◇ Saitama Seibu Lions vs. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham, Game 10 (26th · Belluna Dome)

Saitama Seibu Lions ’s Kanario hit a game-tying RBI single.

He started the game as the “No. 1 batter for right fielder.” In the bottom of the 3rd inning, with his team trailing by one run and one out, Kazunari Ishii the player reached base on a doble. The next batter, Kanario, Hiromi Ito pitcher slider and drove it back for a game-tying RBI hit.

Canario, who also hit a hit in his first at-bat, has now recorded a hit in eight consecutive games, dating back to the June 16 game against the Hanshin Tigers. Although he had been struggling in June with a .193 batting average (as of before the game) over 16 games, he is now finding his form.

◇ Kanario’s Comments
“I hit a slider. With runner in scoring position, I stepped into the batter’s box thinking only about bringing runner home. I’m glad it led to a run.”

Text by Mao Tsutsui