◇Hokkaido Nippon-Ham vs Orix Buffaloes Game 24 (21st, ES CON FIELD)

Orix Buffaloes' Tomoya Noguchi hit a game-tying 4th 3-run home run.

In the top of the 5th inning trailing by 3 runs, he came to the plate in a scoring opportunity with runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs, created by a Walk for the lead-off Yuma Mune and a hit by Kotaro Kobayashi. While he swung and missed at the first pitch low and outside from the opposing starter Takayuki Kato pitcher, he swung through the second pitch that hung high and sent it to right field. The ball was sucked into the bullpen in the blink of an eye.

Following the previous game where he recorded 2 hits, Noguchi marked an RBI for the second consecutive game. His first home run since the August 11th game against Tohoku Rakuten Eagles became a precious game-tying shot.

◇Noguchi's Comment
"I think the pitch I hit was a cutter. I was hoping to bat in a way that would somehow advance the runner. (At the moment I hit it) I was hoping it would go over the outfield head, but I'm glad it went in!"

Text by Rihoko Niwa