◆ Despite an accident... Takagi commented on his strong pitching performance of 7 innings and 2 runs: "It feels like he's back."

Rakuten Eagles 's Kenta Maeda started on the mound against Orix Buffaloes on the 15th. He suffered an accident in the 5th inning when a batted ball hit him in the neck, but he still pitched well, throwing 102 pitches over 7 innings, allowing 4 hit, strike out 3, Walk 1, and giving up 2 runs.

Although his 100th NPB win was put on hold, Maeda, who recorded three consecutive high-quality starts (HQS = 7 innings or more, earned runs 2 or less), was praised by Fuji TV ONE's 'Pro baseball News 2026' MC Yutaka Takagi, saying, 'The ball hit his neck directly, but he did his best with 2 runs in 7 innings.' Commentator Hatsuhiko Tsuji praised him, saying, 'Watching recent games, his pitching style is really good. He has a lot of spirit.' Takagi nodded, saying, 'It feels like he's come back to something.'

Another commentator, Kenichi Tanizawa, said, "He has good control of the ball, even low in the strike zone. But that line drive to pitcher was really dangerous. It hit his glove and then his neck..."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"