◆Pre-season game: Seibu Lions 1-2 Hanshin Tigers (10th, Koshien)

Seibu Lions 's starting pitcher Mitsunari Takahashi left the game after four innings, giving up two hit strike out one Walk and one runs. He commented that he was satisfied with the performance, saying, "It was a passing grade."

The theme was "Preparing the count, throwing strike ahead" mound. In the first inning, he allowed runner due to an error by his teammates, but he took two swings in a row struck out and ended up clearing it with three people, and although he allowed hit twice, he got through with no runs. The 3rd inning ended with a 3-way retirement, and in the 4th inning with both teams scoreless, Nakagawa hit a solo Home Run without 1 out and runner, allowing the first run, but the follow-up hit mound well. The fastest mark was 152 km, and he nodded, saying, "I can take a swing, and overall it is a passing score."

After being taken out of the game, he went into bullpen and pitch 30 more pitches. "I focused on making sure I was able to throw well up, down, left and right," he said, and is making steady progress in his preparations, with his sights set on the opening game.