[Rakuten Eagles] Kenta Maeda earns his second win: "So frustrating!" He missed out on the first shutout shutout game delivered a masterful pitch, allowing only one runs in his longest outing of the season, 8 2/3 innings | Pacific League

[Rakuten Eagles] Kenta Maeda earns his second win: "So frustrating!" He missed out on the first shutout shutout game delivered a masterful pitch allowing only one runs in his longest outing of the season, 8 2/3 innings.

Sports Hochi

July 4, 2026 21:13

In the bottom of the ninth inning with one out and runners on first and third, Kenta Maeda managed to get Yuki Nomura to hit a ground ball to the pitcher, but a run was scored, runs. (Photo by Wataru Koshikawa)

◆ Pacific League Rakuten Eagles Nippon-Ham (April 4th, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

Rakuten Eagles ・ Kenta Maeda pitcher (38) started against Nippon-Ham and earned his second win with a strong outing, pitching 5 hit 1 runs through the top of the 9th inning.The team also extended its winning streak to two games. Taking the podium, Ken Maeda expressed his frustration at missing out on his first shutout game win in 12 years in the NPB, saying, “I’m so frustrated! Damn it. I’m sorry,” before smiling and adding, “I’m just glad the team won.”

He got off to a strong start in the first inning. He induced a groundout to the pitcher from the hot-hitting leadoff batter, Mizuno, and with two outs, he got Reyes to swing and miss struck out. strike He took the initiative early on.

In the fourth inning, immediately after receiving two runs of support, he gave up a single to left field hit—his first hit of the day hit—to leadoff batter Mizuno, but he remained unfazed. He got Mizutani to ground out to second double play and got out of the inning. In the fifth inning, with two outs, he allowed a single to center field hit to Gunji, but got Otsuka to ground out to second. He kept the scoreboard at “0.”

Ken Maeda's strong pitching continued. From the middle innings onward, he effectively mixed in curveballs to manipulate the game. In the eighth inning with a three-run lead, he gave up a hit to right field from leadoff Yoshida, but then two seam fastball got Gunji to the inside corner with a grounder to shortstop double play as intended. He closer with the seasoned pitch technique. In the ninth, with one out and runners on first and third, he runs between a grounder and a pitcher before being taken out. Although he missed the shutout game win, it became a pitch that led the team to win.

Kenta Maeda returned to NPB this season after an 11-year absence. In his previous start on June 25 against Seibu Lions (Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi), he pitched seven hit innings, allowing only three runs, earning his first win of the season. On this day, he delivered another impressive pitch, marking his second win of the season. The veteran shone brightly.