◇ Orix Buffaloes vs. Tohoku Rakuten Eagles, Game 3 (29th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes Kotaro Kobayashi The player hit the first home run of the season.

Starting as the number 9 short stop, Kurebayashi recorded his first hit of the season in his first at-bat. Then, in the bottom of the 4th inning with a 2-run lead and one out with no runner on base, he came up to bat again. Tsuruzaki Taisei He connected with the first pitch thrown by pitcher. When the ball landed in the left-center field stands, he pumped his fist in celebration.

Kurebayashi struggled in the preseason games, batting only .071, and has been hit in 5 At Bat since the season began. It remains to be seen if this game will be the turning point that will bring him back into form.

◇Comment from Kurebayashi
"I got a hit in my previous at-bat, so I was able to step up to the plate feeling a little more relaxed. I'll do my best to get more hits until the end!"

Written by Aoi Nishijima