[Rakuten Eagles] Losses two in a row after runs for the second night in a row. Their interleague record is a struggling 2 wins and 8 losses, leaving them 13 games behind Takayuki Kishi takes the loss after giving up 2 runs in 5 innings. | Pacific League

[Rakuten Eagles] Massive night after night runs lost 2 in a row, struggled to a 2-8 record in the series, and was 13 in debt Takayuki Kishi was black in 5 innings 2 runs

Sports Hochi

June 5, 2026 21:12

In the fifth inning, with two outs and runners on first and second base, Takayuki Kishi gave up a two-run doble to Teruaki Sato, leaving him dejected. (Photo by Shuji Asada)

◆Nippon Life Central-Pacific Interleague Series 2026 Hanshin Tigers 8–1 Rakuten Eagles (May 5, Koshien)

Rakuten Eagles lost to Hanshin Tigers, suffering their second consecutive defeat.

The early part was pitcher battle. Kishi, starting in his second appearance of the season, got off to a strong start, closer the first inning with no runs. In the second inning, he faced a no-out, runner-on-second crisis but remained unfazed. He calmly struck down the defenders and runs nothing. In the fourth inning, with neither team scoring, they gave up 3 Walk and created a two-out bases loaded crisis. Even so, he managed to get Kumagai struck out swinging and missing.

The offense, eager to support their veteran right-hander, was silenced by Hanshin Tigers 's starting pitcher Takahashi. They were held scoreless through four innings, managing only two scattered hit.

The game moved in the fifth inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Teru Sato faced the challenge. count Caught a change-up thrown from 3-1 and gave up a two-point doble to right-center. They pitched tenaciously but conceded the opening goal. The balance was broken. In the sixth inning, he was replaced by a pinch hitter in the leadoff at-bat. With 3 hit 2 runs in 5 innings, they missed out on their first win of the season.

He fought back in the 7th inning with a 4-run deficit. Hanshin Tigers started Takahashi and created a perfect opportunity for a no-outs bases loaded. Kurokawa hit a timely single to center field, bringing one run back. However, I couldn't push any further. From No-Die bases loaded, McCuscar and Hikaru Ito struck out consecutively. Pinch hitter Yoshi Watanabe grounded out to second.

After Kishi was taken out, the relief couldn't hold up. After Sho Watanabe gave up two runs in the sixth inning, Tatsuki Ito in his professional debut went 4 runs in the seventh. Just like the previous day, the 4th, when they couldn't hold a 7-run lead, the relief staff runs heavily in the field. Interleague play was a tough battle, with a 2-8 record. The debt has grown to 13.