◇Fukuoka Softbank vs Chiba Lotte Marines Round 23 (13th, MIZUHO PayPay Dome)

Chiba Lotte Marines' Koki Yamaguchi hit his 28th solo home run.

Yamaguchi, who continues to appear as the leadoff hitter, stepped into the batter's box as the first hitter in the top of the 5th inning with the team trailing by 4 runs. On a 1-0 count, he swung through a breaking ball from the opponent's starting pitcher Taiga Kamichatani, and the sharp line drive reached the left field home run terrace, getting a run back with his first home run in 11 games. Furthermore, the team later scored 3 runs in this inning through Toshiya Sato 's timely hit and other plays, closing the gap to 1 run.

This was the first Home Run in September for Yamaguchi. In August, he achieved excellent results with a monthly batting average of .302 and 10 home runs, winning his first "Taiju Life Monthly MVP Award," but he had been struggling slightly in September with 8 hits in 36 At Bats and a batting average of .222 (as of before the game). He hopes to further improve his form from here and reach the milestone of 30 home runs.

◇Koki Yamaguchi Comment
"I hit a slider. I'm glad I could hit one to help us catch up quickly. It finally came in September. I will do my best from here to reach 30."

Text by Aoi Nishijima