The Nippon Seimei Central-Pa Exchange Game 2026 Hanshin Tigers 1-0 Rakuten Eagles (6th, Koshien)

Rakuten Eagles 's sixth-round draft pick, pitcher Ryu Kutani (26) from Oji, pitched well, allowing no hit and no runs in one inning.

He took the mound as the third pitcher in the 8th inning with his team trailing by one run. Mixing slider and change-up in the high 140 km/h range, he retired the side in order. The rookie, who showed stable pitch in his first appearance at Koshien, nodded and said, "I was nervous so I don't remember much. But I was able to throw with all my might, so I guess that was good."

Since being recalled to the first team on May 8th, he runs 11 consecutive inning in 9 appearances. "I feel I've prepared well enough to be satisfied with myself, so I want to continue this." In the midst of the team's difficult situation at the bottom of the standings, the ready-to-play right-handed pitcher is making his presence felt.