◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026 Rakuten Eagles 8-2 The Giants (11th, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

Acting manager Tatsuya Shiokawa (43) exchanged high-fives with his players who had played with great spirit. A smile naturally spread across his face. After the announcement on the 10th that Manager Miki would be taking a leave of absence, he took over from head coach and secured his first win in his second game as acting manager. "This is the result of the players putting their hearts into their play." Every player in the starting lineup hit and scored eight runs. They ended their losing streak at five games.

He attacked starting pitcher Masaru Tanaka with a leg-binding attack. In the first inning, Taira reached base with a hit to right, successfully stealing second. Kurokawa grounded out to second with one out and a runner on third, and Tatsumi's timely infield hit on a pitcher attack put them in first. Tatsumi also stole second, expanding the opportunity, and Yoshi Watanabe, who had used the starting line-up for the first time in three matches, made a timely doble over the right cross. They shook up the first 2 stolen base. "Watching the Giants' baseball in Game 1, I reaffirmed again and again that my legs were a threat." base running With the offense characteristic of Acting Shiokawa, who has experience as a coach, he scored 5 runs in the second inning.

He once played alongside Masahiro Tanaka as a player and also served as his coach. "I viewed him as pitcher with 200 wins." He took an aggressive approach. "Being known and knowing what others thought made it difficult, so I knew I couldn't just stand there." He used his offensive tactics to overcome his former teammate.

The origin of Shiokawa's baseball, which emphasizes attention to detail, lies with the legendary manager Katsuya Nomura. During his playing days, he played under Nomura's management. "I jokingly tell the players that if you widen your lead by just 5 centimeters, a play that was challenged as an out will become a safe call." This attention to detail, down to 5 centimeters, is typical of a man who was mentored by Nomura. "I feel the weight of baseball, where the underdog can defeat the strong." His approach is based on Nomura's philosophy of baseball.

The commemorative ball was handed to him by Nakajima, and he carefully placed it in his pocket. "We just have to keep moving forward, reflecting on what we need to improve." Although they are currently in last place, there are still 83 games left. Under the interim manager who is demanding a "fighting spirit," the team is in full swing and has made a fresh start. (Kota Miyauchi)

Record Notes: All six games played on the 11th win by Pacific League teams. This is the first time this season that the Pacific has won all six games. It is the eighth time this has happened since June 15, 2013. Also, with the Pacific winning six games on this day, the Pacific now has 53 wins in interleague play this season, while the Central League has 30 wins (4 draws), and the Pacific has secured a winning record with 21 games remaining. This is the 19th time in four consecutive years that the Pacific has had a winning record since 2011.