◆ Pacific League: Softbank Hawks 7-4 Lotte (13th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

It was a strike just as the game evaluation suggested. With two outs in the 6th inning and a one-run lead, Softbank Hawks outfielder Tomoya Masaki (26) swung hard. It was his first time hitting two Home Run in a single game. A solo shot off Yagi, his 27th of the season. "I didn't think it would go in, so I ran with all my might," he said. The launch angle was 18 degrees. The low-trajectory line drive flew into the left-center terrace seats.

After hitting a game-tying doble in the third inning against Lucchesi in their first matchup, he followed up with his 26th two-run home run in the fourth inning with a two-point lead. 'I focused on hitting the trajectory (arc) and watching the ball's path closely,' he said, having prepared for the unconventional left-handed pitcher using a high-performance virtual batting machine that faithfully reproduces ball trajectories. It was the result of his hard work.

A happy event occurred. In the latest update of the popular game "Powerful Pro Baseball," he was evaluated with "Power S / Trajectory 2." His power rating surpassed Sato of the Hanshin Tigers, becoming the number one value among all 12 teams. He showed an innocent smile, saying, "I found out by looking at X. I wonder if it's okay for me to have Power S... I want to make my trajectory a 3." Manager Kokubo also praised him with a unique expression, saying, "I think he is having the most fun in his baseball life right now. When this becomes the norm, it won't be fun anymore. Please enjoy it while you can."

Masaki's 'idol and goal' is Kondo. 'I finally caught up, but he pulled away again,' he said with a wry smile as he congratulated his senior in the dugout for his 28th solo home run in the 6th inning, which followed his own. Within the team, Kurihara leads the league with 37 Home Run. If a trio of 30-Home Run hitters is formed in the remaining 14 games, it will be a feat achieved by the club for the first time in 11 years since 2015 (Matsuda, Yanagita, Lee Dae-ho).

They achieved their third six-game winning streak of the season. With the second-place Seibu Lions also losing, the magic number for the championship, which has been decreasing at a rapid pace, is now down to 5. 'It was a good week,' the manager said with satisfaction. The first three consecutive league titles since moving to Fukuoka could be decided as early as the 17th. (Koichiro Shimao)