◆ Pacific League League: Rakuten Eagles (22nd, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Lotte took control of the game with a series of home runs.

In the first inning, Rakuten Eagles hit a two-run doble Rakuten's starting left-handed pitcher Hayakawa to give his team the lead. In the second inning, Fujiwara added another run with an RBI single, and with two outs and runners on first and second, Soto hit his 11th home run of the season, a three-run shot to left field. In the third inning, Sato hit his 11th home run of the season, a solo shot to right field, extending the lead to 7-0.

Soto recalled, "It was a similar situation to the first inning (no outs, runners on first and second), so I went to the plate thinking I'd be a little more aggressive." Sato wiped the sweat from his brow and said, "I was timing my swing well from the first pitch. I'm glad I was able to swing properly."