◆ Pacific League: Lotte 3-2 (4th, ZOZO Marine)

Rakuten Eagles pitcher Takahisa Hayakawa started the game against Lotte, allowing 5 hits and 3 runs over 6 innings, suffering his 10th loss of the season.

He got off to a great start with a no-hit pitch through the third inning. However, in the fourth inning with a one-run lead and a runner on first with no outs, he gave up a 36th two-run home run to Yamaguchi, allowing the lead to be overturned. Furthermore, in the sixth inning while trailing by one run, he gave up another solo home run to Yamaguchi, extending the deficit. Hayakawa reflected, 'Everything I'm giving up hits on are breaking balls. The location itself isn't bad, but in the end, the fact that I'm giving up hits remains the same, and the batter hitting them is the same. I want to work hard this off-season on how to counter this for next year.'

Lotte's Yamaguchi has hit 12 home runs against the team this season. The left-hander envisioned revenge, stating, 'First, it's about the precision to throw into tough spots. Things will change if each of us can master a ball that can absolutely function as a closer.'