Nippon-Ham: Reyes' two home runs at No. 4 "I'm focused on making something happen" - 25 points, the most in the league, 1.5 points behind first-place SoftBank Hawks | Pacific League

レイエスは２回に２６号、７回に２７号を放った　（カメラ・上村　尚平）

Pacific League Nippon-Ham 8-3 Softbank (23rd, ES CON FIELD)

On the 23rd, Nippon-Ham won the second round of their three-game series against the top-ranked Softbank with a comfortable 8-3 victory. The winning streak brought their lead to a season-high 25 games, bringing them within 1.5 games of the lead. outfielder Franmil Reyes (30), playing as the No. 4 hitter and designated hitter, hit a solo home run over the left field wall in the second inning to take the lead, his 26th home run, and a massive solo home run over the back screen in the seventh. With two RBI in two consecutive games, he performed as the team’s main batter.

With one swing, Reyes took the uniquely tense atmosphere into his own. In the second inning, he came up to bat first and scooped up fork from Softbank starter Yuya Arihara. His 26th solo home run, the first run of the game, hit wall at the back of the left bullpen. “I’m really happy. This is an important game for both teams. I was conscious of hitting it right in the center and making something happen.” In the seventh inning, he followed that up with a 27th solo home run, sending it into the back screen. His face was all smiles as he celebrated his two home runs at the crucial moment.

That’s exactly what a main batter does. This season, he has one hit and six struck out in nine At Bat against Arihara. The team was closer a 1-2 record, including a shutout game loss in the match on July 1st (Tokyo Dome). The opening hit gave the team courage. “Arihara won the last two matches, but thanks to that hit, I was able to firmly establish my own path. My role is to help the team on wall,” he said proudly.

On the 22nd, he hit a two-run single to center field to turn the game around, giving him two RBI in two consecutive games. Manager Shinjo also praised him, saying, “He’s in the zone now. What iron was that? (laughs) center fielder. That was amazing. He’s in the zone.” He broke his personal best with 27 home runs and 76 RBI, and with seven Home Run RBI and 21 RBIs, he is leading the league by a large margin over second place. On the podium, he stated his numerical goals in Japanese, saying, “35 home runs, 100 RBIs (RBI) – I’ll do my best.”

Riding the momentum set by their No. 4 hitter, the batting line-up racked up 12 hit 8 runs. They overcame the tough opponent Arihara and with consecutive wins, they are now 1.5 games behind. In the third round on the 24th, the team will face Moinelo, who they have faced six times this season, losing four times. “Tomorrow’s starting pitcher is Moinelo, and we know he’s a good pitcher. We’re not thinking about 2 wins and 1 loss or three wins in a row, we’re just going to play baseball, that’s all we’re going to think about.” Having lost all three of the previous three-game series, the team is of course aiming to beat Moinelo and make a comeback. With the unrivaled bat of their main batter, they will close in on the leaders in one go. (Yamaguchi Yasushi)