◇Saitama Seibu Lions vs. Tohoku Rakuten Eagles 22nd Round (30th, Belluna Dome)

Saitama Seibu Lions took the lead with Seiya Watanabe 's 8th solo home run.

In this game, held as the final game of the "PR1DE SERIES" and the retirement game for Takumi Kuriyama, the Saitama Seibu Lions lineup was held to two hits through four innings by the opponent's starter, pitcher Takayuki Kishi. Nevertheless, in the bottom of the 5th inning, when Watanabe entered the batter's box as the leadoff hitter, he caught the first pitch, a breaking ball. The powerful hit went straight into the center-field bleachers. It was his first home run in about two months since the game against Tohoku Rakuten Eagles on June 22nd, securing a precious opening run.

Watanabe had been away from the first team for about two weeks after being hit near the face by an irregular bounce in a game on the 9th of this month. Although his monthly batting average for August was .179 (as of before the game), showing a slight slump, will he be able to improve his condition again starting with this home run?

◇Watanabe's Comment
"I hit a slider. I went to hit aggressively to give the team momentum. I'm glad I could score the opening run in a good way."