◆ Pacific League League: Lotte vs. Nippon-Ham (21st, ZOZO Marine Stadium)
Lotte outfielder Koki Yamaguchi hit a home run that broke a perfect pitch. In the bottom of the 4th inning with two outs and the score 0-3, he closer perfect contact with Kitayama's cutter, which had kept the batting lineup in check until then. The ball soared and landed in the left field stands in no time. "I'll do my best next time to catch up and overtake him," he said. His 23rd home run of the season traveled 120 meters, bringing his total to three home runs in four games and showing increasing momentum.
He is now within reach of the 24 Home Run runs that Haruya Inoue hit, the most right-handed hitter in the team's history, set in 2018 and 2019.
![[Video] Starbucks effect?! Munetaka Murakami's massive home run causes a stir among opposing fans.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/08/19/20260819-OHT1I51070-C.jpg)
![[Scoreboard] Lotte vs. Nippon-Ham](https://hochi.news/assets/v2/img/hochi_news_sns.png)
![[NPB Highlights Today] Will Nippon-Ham Kitayama finally achieve his first 10-win season on his fifth attempt?](https://hochi.news/images/2026/08/21/20260821-OHT1I51003-C.jpg)
![[Lotte] Kazuya Ojima outpitches Kenta Maeda to earn his 5th win, preventing a 3-game sweep against the same opponent.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/08/20/20260820-OHT1I51563-L.jpg)
![[Lotte] 2023 Draft Pick #1, Kyuto Ueda, hits off Hiromi Ito 's second home run of the season, tying the game right after a missed opportunity to take the lead. Two home runs in three games, showing his true potential.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/12/20260512-OHT1I51446-L.jpg)
![[Farm Team] Ataru Yamaguchi returns to action with a timely hit, Kanato Anzai earns his first win of the season.](https://media.insight.pacificleague.com/webp/R6qpV6jBVPfnBpvX45KSiGggl6h02gvI8pUcRRdv.webp)
