◇ Pacific League Orix Buffaloes 4-12 Nippon-Ham (15th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

On the 15th, Nippon-Ham exploded with 15 hit and 12 runs, securing a decisive victory against Orix Buffaloes (at Kyocera Dome). This brought starting line-up series to 1-1 and restored their lead to 12 games above .500. infielder Naoki Arizono (23), who started at third base and batted eighth, had a strong performance with two extra-base hits and 2 At Bat 3 hit driving in 4 RBI. Although he had a series of games where he didn't get results, he showed his presence in this series with 4 At Bat 6 hit 5 RBI, and will continue to make his case for a regular starting position.

Arisono pulled the inside pitch with all his might. The sharp line drive instantly struck the bottom of wall. It was the sixth inning with a three-run lead, one out, and runners on first and second. He connected on a fastball from Kawase, the second pitcher for Orix Buffaloes.An RBI single to left field doble. “Since I hit into a double play in my first at-bat (in the second inning with one out and runners on first and second), I immediately shifted my mindset and went in with the determination to definitely get a hit the next time,” he recalled with a smile.

But it didn’t end there. In his fourth at-bat in the eighth inning, with no outs bases loaded, he hit an RBI single sweep that broke through to left-center field doble. “It was a big opportunity, so I wanted to get him to swing and miss at a ball—I read that and went after slider,” he said, explaining that the hit went exactly as planned.In the fifth inning, he also selected a pitch that led to the go-ahead run Walk, and with 3 At Bat, 2 hit, and 1 Walk, he set a personal single-game high with four RBI.

Before this series, he had only one hit 13 At Bat-bats in four games starting line-up. It was a difficult time, but he said, "I was able to make adjustments and switch gears. I'm glad I came to Kyocera Dome and got results." In this series, he has put up numbers of four At Bat six hit and five RBI. His hobby, which he started last year, is fishing. During the All-Star break, he enjoyed bass fishing in his hometown of Chiba and refreshed himself. He said he learned how to relax and forget about baseball, which has led to good results.

The team secured a resounding victory with 15 hit 12 runs, extending their lead over fourth-place Orix Buffaloes to six games. When asked what he focuses on at bat, Arizono said, "I try to relax and make sure they don't just try to time my swings." He continues to make a strong impression, not just a fleeting one, and is pushing forward to secure a regular starting position.

(Yamaguchi Yasushi)