◆ Pacific League Orix 2X-1 Lotte (20th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)
The Orix walk-off man jumped into the water shower with a big smile on his face. With the score tied and no outs in the ninth inning, Wakatsuki caught Kikuchi’s fastball with count at 1-0 and drove line drive into the fifth-tier seats in left field. “I was excited. I was trying to get on base as the leadoff hitter and hit something that would lead to a higher-ranked team.” His third home run of the season, a huge solo homer, was already his third walk-off hit of the season in his 42nd game since the start of the season, tying the team record.
In March and April, he contributed with three game-win RBI. However, before the game, he was struggling with a batting average of .190 in May, and recently he has had more opportunities to hand over the starting catcher role to Fukunaga. “Let’s go back to basics again.” As he went through trial and error, batting coach Kawashima spoke some positive words to him before the game. “The batting coach and many other people really watched me.” With gratitude in his heart, he immediately repaid the favor with results.
In his fourth at-bat this season, he recorded five At Bat 14 hit bats, two Home Run, and a batting average of .357, his highest in any at-bat. Manager Kishida said, “The closer we get to the end of the game, the more he turns into a frightening hitter, which is what makes him so reliable,” and smiled at his competitive spirit. The team extended their winning streak against Lotte, which began last year, to six for the first time in 23 years, bringing their lead to three again. “I want to be a nasty hitter.” With a fearless smile, number 2 will take the helm in an offensive and defensive effort to recapture the championship. (Nambu Shunta)
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・ [Orix] On the 18th, in the game against Seibu, Ryo Ota Hit by Pitch near his right hand and was taken out of the bench for the first time this season. The diagnosis was “bruise on the right wrist.”
・ [Orix] Hiroya Miyagi “I want to do my best not to lose” Inspired by Ryuhei Sotani ‘s first complete game as a pro… Starting pitcher on the 21st
・ [Orix] Ryo Ota will miss his first game of the season… On the 18th, in a game against Seibu, Hit by Pitch ‘s best batting average of .323.
・ [Orix] Reiji Higashiyama and Yuito Mae underwent Tommy John surgery on their right elbows… They are the fifth team members to do so this season, following Kosei Yoshida, Yuki Udagawa, and Atsuya Kogita
AloJapan.com