Pacific League: Orix Buffaloes 4-3 Softbank Hawks (29th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes infielder Kotaro Kobayashi started at shortstop and batted fifth, contributing to win with two hits and one hit in four At Bat RBI In the third inning, with two outs and a runner on second, he hit a timely doble the left field line off Softbank Hawks 's Otsu. He connected with an inside fastball on a 1-1 count. "I just wanted to get a hit when I stepped up to the plate." In the seventh inning, with two outs and a runner on first, he hit splitter from Hikaru Kimura to left field, recording his first multi-hit in three games.

The 24-year-old, who has been striving as the regular short stop since 2021, his second year out of high school, reached 100 hits for the sixth consecutive season and his first 50 RBIs with a hit in the third inning. "I think I have to hit more, and it's not enough at all. Even if you call it a career high, my career isn't that great yet. I want to aim higher," he said, renewing his determination.