◇Chiba Lotte Marines vs. Tohoku Rakuten Eagles Game 19 (9th, Zozo Marine Stadium)

Chiba Lotte Marines' Toshiya Sato hit his 16th solo Home Run.

In the bottom of the 2nd inning trailing by 4 points. The 4th batter Sato entered the batter's box as the lead-off. On a 2-0 count, he hit back the fastball from the opponent's starting pitcher Kosei Shoji, and the ball flew toward right-center. It was a counterattacking shot that pierced the stands.

Sato had been hot in September, batting .316 (6 hits in 19 At Bats) with 1 Home Run in 5 games (as of before the game). He responded to being appointed as the 4th batter for the third consecutive game.

◇Sato's Comment
"I hit a fastball. The count was in the batter's favor, and the atmosphere felt a bit off, so I was just trying to get on base as the lead-off, and as a result, I was able to make a good swing. Today is my wife's birthday, so I was hoping I could hit one, and I'm glad I did."

Text by Aoi Nemoto