Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters rally with Kondo's 20th homer as Seimiya eyes All‑Star glory

On May 5, the Hokkaido Nippon‑Ham Fighters defeated the Rakuten Eagles 6–3 in a Pacific League clash after trailing early. A back‑to‑back home‑run duo by Nomura and Kiyoshi Seimiya turned the game, while Kenta Kondo hit his 20th career homer to extend the lead. Earlier, Kondo also delivered a three‑run blast against the Lotte Marines, helping the Fighters to a 7–2 win and marking his third consecutive season with 20 or more homers.

Separately, Seimiya spoke about his upcoming All‑Star Game appearance, saying, “Even if the numbers favor Nebin, I don’t want to lose,” and emphasizing his drive to perform on the big stage. He highlighted the rivalry with Tyler Nevins and his desire to answer fans’ expectations with a decisive hit.

The Fighters’ recent victories improved their standing in the league, while the players’ individual milestones and motivations added excitement ahead of the All‑Star festivities.