On August 15, in the 20th round between Orix Buffaloes and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham held in Kyocera Dome Osaka, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham won decisively 12-4.

Starter Takayuki Kato pitcher pitched well, holding the pitcher to two hit through the fourth inning. Meanwhile, the lineup was closer scoreless through two hit four innings, but in the top of the fifth, they got a good opportunity with one out and runners on second and third. Here, Kotaro Kiyomiya sacrifice fly and Tatsuki Mizuno doble timely to take the lead in two runs.

In the top of the sixth, the leadoff Yuki Nomura hit his 14th solo homer, followed by a series of hits from Gunji and Kengo Yoshida to create a chance. With one out, Naoki Arizono hit a timely doble and Ryota Isobata hit a squeeze, extending the lead to 5-0.

Takashi Kato pitcher gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th, pitching 78 pitches in 5.2 innings with 7 hit 2 runs and was pulled. With two outs and runners on second and third, Ren Fukushima pitcher escaped the crisis. Although the lead was narrowed to three runs, in the top of the eighth, Arizono hit a timely doble and Tatsuki Mizuno hit his 10th three-run homer, scoring six runs in one go. They kept scoring and secured a convincing 12-4 victory.

win Hokkaido Nippon-Ham, Arisona hit two timely hits, marking his first professional RBI. He also fielder’s choice 2 hit 4 RBI. Takashi Kato pitcher earned his career-high 11th win. Orix Buffaloes starter Naruki Teranishi pitcher pitched 5 innings with 4 hit 2 runs, but the relievers hit 10 runs and a large runs.

123456789 Total
Day 000023061 12
O 000002020 4

Japan ○ Takayuki Kato-Ren Fukushima-Yi-Lei Sun-Nao Miyanishi-Kenta Uehara
O ● Naruki Teranishi-Kento Kawase-Ryoga Tomiyama-Taisuke Yamaoka-Ryusei Gonda-Shota Abe

Text by Kana Niwa