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

Manager Yoshii called it "perfect." It was just one step away. Rakuten Eagles 's Kenta Maeda couldn't hide his disappointment. In the bottom of the ninth inning, with a four-run lead and one out, runners on first and third, he was on the verge of his first shutout game win in 12 years. However, Nomura hit a weak ground ball to the pitcher, allowing the runner on third to score, resulting in a run being scored runs. As the right-hander wore a look of disappointment, manager Yoshii decided to make a substitution. He missed out on shutout game. Nevertheless, he pitched a brilliant 8 2/3 innings, allowing only 5 hit 1 runs, earning his second win of the season. On the podium, he cried out, "It's so frustrating! Damn it! I'm sorry I couldn't do shutout game!" Although he didn't achieve the feat, his masterful pitch remains undiminished. He brilliantly marked his 99th career win in NPB.

He proved his full comeback. He returned to NPB after 11 years, but from the start of the season, he struggled to win any games. "I started to doubt whether I could win." He began to lose confidence in his pitches and continued to pitch the ball first. He also experienced being demoted to the second team. "I realized again that pitching with good control is my style." After being recalled, he regained the ability to boldly throw into the strike zone. That day, he drove in with a fastball that could reach 150 km/h and also used a curveball. In the 4th inning with no outs and a runner on first and 8th inning, he dug into the inside corner and got double play hits.

There's a routine that instantly sharpens his fighting spirit: the entrance music he plays in the first inning. It's "Hikoutei" by King Gnu. After traveling from Japan to America and trying out numerous songs, he finally settled on this one. "It really gets me in mound for the decisive battle.

With a spirited pitch, the team secured their second consecutive win. Manager Yoshii praised him as "perfect," explaining his decision to replace him in the middle of the ninth inning by saying, "I didn't want him to throw any extra pitches." He is now one win away from the milestone of 100 career wins in NPB. "I think there are still many more to come, so I want to do my best." The reliable right-hander has regained his brilliance. (Kota Miyauchi)