Kenta Kurihara is somewhat disappointed in his statistics so far this season, and a bit embarrassed as well.

The Hiroshima Carp cleanup hitter, through games of Thursday, had hit only four home runs, driven in 16 and was batting .280. He knows he can do better and has to improve if the Carp are to qualify for the Central League Climax Series in October.

The husky first baseman said he was especially frustrated he has not hit more balls over the fence since taking over the No. 4 hole in the Hiroshima lineup from Takahiro Arai, who became a free agent and left the Carp for the Hanshin Tigers during the offseason.