Ouch! Takahiro Kouno Shelved by Injury
Earlier today, <Fukuoka:team#282> catcher <Takahiro Kouno:player#14451> had to leave the game against <Chiba:team#281> because of an injury. Team officials are reporting that he has a strained hip muscle and will miss 5-6 months of play. <Kouno:player#14451> was hurt running the bases and was unable to continue playing. He will be evaluated this afternoon by team physicians. 

This year <Kouno:player#14451> has hit 12 home runs and posted a .232 batting average.