◆ Pacific League: Rakuten Eagles vs. Softbank Hawks (17th, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)
Softbank Hawks. Ryoya Kurihara infielder gave up two runs in the first inning.
Masaki, batting leadoff for the second consecutive game, successfully reached base with a single to left field. With two outs and a runner on second, Kurihara swung at slider from Rakuten Eagles 's starting pitcher Fujii. He sent his 12th home run of the season, a two-run shot to right field, giving his team the lead. This puts them in control of the game and helps prevent their first three-game sweep against the same opponent this season. "I was able to connect perfectly with my swing. I want to support Yugo (Maeda) today so that he can get the win," he promised.
![[Scoreboard] Rakuten Eagles vs. Softbank Hawks](/asset/img/news/source/logo_hochi.png){kind=logo}
![[Softbank Hawks] To prevent the first three-game sweep in the same opponent this season Tomoya Masaki starting line-up as the leadoff hitter for the second consecutive game.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/17/20260517-OHT1I51173-L.jpg)
![[Softbank Hawks] Kensuke Kondo removed from the active roster under special bereavement leave to attend the wake and funeral of his older brother, Yosuke, who passed away on the 6th at the age of 38. This is the second instance of this rule being applied this season, following Hiroshi Kondo of the Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/17/20260517-OHT1I51117-L.jpg)
![[Softbank Hawks] Yuta Yamamoto gets his first hit since joining the team in his second game. Traded from DeNA on the 12th.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/16/20260516-OHT1I51151-L.jpg)
