◇ Hokkaido Nippon-Ham vs. Tohoku Rakuten Eagles Game 17 (7th · ES CON FIELD)

A player from Tohoku Rakuten Eagles Fumiya Kurokawa hit a solo home run—his second of the season—to give his team the lead.

In the top of the 6th inning with the score tied 0–0, with two outs and no runners on base for runner, it was his second at-bat. On the fifth pitch thrown by the opposing starter, Kota Tatsu pitcher, he skillfully connected with a low inside curveball, sending the ball just inside the right-field pole for his second solo home run of the season. pitcher He hit the home run that turned the game around.

Kurokawa had been struggling in the second half of the season, going 18-At Bat-2-hit in five games with a .111 batting average. Will this home run—his first in four months since April 3—mark the start of a turnaround?

◇ Fumiya Kurokawa ’s Comments
“I hit a curveball. It was my dad’s birthday recently, and he told me, ‘Hit one for me.’ I’ll do my best to help us win,” he said emphatically.

Text by Rian Ueno