Pacific League Orix vs. Rakuten (27th, Kyocera D Osaka)

Rakuten Eagles offense has overcome the Samurai pitcher who is returning from the WBC. New import outfielder Carson McCusker 's bat has brought in the first runs. In the first inning, with one out and runners on second and third base, McCusker swung hard at Miyagi's low inside fastball and sent it down the left field line. After the two-run doble, he smiled and said, "First of all, I'm relieved to have gotten a hit in the opening game. Tatsumi got on base (with Walk), and Luke Boyd got a hit, so it was a great opportunity and I'm glad I could give Shoji the first run."

He added to the onslaught in the second inning, when Luke Boyd infielder scored two doble runs down the left field line with 2-0 bases loaded to start the inning. With two outs and runners on second and third, McCusker hit another double wall to left doble. Kurokawa and Asamura hit timely hits to score six runs in a row and KO Miyagi.