Lin An-ko returns to starting lineup, Canario's two homers lead Seibu to victory

Central News Agency (Taipei, 24th) Taiwanese outfielder Lin An-ko, playing for the Saitama Seibu Lions in Nippon Professional Baseball, returned to the starting lineup today for the first time since the 19th. He reached base twice via walks/hit-by-pitch, while the Lions secured a 4-3 victory over the Orix Buffaloes thanks to two home runs by Alexander Canario. Lin started as the fifth hitter and left fielder. He drew a walk in his first at-bat in the bottom of the first, struck out in the third, and was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the fifth with two outs and a runner on third, before being replaced by a pinch runner. He finished with one at-bat, one strikeout, one walk, and one hit-by-pitch. The Lions' offense was sparked by Canario's leadoff home run in the first inning, followed by a sacrifice fly from Tyler Nevin to take the lead. After being tied in the top of the sixth, Canario hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to regain the lead. A solo home run by Kotaro Kurebayashi in the top of the ninth was not enough to change the outcome.