Hanshin's Kinami Seiya (木浪聖也) struck out swinging in his first at-bat after returning to the first team. He appeared as a pinch hitter against the Giants at Tokyo Dome but was unable to bring the runner home, while Tigers fans erupted in cheers at the "Kinami" chant.
Hanshin's Kinami Seiya (木浪聖也) appeared as a pinch hitter in his first at-bat after returning to the first team and struck out swinging with 2 outs and no runners on base. He entered the game in the ninth inning with the score 5-1, with 2 outs and a runner on third.
When Kinami was announced, Tigers fans at Tokyo Dome erupted in cheers, reportedly celebrating his return to the first team.
Although his opportunities at the plate in the bottom of the ninth were limited that day, his use as a pinch hitter provided a moment that showed the significance of his return to the first team.