◆ Pacific League: Nippon-Ham vs. Seibu Lions (17th, ES CON FIELD)

Nippon-Ham 's third-round draft pick, infielder Ruan Ohtsuka, recorded his first professional hit in his first appearance and first at-bat.

He started the game as the leadoff hitter and second starting line-up. In the first inning, he stepped up to the plate as the first batter and hit a 138 km/h splitter from Seibu Lions 's starting pitcher Watanabe. He hit doble down the right field line for his first professional hit, and as usual, manager Shinjo rushed out of the dugout to secure the commemorative ball.

defense, in the first inning with no outs and a runner on third, he made a quick throw to home plate on Genda's fly ball to right field, but it was a wild throw that went over catcher 's head. However, with one out and a runner on first, he fielded Hayashi's hit near second base and completed double play with a quick toss.

Otsuka played in 14 games in the farm league, batting .267 with 1 Home Run and 6 RBI. He replaced Castro, who had 2 Home Run but a batting average of .125 with no hit other than his home run, and earned his first promotion to the first team.

Before the game, Otsuka had expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I want to play with the energy and enthusiasm of a rookie and try to change the momentum a little." His hit, including scoring the tying run on Reyes' sacrifice fly, provided a much-needed boost to the team that had been on a losing streak.