◆ Pacific League League: Rakuten Eagles (29th, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Rakuten Eagles 's pitcher Kenta Maeda (38) started the game against Lotte.

In the first inning, he gave up a single to Fujiwara, the leadoff hit, and then runs on sacrifice fly to left field by Terachi with one out and a runner on third. He gave up the first run of the game.

The veteran, who returned to NPB this season after an 11-year absence, is aiming for his first win in his third appearance. In his previous start on the 7th against Nippon-Ham he had to leave the game in the 4th inning due to a cramp in his right calf. Looking ahead to his first appearance on mound in the first team in about three weeks, he expressed his determination, saying, "Now that I'm back, I want to contribute to the team. I want to pitch in a way that will lead to a win."

As of before this game, he has appeared in two games this season, with a record of 0 wins and 1 loss and ERA 2.45. If pitcher win, it will be his first victory in Japan in 3862 days, since his game against the Chunichi Dragons on October 2, 2015 (at Mazda Stadium).