◇Seibu Lions vs Chiba Lotte Marines Game 22 (25th, Belluna Dome)

Chiba Lotte Marines' Koki Yamaguchi performed well with 2 hits and 2 RBIs. He contributed to stopping the team's losing streak.

With 　Akito Takabe 's return to the first team, Yamaguchi was used in the starting line-up as the "No. 2 DH." The team was held hitless by the opponent's starter Kona Takahashi until the 5th inning, but in the top of the 6th, they attacked the second pitcher, Hibiki Shinohara. In his third at-bat with two outs and a runner on second following Ryusei Ogawa 's first hit for the team, Yamaguchi, despite being cornered with a 1-2 count, swung compactly at the fourth pitch, a fastball, to drive in the opening RBI hit.

Furthermore, in the top of the 9th with a two-point lead, Takabe's RBI hit added another run, and with a scoring opportunity at two outs and runners on 1st and 3rd, Yamaguchi stepped into the batter's box. He skillfully handled a biting shootball thrown low and inside by the fifth pitcher, Haruto Yamada, by rotating his body, sending the ball into left field. He snatched a precious insurance run that brought the team closer to a win.

Yamaguchi has been having a fulfilling season so far this year with a .277 batting average, 32 Home Runs, and 68 RBIs. He had been in a slight slump in September, appearing in 16 games with a .234 batting average, but can he show his presence again in the final stages of the season, triggered by this multi-hit game, his first in six games?

◇Yamaguchi's Comment (Top of the 6th)
"I hit a straight ball. Haruya is doing his best, and I'm glad I could get a hit when opportunities were scarce. I'll do my best to get more insurance runs and win the game."

Text by So Yokoyama