◇ Orix Buffaloes vs. Chiba Lotte Marines 22nd Game (5th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes Ryoma Ikeda doble in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game. With cheers from his alma mater, Osaka Toin High School, he responded to his first starting line-up call since being promoted back to the first team.

He was used as the starting line-up batter for the first time since June 13, batting eighth left fielder. In the bottom of the sixth inning with a 3-4 deficit and one run behind, he entered his third at-bat with one out and a runner on first. count From 0-1, he caught a low change-up thrown by opposing starter Kazuya Ojima pitcher. A sharp hit to the center fielder passed to the left of center fielder, and in the meantime, first base runner Ryoma Yamanaka made a quick run to score home plate.

Ikeda posted a .249 batting average of 8 Home Run 33 RBI in 90 farm games, and was promoted back to the first team on the 4th. This game, held as a collaboration support event for the Osaka Toin High School Brass Band, marked his first hit in two seasons and marked his second career RBI since the Fukuoka Softbank game on May 3, 2022, in his rookie year.

◇ Comment from Player Ikeda
"I was closer both at-bats, so I came to the plate determined to fight back. I fought hard with the mindset of trying to keep things going behind, and I'm glad they got good results. The cheering from my juniors also gave me a boost."

Text by Ao Yokoyama