◆ Pacific League: Lotte 7-4 Rakuten Eagles (21st, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

The Rakuten Eagles started with his former club, where he managed until last season, but started with two straight losses. It was as if they had been counterattacked. Starting pitcher Fujii had 3 hit and 2 Walk in the first inning, making it 3 runs. "He was just too sloppy. It would have ruined the team's mood, so I felt sorry for him, but I boldly made the change," he said, giving up on the left-hander and making a ruthless move, sending the ball inside from the second inning. The relief strategy with a total of six pitcher was also fizzled runs three times, including Kajiya giving up a game-winning two-run homer to Yamaguchi in the eighth inning.

There was also some bad luck. In the first inning, with two outs and a runner on second base, McCusker hit a fly ball to center field that appeared to have gone over wall and bounced back onto ground. However, the manager didn't request a review, saying, "It probably hit the very top of wall." The call was recorded as triple, and only one run was scored. It was a crucial moment that could have influenced the flow of the game early on, but the foreign slugger's hit became a "phantom home run." Manager Yoshii said, "In doubtful situations like that, we should definitely check with umpire." Words of regret came from his lips.

This is their sixth five-game losing streak of the season, and their deficit has ballooned to a season-worst 19 games. The game Seibu Lions (at Tokyo Dome) is the annual "Rakuten Eagles Super Nighter," and owner Mikitani is scheduled to attend. They will be hoping to finally secure their first win since taking over in this "game in the presence of the Chairman." (Takeshi Nagai)