◆Exhibition game Rakuten Eagles 6-2 The Giants (22nd, Tokyo Dome)

Rakuten Eagles was the first win in seven games since the game against Chunichi (Banterin D) on March 14. With a final record of 4 wins, 10 losses, and 5 draws in the open tournament, the team avoided the bottom of the open tournament standings by surpassing Lotte (4-11-2), who lost on the same day.

Rakuten Eagles, who were on a four-game losing streak with two draws in between, took the lead in the fourth inning with a solo home run infielder Luke Voit against The Giants, who would have been in sole possession of first place in the preseason if they had won. They then pulled away in the fifth inning with four more runs, including a two-doble by outfielder Ryosuke Tatsumi. Tatsumi, who had been adjusting with the second team since the middle of spring training due to discomfort in his hip joint, made his first appearance in the preseason games and showed his presence with three hit and two RBI.

Starting pitcher Sota Fujiwara (Hanazono University), the team's first-round draft pick, pitched well, allowing only 3 hit 1 runs through 5 innings, putting him in a strong position to secure a spot in the opening day rotation.

Rakuten Eagles will face Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome in their opening series starting on the 27th.