◇ Chiba Lotte Marines vs. Fukuoka Softbank 8th Round (28th, Zozo Marine Stadium)

​Tomoya Masaki Fukuoka Softbank hit his 9th three-run homer to take the lead.

In the top of the second inning with neither team scoring scores, Fukuoka Softbank created a good opportunity with runners on first and third through consecutive hits by Ryuta Hirose and Takashi Umino with one out. Masaki, who came to bat there, was pushed to count 1-2 but managed to catch the breaking ball of the opposing starter, Kazuya Ojima pitcher. The ball struck the left-center stands, giving the team a significant opening goal.

Masaki also hit a leadoff hitter home run in the Orix Buffaloes game on the 24th, marking 6 Home Run this month. He is just one step away from achieving double-digit Home Run for the first time in his career.

◇ Comment from Masaki
"The one who hit was slider. Anyway, I was determined to make the most of every opportunity to score first. I was pushed into the corner and somehow changed my mindset to sacrifice fly, and as a result, home run connected to the best form. I'll keep working hard so I can bat that leads to victory."

Text by Aoi Nishijima