[Softbank Hawks] Ryoya Kurihara leads record-breaking hitting show: "I focused on my own hitting" 5 hit and 5 RBI in one game, surpassing the cycle Kondo also contributes with 4 hit 4 RBI | Pacific League

[Softbank Hawks] Ryoya Kurihara leads a record-breaking hitting spree: "I focused on my own hitting" He surpassed the cycle with 5 hit and 5 RBI in a single game, with Kondo not to be outdone, recording 4 hit and 4 RBI.

Sports Hochi

July 23, 2026 05:00

Kensuke Kondo (left) and Ryoya Kurihara smile during their post-game interview (Photo by Daisuke Iwata)

◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 22-2 Orix Buffaloes (22nd, Mizuho PayPay Stadium)

It was a record-breaking offensive display. With 26 hit—the most since the Softbank Hawks was introduced in 2005—and 22 runs scored—tying the record—Ryoya Kurihara infielder (30) stood tall, saying, “I stepped into the batter’s box focused on executing my own swing,” showing no signs of letting up.With a 14-run lead in the sixth inning with one out, he blasted his 29th solo home run over the center-field wall. It was his second game with five hit—surpassing a cycle (achieved at triple)—and a career first. With five RBI, he extended his total to 73 RBI, closing the gap to just one behind league leader Kondo, who has four At Bat, four hit, and four RBI.

From the first to the fourth, the KK duo of Kondo and Kurihara kept their momentum unstoppable. In the first inning, they hit consecutive RBI hits, and in the second, they hit their seventh home run of the season, marking back-to-back home runs. In the third and fourth innings, they hit consecutive hit, tying the league's record for the longest streak of four inning hit. Manager Kokubo narrowed his eyes and said, "The title race within the team is a plus. We're excited for the synergy."

In the 4th inning, with one out and runners on second and third, Yu Yamamoto hit a two-run single to hit all starters in just 4 inning. 'Hitable catcher,' who had been sidelined with a fractured left hook bone, returned to the first team since June 3. The team's powerful lineup, which was running smoothly in first place, gained even more momentum.

The team finished the first half of the season with a 4-1 record in the final nine games. On the victory podium, Kondo joked about the title race, saying, "Kurihara is quite conscious of me," to which Kurihara retorted, "I think Kondo was able to score (from first base) on my first hit (doble). He's definitely conscious of me," and then shouted, "It's good that my mom came all the way from Fukui." The strength of the reigning champions, who are aiming for their third consecutive league title, is becoming increasingly apparent. (Koichiro Shimao)