  Wladimir Balentien hits 60th homerun!
Nederlands
 TOKYO (Japan) -
Dutch outfielder Wladimir Balentien hit his 60th homerun of the season on Friday-evening, October 4, becoming the first player in history to reach this mark in Japanese professional baseball.
On Wednesday, he missed a game due to pain in his left Achilles tendon.
He then struckout as pinch-hitter on Thursday, but returned in the line-up tonight.
Balentien was back in leftfield for Yakult Swallows in the home game against Hanshin Tigers.
In his first at bat in the first inning, he flied out and he then grounded into a double play in the fourth at bat.
In the sixth inning, with the Swallows trailing 2-0, Tsuyoshi Ueda led off with a walk and moved on a grounder by Shinya Miyamoto.
After next batter Shingo Kawabata struckout, Balentien homered to rightfield to tie the score.
The Swallows lost the game 3-2 in 12 innings.
(October 4)
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