SENDAI – Hideto Asamura collected his 2,000th career hit in the Rakuten Eagles’ 2-1 win over the Nippon Ham Fighters on Saturday, making him the 56th player in Japanese baseball to reach that plateau.
His 2,000th came in a two-run first inning when the 34-year-old first baseman drove in the opening run of the game with a single to right at Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi.
Asamura added a base hit in the second inning and finished the game 2-for-4.
Hideto Asamura of the Rakuten Eagles delivers an RBI single for his 2,000th career hit in the first inning of a game against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi in Sendai on May 24, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
“When I began my professional career, I never thought I’d reach 2,000 hits,” said Asamura, who joined the Eagles in 2019 as a free agent from the Seibu Lions.
“I’ll continue to take it one hit at a time and do my best to win the championship.”
Kosei Shoji (1-0) tossed six innings of one-run ball. Sachiya Yamasaki (2-2) took the loss.
In other action, Shinya Hasegawa hit two of Seibu’s four home runs to back an eight-inning gem by Tatsuya Imai (5-1) as the Lions beat the Lotte Marines 6-1.
Hideto Asamura of the Rakuten Eagles raises a board celebrating his 2,000th career hit during the first inning of a game against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi in Sendai on May 24, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Related coverage:
Baseball: Orix’s Wakatsuki hits walk-off double on NPB’s Opening Day
Baseball: Rakuten rookies visit 2011 tsunami-hit town
Baseball: Former Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka vows to break out of struggles