◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026 Chunichi 1-0 Rakuten Eagles (26th, Vantelin Dome)

Rakuten Eagles suffered shutout game loss to Chunichi, losing their first game of the interleague series.

Soji, who started the game, gave up a solo shot to left field to Hosokawa in the top of the 2nd inning, giving up the first run. runner runs closer He then gave up a run in the top of the 2nd inning on a solo shot to left field by Hosokawa, giving up the first run of the inning. He got out of the game in the 7th inning with 6 hit 1 runs innings. He fulfilled his role as a starter. Manager Hajime Miki said of Shoji, "He hit Hosokawa-kun home run, but even though he created a pinch, he didn't give up the next run. I think it was good pitching.

The offense was silenced by Chunichi 's starting pitcher, Marler. They were held scoreless with just two hit through six innings. In the seventh inning, they had runners on first and second with one out, and in the eighth inning, they had a runner on second with one out, but failed to score on either occasion. They were troubled by Marler. The manager said, "The result was like this (no runs). I think we need to reflect on this, including how we countered him, and think about what we should do going forward."

There were also bunting errors on this day. In the close final innings, they tried to break the deadlock by using small ball tactics, but it was no use and lose. "I think there are many ways to attack, but in hindsight, or rather, if we're talking about the result, then yes. We had bunting errors and mistakes, and Sato made a good play at the end, but Chunichi executed a bunt and Ishikawa made a good play, and while the result is important, I think we need to improve the precision and execution in those areas," he said, looking ahead.