On July 20th, the 14th game between Chiba Lotte Marines and Fukuoka Softbank, held at Zozo Marine Stadium, ended with Fukuoka Softbank win 5-4, securing their third consecutive victory against the same opponent.

Fukuoka Softbank 's starting pitcher, Tomohisa Ozeki, gave up the first run in the first inning on a solo home run by Kyota Fujiwara, his fifth of the season. He also gave up sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second inning, and then another solo home run in the bottom of the third inning, giving up his third runs. In the bottom of the sixth inning, he was pulled from the game after creating a jam with runners on first and second with one out. pitcher, Hernandez, managed to get out of the jam without giving up any runs.

Meanwhile, the batting lineup began its counterattack in Walk top of the 3rd inning with a bases-loaded walk by Kensuke Kondo. In the top of the 4th inning, Takashi Umino hit a two-run doble to tie the game, and in the top of the 5th inning, Ryoya Kurihara hit an RBI single to take the lead.

They tried to hold on for the win, but in the bottom of the 8th inning, pitcher Osuna gave up a solo home run, tying the game once again. However, in the top of the 9th inning, with runners on first and third with one out Hit by Pitch and a hit by pitch, Ukyo Shuto hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly, and in the bottom of the 9th inning, pitcher Yuki Tsumori retired the side in order to close out the game.

For win Fukuoka Softbank, pitcher Ozeki pitched 5.1 innings, throwing 103 pitches, allowing 5 hit, 3 Walk strike out runs. pitcher Tsumori earned his first save of the season. Offensively, Makihara Dai had two hit, and fielder’s choice got his first RBI of July.

On the other hand, Chiba Lotte Marines, who were defeated, saw their starting pitcher Jackson unable to hold onto the lead, giving up 7 hit, 2 Walk 5 runs, and 4 strike out 114 pitches over 5 innings. Offensively, Koki Yamaguchi had 2 hit, including Home Run, and Soto reached double-digit Home Run for the ninth consecutive year since coming to Japan, but it wasn't enough.

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So 001210001 5
Ro 111000010 4

So Tomohisa Ozeki- Hernandez -Gota Suzuki- ○ Osuna - S Yuki Tsumori
Ro Jackson -Akira Yagi-Shota Suzuki-Shunsuke Nakamori- ● Rikuto Yokoyama

Written by Ao Yokoyama