◆ Pacific League Lotte 5-3 Seibu Lions (April 4th, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Lotte's Naoya Masuda pitcher (36) recorded his second save of the season and his 250th career save in the game against the Seibu Lions (ZOZO) on the 4th. This marks the fifth time in professional baseball history that a player has achieved this feat, securing his induction into the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame.

Manager Saburo revealed after the game that he had decided to use Masuda if there was a save opportunity. "I told Yokoyama that if he had to pitch in a save situation at any point this week, he should be patient for now. I wanted him to get his 250th save when he was in good form, and at Marine Stadium. I had a strange preference for it, and that's why it happened today. I'm glad it happened on the first day," he said with relief.

The manager, who has known Masuda since his younger days, said, "I was a little moved too. It's very touching. I used to make him cry (with harsh words) in the past. I was very strict with him, but I'm really happy that he achieved a record that is hard to achieve." He rejoiced as if it were his own achievement.