◇ Orix Buffaloes vs. Tohoku Rakuten Eagles 20th Round (26th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Tohoku Rakuten Eagles took the lead with consecutive timely hits from Itsuki Murabayashi and YG Yasuda players, taking the lead by 2 points.

In the top of the first inning, the Tohoku Rakuten Eagles lineup created a good opportunity with two outs and runners on first and second due to the leadoff Daisuke Nakashima Walk and an opponent's error. Murabayashi entered the plate at the plate, and with the score at count 2-2, he caught the breaking ball of the opposing starter Kyosuke Saito pitcher, the ball passed through the third shortstop area, and in the meantime, runner on second advanced to home plate. With two outs and runners on first and second, YG Yasuda also hit a timely hit, giving the team a two-run lead.

In the previous game, Murabayashi had recorded a 1-hit 1-1 RBI, and YG Yasuda had both recorded 2-hit 2-RBI, including a solo home run of the fifth, both showing strong performances overnight. In the top of the second inning, the team added three more runs with timely hits from Rui Muneyama and McCuscar, taking a five-run lead.

◇ Comment from Murabayashi
"I hit fork. It was a chance, so I came to bat thinking I could score the first run. I'm glad it turned out to be a good result."

◇ YG Yasuda Player Comments
"I think what I hit was a shot. I'm glad I was able to support Shoji (Kosei). I'll do my best in the next at-bats so I can win back-to-back."

Text by Aoi Nishijima