◆ Pacific League: Lotte 3-4 Rakuten Eagles (23rd, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Rakuten Eagles Ryu Kutani, the sixth-round draft pick ( = Oji =), recorded his first professional . pitcher win

He took the mound in the seventh inning with the score tied. Mixing his fastest fastball at 154 km/h with change-up, he delivered a good relief performance, pitching one runs strike out. Immediately afterward, his teammates took the lead, giving him his first win. "I'm so happy. I pitched with the feeling that I just wanted to pass the baton to the next pitcher," he said, wiping away the sweat with satisfaction.

It was win earned by someone who had worked hard. After graduating from Katata High School, a prefectural high school in Shiga Prefecture, and then Osaka Otani University, he joined "Yabaton," a restaurant with a baseball team. He practiced in the mornings and worked as a waiter in the afternoons. His talent blossomed, and he began to throw pitches at speeds of 150 km/h. In 2025, he transferred to the Oji corporate baseball team. He played a major role in the Intercity Baseball Tournament and turned professional at the age of 26. The old rookie, who is living a Cinderella story, savored the moment, saying, "I'm glad I didn't give up."

He plans to give the commemorative ball to someone special. "My wife's birthday is in two days, so I want to give it to her as a present," he said excitedly.