◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 3-5 Rakuten Eagles (October 10th, Mizuho PayPay Stadium)

Softbank Hawks lost a close game, marking their first consecutive losses since the league resumed.

Starting pitcher Otsu gave up a game-tying solo home run to McCuscar in the second inning to take the lead, 1-0. In the fourth inning, he gave up a home run to McCuscar for the second consecutive at-bat, and with one out in the sixth, Tatsumi hit a solo homer, giving up his worst three home runs in a single game. Still, Otsu held on with only 3 runs, and with two outs and bases loaded in the fourth, Shuto hit a two-run single to left field, bringing the score to 3-3 into the innings.

Otsu was pulled after seven innings, having given up three runs, and Matsumoto Yu took the mound in the eighth inning. However, with one out and a runner on first, he gave up McCusker his third home run of the day, a two-run shot, giving the opposing team the lead. This was their first consecutive loss since June 14 against Yakult Swallows (Mizuho PayPay Dome) and June 19 against Nippon-Ham Fighters (Escon Stadium).