◆ Pacific League Orix Buffaloes 5-2 Rakuten Eagles (28th, Hotto Motto Kobe)

Rakuten Eagles Eagles pitcher Masaru Fujii pitched a strong game, allowing only one runs in five innings, but was demoted to the minor leagues after the game. Manager Masato Yoshii explained, "That's not what he's capable of. I think we'll remove him from the roster and let him play in the minor leagues."

Fujii faced a crisis with two outs and runners on first and second in the first inning, but retired Moritomo with a swinging struck out to overcome the 'Demon Gate' he had runs for five consecutive games.

In the third inning, with one out and runners on first and second, he gave up a timely single to Nakagawa, but he managed to limit the damage to just one runs over five innings. In the bottom of the sixth inning, his teammates managed to take the lead, and he left the game with the opportunity to earn his second win. "I was able to go up against hitter with all my heart and soul. Although I gave runs, I'm glad I was able to get through it with only the minimum amount of runs," he reflected.

He was removed from the active roster on the 29th and will now wait in the minor leagues for another chance.