Pacific League: Rakuten Eagles 3-1 Softbank Hawks (5th, Rakuten Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)
Rakuten Eagles pitcher Kenta Maeda started against the Softbank Hawks and earned his sixth win of the season with a strong performance, allowing 1 runs on 6 hit over six innings.
The veteran was entrusted with the mound for the final game of the season. After receiving a two-run lead by the second inning, he developed a pitch sequence that stayed ahead with strikes. He recorded a season-high 10 strike outs over 6 innings. He concluded his final appearance of the season with a win. 'I am glad my last appearance of the season turned out well,' he said with a nod.
Although he struggled at the beginning of this season, he showed his true potential as the season progressed. He finished his first year back in NPB with 6 wins, 4 losses, and a 2.19 ERA.
![[Photo] Can you see? Ryosuke Tatsumi makes a pinch-hitting appearance with his secret weapon, "Rakuten Eagles Card Glasses."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/07/28/20260728-OHT1I51487-C.jpg)
![[Scoreboard] Rakuten Eagles vs. Softbank Hawks](https://hochi.news/assets/v2/img/hochi_news_sns.png)
![[Rakuten Eagles] Manager Masato Yoshii, who took over mid-season, said 'We must all accept the result of finishing in last place...' during his speech at the final game ceremony. The team finished in last place for the first time in eight years with 26 games under .500.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/10/05/20261005-OHT1I51563-L.jpg)
![[Rakuten Eagles] Season finale ends with a win. Kenta Maeda earns his 6th win with a strong performance, allowing 1 runs and striking out 10 over 6 innings... Season ends in last place for the first time in 8 years.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/10/05/20261005-OHT1I51493-L.jpg)
![[Rakuten Eagles] Aiming to end the season finale with a victory; rookie Shoya Sakaue in the starting line-up as the number 9 hitter and left fielder; Kenta Maeda starts aiming for his 6th win.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/10/05/20261005-OHT1I51385-L.jpg)
