◆ Pacific League vs. Softbank Hawks (3rd, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Lotte pitcher Yuki Karakawa (37) started in his retirement game against the Softbank Hawks. The right-hander, who spent his entire 19-year career with Lotte, thrilled the fans in the packed stands with his full-power pitch.

He appeared in Koshien as the ace of his local Narita High School, and in his 2007 draft year, he was named one of the 'High School Big Three' alongside Sho Nakata of Osaka Toin and Yoshinori Sato of Sendai Ikuei. As the only one of the three still active this season, he pitched his first game on May 30th against the Hanshin Tigers (ZOZO), where he was the lose pitcher after allowing 4 runs in 5 innings. His second appearance of this season became his retirement match.

◆Yuki Karakawa: Born July 5, 1989, in Narita City, Chiba. 37 years old. While at Narita High School, he participated in the Senbatsu (Spring Koshien) during his second and third years. He joined Lotte as a first-round pick in the 2007 high school draft. As of the 2nd, his career totals over 350 games are 82 wins, 78 losses, 64 holds, and a 3.71 ERA. This season, he has 0 wins and 1 loss in 1 game with a 7.20 ERA. 181 cm, 90 kg. Right-handed pitcher and hitter. Estimated salary for this season is 44 million yen. Married.