◆パ・リーグ　ソフトバンク２―３楽天（１５日・みずほペイペイドーム）

Softbank Hawks suffered consecutive losses, guaranteeing their second series loss of the season. They are now 0.5 games behind second-place Rakuten Eagles. If they lose the same series on the 16th (in Kitakyushu), they will lose first place for the first time this season.

Ozeki went up mound to start the game, but gave up Walk with two outs in the first inning and allowed a timely doble to Kurokawa immediately after. Although he gave up the first run, he then showed his tenacity pitch and gave up the winning run in the 5th inning when Tatsumi hit a timely shot to right with two outs and runners at first and third, but he held on for 2 runs.

Yamakawa hit a double to left with two outs in the 4th inning to make it 0-1, and in the 1-2 7th inning, Shoko came home from third runner during a two-out double play by the substitute batter Akira Nakamura to tie the game twice.

However, Ogata was hit by the first pitch to Murabayashi when he went up to mound with two outs in the 8th inning. 155 km/h straight ball was caught, allowing the lead to slip away again.

The score remained unchanged, resulting in a loss. This marks the first time since the three-game series Rakuten Eagles (Mizuho PayPay Dome) starting on April 15th last season that they have suffered consecutive losses at home Rakuten Eagles.