On July 26, in the 17th round between Saitama Seibu Lions and Fukuoka Softbank held in Belluna Dome, Fukuoka Softbank win 3-0.

Starter Yugo Maeda pitcher showed a steady pitch from the start. Despite allowing Nevin three times on base, he retired the next batters with fly outs, finishing the sixth inning with 3 hit, 3 walks, Hit by Pitch 5 strike out no runs. Meanwhile, the lineup got a good opportunity in the top of the 5th with a series of hits, and Tomoya Masaki hit a sacrifice fly and Ukyo Shuto hit a timely triple to take the lead.

From the 7th inning, they switched to pitching together. Osuna pitcher and Yuki Matsumoto pitcher connected, and Kazuki Sugiyama pitcher closed out the bottom of the 9th. Fukuoka Softbank secured the winning series in the shutout game relay, and Yu Maeda pitcher achieved an undefeated 8-game winning streak. Before the All-Star break, they finished with 58 wins, 34 losses, and 1 tie, trailing second-place Saitama Seibu Lions by 5.5 games.

For the defeated Saitama Seibu Lions, starting pitcher Mitsunari Takahashi pitcher pitched 4 hit 4 Walk 3 runs the 8th inning, but the lineup couldn't provide support. Nevin's strong 2 hit 1 Walk performance was not enough to keep up.

123456789 total
So 000030000 3
West 000000000 0

So ○ Yugo Maeda- Osuna -Yuki Matsumoto- S Kazuki Sugiyama
West: Kosei Takahashi -Haruto Yamada

Written by Kai Nagi Niwa