Tetsuto Yamada had three hits against the Hiroshima Carp but it was a stolen base that mattered most to Swallows fans on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Jingu Stadium.
The Tokyo Yakult cheering section launched into rhythmic exhortations of "hashire (run!) Yamada" whenever the Yakult infielder was on base.
Finally, in the sixth inning, Yamada gave the faithful what they'd been waiting for, taking off and swiping second for his 30th stolen base of the season.
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