Tetsuto Yamada hit a two-run home run and stole his first base to lead the Yakult Swallows to a 6-2 Central League win over the Chunichi Dragons on Saturday afternoon.
Playing behind closed doors in a season that was delayed three months due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Yamada has taken his first steps toward another historic milestone. The Swallows second baseman is the only player in Japanese pro baseball history to bat .300 with at least 30 homers and 30 steals in more than one season.
If Yamada manages it this year, when the regular season has been shortened from 143 games to 120, it will be the fourth "triple-three" season of his career.