Lin An-ko Hits 2nd NPB Career Homer; 3-Hit, 4-RBI Performance Leads Seibu to Victory

(Central News Agency, Taipei, 25th) Saitama Seibu Lions outfielder Lin An-ko delivered a stellar performance today, going 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs and hitting a crucial two-run home run in the 8th inning. His efforts helped the Lions defeat the Rakuten Golden Eagles 9-7.

In the NPB regular season matchup, Lin started as the No. 5 hitter and left fielder. The Lions struck early in the 1st inning with an RBI double from Alexander Canario, followed by Lin's RBI single to give the team a 2-0 lead. Rakuten fought back to tie the game, but Lin regained the lead for Seibu in the 3rd with another RBI single in a bases-loaded situation.

After a see-saw battle where Rakuten's Ryosuke Tatsumi hit a 3-run homer, Lin drew a walk in the 5th and eventually scored to tie the game at 5-5. In the 8th, with the Lions leading 7-5, Lin crushed a two-run homer off reliever Masaya Nishigaki, extending the lead to 9-5. Although Rakuten added a two-run homer in the bottom of the 8th, Seibu's closer secured the 9-7 win. The win was credited to 19-year-old reliever Hibiki Shinohara, his first career victory. Lin's batting average currently stands at .237.