On the 8th, Nippon-Ham played their first exhibition game of the season against Hanshin Tigers. outfielder Haruki Nishikawa, who returned starting line-up after a five-year absence, started as the "number 7 hitter and designated hitter" and got his first hit since returning in the 6th inning with a single to right field. He went 1-At Bat hit 5 with three struck out, but manager Shinjo, who is instructing him on his batting improvements, praised him, saying, "Nishikawa's struck out were good. He struck out out with a solid swing." The veteran smiled with relief at the manager's words, saying, "Well, that's good then. It's my only asset right now." Regarding his first hit since returning, he said, "In terms of somehow getting the ball forward, it went forward, so I guess it's the first step."