[Softbank Hawks] Soichiro Ishizuka Ishizuka to make his first start since returning to the starting line-up as "number 8, first baseman" after Hit by Pitch in the face by a pitch on June 23rd, fracturing his mandible... will return to the first team on the 11th. Ryoya Kurihara who hit his 31st home run the day before, will bat 7th for the first time since April 21st. | Pacific League League.com

[Softbank Hawks] Soichiro Ishizuka Ishizuka will make his first start since returning to the starting line-up as "number 8, first baseman" after being Hit by Pitch in the face by a pitch on June 23rd, resulting in a fractured mandible... He will return to the first team on the 11th. Ryoya Kurihara, who hit his 31st home run the day before, will bat 7th for the first time since April 21st.

Sports Hochi

August 12, 2026 17:54

◆ Pacific League: Softbank Hawks vs. Lotte (12th, Mizuho PayPay)

Softbank Hawks, with a magic number of 32 to clinch the championship, will have catcher Soichiro Ishizuka starting line-up since the game against Nippon-Ham on June 21st (at Escon Stadium). He was sidelined after being Hit by Pitch in the face by a fastball from Machado in the game Orix Buffaloes on June 23rd (at Mizuho PayPay Stadium), resulting in a fractured mandible. He returned to the first team on the 11th, but did not play in the home game against Lotte on the same day.

Kurihara batted seventh for the first time since April 21st. After missing one game due to allergy symptoms, he batted sixth in the game against Lotte on the 11th (at Mizuho PayPay Dome) and hit his 31st home run, a two-run shot. Starting pitcher Uwasawa will take mound aiming for his seventh win.

Softbank Hawks 's starting line-up is as follows:

1 (Right) Masaki

2 (Central) Shuto

3 (left) Yanagida

4 (Finger) Kondo

5 (Catcher) Yu Yamamoto

6 (2) Makihara Dai

7 (3) Kurihara

8 (1) Ishizuka

9 (play) Shoko

(Pitcher) Uesawa