◇ Tohoku Rakuten Eagles vs Orix Buffaloes Game 16 (11th, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

Orix Buffaloes Tomoya Noguchi hit his third two-run homer in the top of the 5th inning. It was a go-ahead home run that answered the manly spirit of starter Alen Kuri pitcher.

Noguchi was the first starting line-up pitcher since the Saitama Seibu Lions game on the 2nd. He played in third baseman, but in the bottom of the first inning, he allowed his own bad throw to reach base, putting runners on second with one out. Even so, pitcher Kuri retired the next batter, leaving no runs. He delivered a powerful pitch that covered a teammate's error.

In the bottom of the fourth, he gave up a solo home run and gave up the lead. Kenya Wakatsuki hit a hit, and with one out and a runner on first, he entered his second at-bat. On the third pitch thrown by opposing starter Kosei Shoji pitcher, he swung at a curveball with a drop in the air. The ball went straight to the right field stands. This time, Noguchi provided support.

Noguchi has Home Run his hit since the Chiba Lotte Marines game on July 11. His third Home Run is a career-high of his career. Now in his fifth year as a pro, he has played 57 games so far and batted .196 (pre-game), but he hopes to improve his form.

◇ Comment from Player Noguchi
"What I hit was a curveball. I was trying to connect it to the next one, and I'm glad it turned out to be the best result!"

Text by Ao Yokoyama