Shogo Akiyama tied Japan's single-season hits record with five hits for the Seibu Lions in their game against the Orix Buffaloes on Wednesday.

In a huge game for the Lions, Akiyama went 5-for-5, with two walks, at Kyocera Dome to raise his season total to 214, which ties Matt Murton's Nippon Professional Baseball record — while the third-place Lions maintained their slim lead over Chiba Lotte in the playoff race.

The first player to reach 200 hits since NPB introduced a less-lively uniform ball in 2011, Akiyama started the day with 209 hits, one behind Ichiro Suzuki, whose record Murton broke in 2010. The 2010 season was a record year for offense when three of NPB's four highest hit totals were achieved.