Rakuten Eagles 's Kenta Maeda pitcher was aiming for his first win in NPB in 3911 days, was taken out of the game after 5 innings, having given up 4 hit 2 runs.

In the bottom of the second inning, with no outs and a runner on first base, and the score still 0-0, the pitcher threw his second pitch to Hanshin Tigers 's Oyama. The curveball was hit into the left field stands, giving Hanshin the lead. The pitcher stood stunned on mound and regretted the unfortunate pitch, saying, "I wasted that one pitch to Oyama."

Nevertheless, he mixed his fastest 151 km/h fastball with splitter, slider, and sinker, and managed to get through the rest of the inning without giving up any runs.

In the sixth inning, pinch hitter Komori was sent in and replaced after throwing 75 pitches.