The Tokyo Yakult Swallows and Seibu Lions lead their leagues, Murakami Munetaka set an NPB record with five consecutive home runs

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The Tokyo Yakult Swallows continues to be the best baseball team in the Central League and also the NPB in terms of wins/losses. The team has won 58 games and has had 36 losses. #2 is the Hanshin Tigers who won 49 and lost 47.

Meanwhile Yakult slugger and reigning MVP Murakami Munetaka (22) set a new professional baseball record with 5 consecutive home runs. The last person who had four straight at bat homers in the NPB was Brandon Laird in 2017.

Murakami said of his 5th consecutive homer, “I was thinking of hitting four straight. Last night, I had a dream that I would hit a home run, so I went to the plate thinking it could happen. I was able to concentrate as usual, and wanted to put a good swing on a big pitch if I got one. I got one and I did”.

Murakami was trying for a sixth consecutive but instead doubled and scored. But still, what an impressive performance from the young third basemen!

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新記録おめでとうございます🎉 pic.twitter.com/wmWPNqmS6Z

— あさみめぐる (@asami_meguru) August 2, 2022

What happened to the Yomiuri Giants who were #2? They have since slipped to second to last with 45 wins and 51 losses.

The Seibu Lions are a game and a half ahead of the Softbank Hawks with 51 wins and 44 losses. The Daiei Softbank Hawks which were #1 last month, slipped a little with a 47-43 record but it’s too close to predict who will be #1 as both teams are battling the top spot.

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