◆ Pacific League Rakuten Eagles 8-5 Lotte (24th -Rakuten Eagles Mobile is the strongest)

Rakuten Eagles held onto the lead they gained in the first inning with an eight-hit eight-run offensive, snapping their five-game losing streak. The eight runs scored in the first inning tie the team record set against Seibu Lions on April 15, 2018 (Rakuten Eagles Seimei Park). Despite being last in Pacific League League, Rakuten Eagles 's offensive power, which had been a weakness, is improving. Will they become the dark horse in the interleague series starting on the 26th? Freelance reporter Kazuaki Hoshino, who was also on-site to cover the eight runs in the first inning eight years ago, "saw" it.

The eight hit and eight runs in the first inning felt like "revenge" for the previous night when they had a four-run lead overturned in the ninth inning. The scorekeeper informed me that "Rakuten Eagles 's eight runs in the first inning is the first time the team has done so since April 15, 2018, against Seibu Lions." I was in the press box for that game as well. Witnessing "eight hit and eight runs in the first inning for the first time in eight years" feels like good luck (even though my Oaks bet was a loss...).

Although they couldn't score any more runs after that, Rakuten Eagles offense managed a total of 14 hit. Even during their five-game losing streak, they had double-digit hit in three games, so their offensive power, which had been a weakness, is improving. What impressed me most while covering this three-game series was their aggressive approach of swinging early in count.

Despite being in last place with a deficit of 7 games, the team's atmosphere seems good. Taira, who hit hit to ignite the offensive onslaught in the first inning and a three-run homer to close it out, smiled and said, "Asamura-san sprayed me with perfume in the locker room before the game. He said, 'If you wear this, you'll definitely hit home run.'" He hit a team-high 6 home runs, and Asamura apparently calls him "King."

Manager Miki also said, "Winning or losing today is a night or night of difference," so we can approach the interleague play feeling good. The year before last, he won the championship with a 13-5 record. Last year, they also won three consecutive home games against Central leaders Hanshin Tigers. Even in the pitcher squad, which was short of pieces, veteran Kishi joined the first team from this day. There are plenty of recreations from two years ago.