◆ Pacific League Nippon-Ham 4-3 Lotte (31st, ESCON)

Nippon-Ham walk-off The team won 4-3 in the 9th inning against Lotte (ESCON) on March 31st. pitcher The first time the team has won a game in a row, they have tied their season high with eight wins, Pacific League, and have decided to enter the interleague tournament in the top spot. He met the expectations of manager Shinjo, who had instructed him to prepare for a substitute and then suddenly substituted him, walk-off calling for the third dramatic hit of the season by the man, Gunji.

Even though he was in a tight spot after two pitches, Yazawa's mind was clear. "I made contact with the ball that came, and I was easily in a tight spot, so I was able to think simply." Trailing by two runs in the ninth inning, with two outs and runners on second and third. He was down to one pitch more, but on the fifth pitch, with the score at 2-2, he hit a 152 km/h fastball from Lotte's Suzuki, which he hit to center field. It was a two-run timely hit that tied the game. He raised his left arm amid loud cheers.

It was an unexpected turn to bat. With the team behind, he was instructed to prepare for a pinch runner. "I didn't even hold the bat once during the game," he said with a wry smile. Without even swinging the bat, he suddenly hit the ball to the next batter. Manager Shinjo also said, "Why did I say Yazawa-kun? 'Yazawa-kun' came out of nowhere. And then he said, 'Hold the bat.' It was a hunch. I can't explain it." He could only laugh at the hit that responded to the "hunch computer."

He was happy with the best hit, but his work wasn't done yet. "The moment I hit it, I thought, Lucky! At first I was happy, but I thought I was waiting for stolen base. I was under a different kind of pressure, so I wanted to be more happy, but it was only for a moment." As a foot specialist, he also succeeded in stealing second base on the next pitch from Gunji. He also produced results in his "main job," bringing about walk-off win.

With the team's winning streak, they now have eight points, tying their season record. They will also enter the interleague games in first place. "My goal is to play in starting line-up for one game, and for the whole year. I want to grab these little chances, little by little," said Yazawa. Even though they are in first place, the battle for a regular spot continues. First, they will revitalize the team by pushing from the bench. (Yamaguchi Yasushi)

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