◆ Seibu Lions Pacific League: Seibu vs. Rakuten Eagles (October 10th, Belluna Dome)

Rakuten Eagles 's pitcher Masaru Fujii, made his first relief appearance in 943 days, since the game against Lotte on October 10, 2023 (Rakuten Eagles Mobile). He gave up 5 hit 3 runs in 3 innings.

In the third inning, with the score 0-2, he came in as the third pitcher, replacing the second pitcher, Tsurusaki. On the third pitch he threw to Nevin, the leadoff batter of the inning, a 135 km/h breaking ball was hit into the left field stands, giving up a run right away.

In the top of the fourth inning, trailing 0-3, he walked Takizawa, leaving a runner on second with one out. On the fourth pitch to the next batter, Nishikawa, he threw slider, which was hit into the right field stands, giving up the fifth run.

He threw 50 pitches in a long relief appearance, mixing in slider and sinkers with his fastest fastball reaching 142 km/h. He was replaced in the sixth defense when Tanaka Chi took mound.

Fujii made his first appearance and start of the season on April 17 against Lotte (Rakuten Eagles Mobile's strongest team), pitching six innings, allowing only two hit and no runs. Last season, he appeared in 22 games, all as a starter.