[Japan Series] Softbank 's Hotaka Yamakawa hits a spectacular solo home run to open the scoring! "I want to put myself in checkmate," says Hodaka, the sixth player in history to hit three consecutive Koshien | Pacific League League.com - NPBHUB

[Japan Series] Softbank ‘s Hotaka Yamakawa hits a spectacular solo home run to open the scoring! “I want to put us in checkmate,” he says, becoming the sixth player in history to hit three consecutive home runs, creating a stir Koshien.

Sports Hochi

2025.10.29(水) 18:29

With no outs in the second inning, Hotaka Yamakawa hit a solo home run over the center field fence to score the first run of the game and was congratulated by the other teammates. (Photo by Yoshimura Haruko)

◆SMBC Japan Series 2025 Game 4 Hanshin Tigers vs. Softbank (29th, Koshien)

Softbank infielder Hotaka Yamakawa hit Home Run in three consecutive games, tying the Japan Series record. He is the sixth player to do so since Hiroshima’s Eldred did so in Games 1-3 of the 2016 series.

With both teams having struck out three batters in the first inning, he was the first to head into the second inning. After being easily put in a tight spot by Hanshin Tigers ‘s Takahashi with two pitches, he fouled off the ball and then hit a straight ball on the fourth pitch into the back screen. “I hit it straight. It was a little ahead, but I had a good view and was able to swing properly. I’m glad it was home run run that gave us the important lead. I want to somehow win today and put us in a position to win.” According to NPB+, the ball was hit at a speed of 169 km/h, at an angle of 30 degrees, and traveled a distance of 122 meters.

He was a big hitter who was not in the starting starting line-up for Game 1. In Game 2, where the team dominated Hanshin Tigers with 10 runs, he racked up five RBI, including his first three-run home run. In Game 3 the night before, with the score at 0-1 and one out in the fourth inning, he hit his second solo home run to the left of the back screen to tie the game. With the score at 2-1, he again hit a valuable leadoff home run.

Below are the past three consecutive Home Run in the Japan Series.

1958 (5) – (7) Futoshi Nakanishi (Nishitetsu)

1985 (1)-(3) Bath (Hanshin Tigers)

2000〈1〉～〈3〉 Kenji Jojima (Daiei)

2003〈3〉-〈5〉 Tomonori Kanemoto (Hanshin Tigers)

2016〈1〉-〈3〉 Eldred (Hiroshima)