scooped up the ball and sent it straight to the right field stands. E. Ramirez pitcher became his first mound starting in Japan, and in a match expected to be an all-out battle, Saitama Seibu Lions took a strong start with four runs.

This was Yu Koga's first home run since the game against Orix Buffaloes on June 19. In the previous day's game, rookie Taiga Kojima the first draft pick hit his fourth homer and three homers, making the battle for the catcher even fiercer. Additionally, Nishikawa hit his third solo home run for the first time in two months since the game against Chiba Lotte Marines on May 19. So far in July, he has played in 13 games and is in good form, hitting .300 (before the game).

◇ Comment from Yu Koga
"I hit fastball. From the very first at-bat, I was able to get good results and create a positive flow for the team."

◇ Comment from Player Nishikawa
"What I hit was a curveball. Even when I was under pressure, I was able to swing my own."

Text by Ao Yokoyama