◇ Chiba Lotte Marines vs Orix Buffaloes Game 24 (22nd, Zozo Marine Stadium)

Orix Buffaloes' Kotaro Kobayashi hit a game-tying 17th solo home run.

In the top of the 2nd inning, immediately after allowing the opening run in the bottom of the 1st. Entering the batter's box as the lead-off hitter, Kotaro Kobayashi caught a fastball thrown by the opponent's starting pitcher Jackson and drove it into the right-field stands. Without letting the momentum shift to the opponent, he immediately brought the game back to a draw with his first home run in four games.

Including this game, there are only 7 games left in the season. Having entered a mass-production phase, will he reach 20 home runs for the first time in his career?

◇ Kotaro Kobayashi Comment
"I hit a fastball. (At the moment of impact) I wasn't sure, but it rode the wind nicely."

Text by Mao Tsutsui