◇Saitama Seibu Lions vs. Orix Buffaloes, Game 16 (August 1st, Belluna Dome)

Saitama Seibu Lions 's Takuya Hiruma recorded his second hit hit game of the season.

He made his first start since July 23rd as the "number 2 batter and left fielder." In his second at-bat in the bottom of the 3rd inning, he dropped breaking ball from Orix Buffaloes pitcher Jerry into center fielder field, and in the bottom of the 5th inning, he hit another hit to center fielder field. In his fourth at-bat in the bottom of the 7th inning, he got on base with an infield hit to second baseman. This hit sparked a comeback for the team, which managed to tie the game and then take the lead.

Following the removal of Shinya Hasegawa and Masayuki Kuwahara from the Saitama Seibu Lions outfield, Manaya Nishikawa, who had played in 79 games this season, was also removed from the roster on this day. Expectations are high for Hiruma, along with Rakuto Wakabayashi, who has returned to his former team, to play a crucial role in saving the team.

Written by Aoi Nemoto