◇Saitama Seibu Lions vs Chiba Lotte Marines 23rd Round (26th, Belluna Dome)

Chiba Lotte Marines' Kota Inoue hit a go-ahead 7th home run.

Following excellent pitching from both starters, the game entered the latter half at 0-0. Starter Kazuya Ojima pitcher allowed one run on a solo shot in the bottom of the 6th, but escaped a subsequent bases loaded jam with a double play. Then, in the top of the 7th, leadoff hitter Akito Takabe reached base on an infield hit. The following batter, Kota Inoue, seized a hanging breaking ball on the first pitch for a go-ahead 2-run home run.

While consistency remains an issue with a batting average in the .100s this season, Kota Inoue's power is attractive, with 7 Home Runs and 3 doble among his 19 hit. He hopes to find a catalyst for a breakthrough heading into next season.

◇Kota Inoue Comment
"I think the pitch I hit was a change-up. Ojima-san is working incredibly hard, and since I failed to produce in my second at-bat with the bases loaded, I just wanted to keep the line moving in this at-bat. I'm glad that mindset resulted in a home run. I'll keep doing my best."

Text by Minagi Niwa