◆パ・リーグ　オリックス４―１２日本ハム（１５日・京セラドーム大阪）

Orix Buffaloes Ryo Ota infielder (25) showed his determination. With the score 3-11 in the 8th inning with two outs and a runner on third, he hit his second timely doble of the game. He hit the ball over center field from veteran left-hander Miyanishi, saying, "It felt good. I wanted it to be home run..." He was used as the cleanup hitter in his 62nd game, the team's highest. He maintained his strong form with a season-long streak of 13 consecutive games played hit and expressed satisfaction, saying, "Lately, I've been feeling good."

His alma mater, Tenri High School, defeated Takagawa Gakuen in the third round of the Summer Koshien. Before the game, he checked on his juniors' progress as they advanced to the quarterfinals. It reminded him of his roots. "If you do the same things as everyone else, you won't make it to the pros." These words from former Kintetsu manager Ryoji Nakamura (at the time) supported him, and he practiced with single-minded dedication every day. He was grateful for the reality that he was drafted first overall in 2018 and is now playing as a regular. Lotte's Nakamura and other alumni of the school are also planning to present him with a commemorative T-shirt. "I hope they go as far as they can," he said, expressing his hope for the school's first "summer championship" in 36 years, since 1990.

The team suffered a crushing defeat, dropping their winning percentage back to 50% in just one day. With 35 games remaining, they are six games behind third-place Nippon-Ham, and must win every game to make it to the Climax Series. "We really need to take it one game at a time and rack up wins." The player with number 1 is leading the charge, embodying an unyielding attitude. (Shunta Nanbu)