From giant Iori Yamasaki to the right wing seat with a foul
■ Giants-Hiroshima (15th, Tokyo Dome)
Shogo Akiyama, an outfielder who entered Hiroshima from the US baseball world, hit the first home run after returning to the Japanese baseball world. It was the 25th turn at bat in 7 games of the 1st army since entering Hiroshima. This is the first home run in Akiyama’s NPB official game in 1036 days since the Seibu era against Lotte on September 13, 2019.
When he entered the turn at bat with 1st and 2nd base in the first Giants match held at Tokyo Dome on the 15th, he fouled against starting pitcher Iori Yamasaki, who was attacking a higher internal angle. He caught the eighth ball from the full count, a 145km straight to the middle, and made the first two runs to carry to the right wing seat.
Akiyama had a batting average of .136 with 22 at bats and 3 hits up to this match, and was struggling to adapt.
