◆ Pacific League: Nippon-Ham vs. Rakuten Eagles (20th, ES CON FIELD)

Rakuten Eagles lost a close game to Nippon-Ham, suffering their third consecutive defeat and dropping to last place.

Starting pitcher Kenta Maeda had a tough pitch. In the first inning, with no outs and runners on first and second, he gave up an RBI single to Gunji, immediately conceding the first run. In the second inning, immediately after the team tied the game, he allowed triple and Walk, putting runners on first and third with one out, and then sacrifice fly to Mizuno, allowing the go-ahead run. In the third inning, he walked Gunji, the leadoff batter, and then hit Walk to Asama with one out. He was taken out of the game in the middle of the third inning after throwing 72 pitches, having given up 4 hit, 3 Walk and 2 runs.

The batting lineup tied the game in the 6th inning with a run scored on Murabayashi's double to left with one out bases loaded. With one out bases loaded again, Irie hit a fly to right near the regular position, and Nakajima touched up at third runner. However, he was out by an impressive home run throw by right fielder Mannami of Nippon-Ham. He could not win the game.

In the sixth inning, with the score tied, Sho Suzuki took mound. With two outs and a runner on second base, he gave up a two-run homer to Hosokawa to right field, allowing the opposing team to take the lead.