◆ Pacific League Seibu Lions Softbank Hawks (8th, Belluna Dome)

Seibu Lions came from behind to defeat Softbank Hawks and climb back up to second place. Trailing 0-1 in the bottom of the 8th inning with two outs and a runner on second base, first-round draft pick rookie catcher Taiga Kojima (22) hit a go-ahead two-run homer, his fifth of the season, to turn the game around.

Both teams remained scoreless through the sixth inning. Although we gave up the first run in the top of the seventh, the momentum of the game may have gradually shifted in our favor starting in the bottom of the seventh Seibu Lions. Trailing by one run with one out in the seventh, Takeya Nakamura infielder (42) hit his first home run of the season hit—a single to left field hit.This marked his 24th consecutive year hit, and the home fans and the third-base-side Seibu Lions dugout erupted in celebration. Although the 7th inning did not result in a run, Kojima hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the 8th inning to seal the victory.

Takeshi Nakamura is a seasoned veteran. He will celebrate his 43rd birthday on the 15th. Kojima, who became the hero, was born about a month after Nakamura got his first professional hit in September 2003, and there is a 23-year age difference between him and 19-year-old Shinohara, who pitched one runs as the second pitcher in the 8th inning and earned win. That's why the impact of Nakamura's hit was so significant.

Manager Nishiguchi said, "I think that hitting really improves the atmosphere, and it really energized the bench. I think it's the result of everyone fighting hard and not giving up until the very end."

Kojima: "I think it was exciting. He's an experienced player, so I think his demeanor on the bench was great, and he was hitting some amazing shots in practice, so I want to learn from him."

Without changing his expression, Takeshi Nakamura reflected on struck out with two outs and a runner on third in the fourth inning, saying, "Ideally, I would have liked to get a hit in my previous at-bat." It was a valuable victory that brought together the strengths of the players, who are separated by a significant age gap. Manager Nishiguchi also seemed pleased, saying, "I think each and every one of them properly fulfilled their role. I think this is a very significant victory."