DeNA/Austin hits double after being forced to participate: “Honestly, I’m not in good shape, but I’m more than happy that we won.”

DeNA/Austin hits double after being forced to participate: “Honestly, I’m not in good shape, but I’m more than happy that we won.”
DeNA’s Tyler Austin hits a double in the 1st inning at Mizuho PayPay Dome (Photo by Kimio Shibui)

(SMBC Japan Series 2024, Softbank 1-4 DeNA, Game 3, Softbank 2 wins, 1 loss, 29th, Mizuho PayPay) DeNA infielder Tyler Austin (33), who missed Game 2 due to a bruise on the top of his left foot, said, Returned as No. 4/DH. He contributed to the victory by hitting a double in his first at-bat, saying, “To be honest, I’m not in the best of conditions, but I came to today looking for a way to get out.” I’m more than happy that we won.Today’s game is a must-win game. That’s what I thought, so I’m happy to have won one thing above all.”

In the 6th inning of Game 1, in his third at-bat, his own ball hit his left foot. “The team trainer has been giving me very good treatment and I am doing various things to calm down the swelling, but to be honest the swelling has not gone down yet at the pace I expected. However, I injured myself with a ball, and since then it has been a little slow to heal, so I think that might have something to do with it.The foot guard I wear is pretty thick, so I didn’t think it would last this long, but it’s still happening. The swelling remains.”

Source: Japanese