Tokyo Yakult Swallows slugger Wladimir Balentien became the 18th player in Japanese baseball history to homer in four consecutive at-bats with a two-run drive in the first inning of a game against the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks at Yafuoku Dome on Wednesday. The Swallows would go on to lose 7-3.
Balentien, 28, is the first to homer in four consecutive at-bats since Atsuya Furuta achieved the feat in 2003. The record has been accomplished a total of 19 times.
Balentien homered in the ninth inning starting in game against the Nippon Ham Fighters on Saturday and homered in three straight at-bats, in between a pair of walks, over the course of three games, featuring his 20th homer, a blast to deep center off Kazuyuki Hoashi in his first at-bat on Wednesday.