◇ Tohoku Rakuten Eagles vs Orix Buffaloes 12th Round (16th, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

​Kotaro Kobayashi players from Orix Buffaloes were active both offensively and defensively.

In the top of the second inning, with one out and a runner on first, Kurebayashi hit a doble to right-center field for the go-ahead hit. In the bottom of the fourth, with runner on first, he kept a difficult bounce by dropping the ball, quickly throw to second base, and made a double play, relying on starting pitcher Hiroshi pitcher in defense.

In the bottom of the fifth, although the team gave up three runs, with two outs and runners on third, Fumiya Kurokawa hit a hit by a player with a perfect jump catch. After escaping the jam, he reached base with two outs in the top of the sixth inning with hit outs. From there, the batting lineup connected, and they succeeded in taking the lead again.

Although he struggled in April, batting in the .100s, he regained his form from May onward, and in July, he posted a .282 average before games. This series marks his third consecutive multi-hit in the series.

◇ Comment from player Kuririn (Top of the 2nd inning, timely doble)
"I wanted to somehow connect the ball back in a good way. I'm glad they jumped to the right spot and led to the opening goal!"

Text by Minagi Niwa