◆ Pacific League Orix Buffaloes 9-6 Rakuten Eagles (3rd, Tokyo Dome)

Rakuten Eagles Eagles manager Masato Yoshii commented on McCusker's ejection. The manager, who had also asked the umpire for an explanation, said, "The players are doing their best, and umpire trust them, so I think there will be some actions like that, but I also told umpire that 'there are times when they need to be patient,' and (umpire Akimura) said, 'I was patient for a while, but I told the bench to do it, so I ejected him,' so I think it can't be helped."

The stadium erupted in chaos in the first inning, after scoring the first run and with no outs and runners on first and second base. McCusker stopped his swing, but the first base umpire called it a swing. McCusker made a gesture that seemed to object to the call and was ejected for insulting the referee. Manager Yoshii rushed out of the dugout to demand confirmation.