I didn't expect the starting pitcher to hit a two-run guitar in the seventh inning with the bases loaded…I should have hit two managers who were sent out as sixth batter, but it's a shame.

Jun 08, 2025

Nihonham left-hander Yamasaki started the game against Yokohama in an away game in the interleague on the 7th. He even hit a timely two-run hit with the bases loaded with one out in the seventh inning. Yamasaki posed with a bat and a ball after the game. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS

Yamsaki hitting a timely hit to the right with the bases loaded with one out in the seventh inning against Yokohama on the 7th. It was a decisive blow that virtually confirmed the victory from 5-1 to 7-1. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS

Yamasaki has reported hits in the interleague for five consecutive years since 2021. He has also posted RBIs in the last three years. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS

The starting pitcher hit a timely two-run hit and won the start. This is not about Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers), a pioneer of 'Idolryu' who also plays pitching. This is still possible in the Japanese professional baseball Central League, where pitchers still hit without designated hitters.

Nippon Ham Fighters left-hander Sakya Yamasaki (33). He started an away game against the Yokohama BayStars on the 7th. He took the mound a week after the game against the Chiba Lotte Marines on May 31. The team is losing two consecutive games, so there must have been some pressure. Nippon Ham, the No. 1 player in the Pacific League, slowed down after entering the interleague. The Hanshin Tigers, the No. 1 player in the Central League, finished the three consecutive home games during the week with one win and two losses. He lost to Yokohama 1-2 the day before (6th).

First, pitcher Yamasaki. He went scoreless until the third inning, but allowed one run with a home run in the fourth inning. Yokohama No. 5 Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, who returned to the first team with the start of the interleague, hit a superior one-run home run. Tsutsugo properly targeted the cut fastball thrown in 2B1S. It happened with a 5-0 lead.

In the top of the seventh inning with a 5-1 lead, batter Yamasaki's time came. Nippon Ham created a chance with one out and runners on first and second bases. No. 3 Kiyomiya Kotaro hit the right and No. 4 Gunji Yoya walked to get on base. The opponent's catcher's fastball came out in the fifth Manami Chusei at-bat. One out, second and third base. Yokohama bench came out with a bases loaded. Full base by sending Manami out to intentional 4 pitches.

The time has come that I've been waiting for. Yamasaki, who had pitched one run until the sixth inning, entered the batter's box as the sixth batter. The game was played at the Central League's home stadium. According to the Central League regulations, pitchers also hit without designated hitters, but unusually, the pitcher entered '6'. The pitchers of the remaining five Pacific League teams went out as the ninth batter on the day. Pitcher Yamasaki gave up a three-run home run in the eighth inning and finished with four runs in seven ⅔ innings.

Manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo showed his willingness to actively utilize starting pitcher Yamasaki, who has a good batting performance.

Yamasaki was noted for his outstanding batting talent in high school. My future hope was to be the third hitter at Nippon Ham. Photo capture = Yasuki Sachiya SNS

Yamsaki threw a complete game against Chiba Lotte on May 16. Yamasaki posed, pointing to the board of the Marine Stadium. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS

is actually only an interleague game.

He was hitless in the previous three at-bats. He was out with a fly ball to shortstop in the first inning, a fly ball to third base in the third inning, and a ground ball to first base in the fifth inning.

With the table in front of me, my desire to win was triggered. Ball count 2B1S. The change-up thrown by opponent left-hander Yuya Sakamoto fell to a low course in the middle. He hit this ball and connected it to a right-handed hit. Two runners came into the groove. 7-1. It was a decisive shot that confirmed the team's victory. He certainly lived up to director Shinjo's strong trust and expectations.

In a media interview after the game, coach Shinjo said, "(Yamasaki) was put in No. 6, right? I knew how to play one. I should have hit two, but it's a shame."

Shinjo had previously highly evaluated Yamasaki's batting ability. He once said he could be sent off as a batter on a day when he does not take the mound. Yamasaki is also talented and interested in hitting. He also had batting training in the spring camp. Shinjo reportedly did not tell Yakasaki in advance on the 7th that he would go out as No. 6.

He has reported hits for five consecutive years since 2021. During this period, he went 6 for 24 with a batting average of 0.250-4 RBIs. Yakult's

Yamasaki in hitting training at Okinawa Spring Camp. Photo capture = Nippon-Ham Fighters SNS

He had two hits and an RBI against the Wallos. In May last year, when he moved to Nippon Ham, he hit an RBI timely hit against Hanshin. The batting talent that was good enough to record the most hits in the spring Koshien tournament in high school is still alive. Yamasaki's hit is likely to feel like a gift to Nippon Ham fans.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.