The Nippon Ham Fighters scripted a rare moment in Nippon Professional Baseball on Tuesday, blasting four straight home runs to start the game before the Orix Buffaloes could record a single out. The onslaught helped the Fighters cruise to a 9‑1 victory, marking a new benchmark for consecutive leadoff homers in the league's history.
The quartet of long balls was delivered by rookie Shun Mizutani, veteran Tatsuki Mizuno, power hitter Franmil Reyes and utility player Chusei Mannami, who capped the sequence with the record‑breaking shot off Orix starter Kazuma Sato’s two‑two slider. Sato, who had been cruising early in the contest, was pulled after the fourth homer, underscoring the shockwave the Fighters created in the early innings.
What made the performance even more striking was the speed at which the Fighters accumulated their 100th home run of the season, achieving the milestone in just 78 games. The feat not only eclipsed the previous record of three straight leadoff homers but also illustrated the depth of the lineup that manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo has cultivated.
‘A Moment to Celebrate’
Manager Shinjo, beaming in the dugout, described the sequence as a ‘gift to the fans’ and praised the composure of his hitters. ‘Seeing them swing with such confidence right out of the gate gives us a huge boost,’ he said, adding that the display reinforced the club’s belief in its home‑grown talent.
The Fighters have built their recent success on a blend of youthful domestic players and seasoned imports, a strategy that has turned them into serious contenders for the Pacific League crown. After finishing as runners‑up the previous year, the team is now focused on translating this explosive start into sustained excellence.
With the pennant race still unfolding, Shinjo and his staff are already plotting the next steps, emphasizing consistency and the development of young arms. The historic opening salvo has not only shifted early season expectations but also set a psychological edge as the Fighters chase their first league title in years.