◆ Pacific League: Orix Buffaloes vs. Rakuten Eagles (June 6th, Kyocera Dome)
Rakuten Eagles took the lead. In the first inning, with two outs and a runner on first base, McCusker hit a two-run homer off Tajima to left field, giving Rakuten the lead. This was the reliable foreign player's 15th home run of the season, and it shifted the momentum of the game in their favor. "Maybe it was thanks to the trainer's good luck charm. I'm glad we were able to score first," he commented.
Kishi was the starting pitcher. The cleanup hitter provided a crucial run for the veteran to earn his third win of the season.
The team is currently struggling with a six-game losing streak, but they got off to a good start in their bid for their first win of the second half of the season.
![[Photo] Jockey Mikoma Kobayashi throws the first pitch at the ceremony and bounce pitch](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/11/20260611-OHT1I51427-C.jpg)
![[Scoreboard] Orix Buffaloes vs. Rakuten Eagles](https://hochi.news/assets/v2/img/hochi_news_sns.png)
![[Rakuten Eagles] Fumiya Kurokawa returns to starting line-up to stop a 7-game losing streak and secure their first win of the second half of the season Hideto Asamura starts on the bench Takayuki Kishi starts on the mound.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/08/06/20260806-OHT1I51339-L.jpg)
![[Rakuten Eagles] To prevent a sixth consecutive loss, McCusker, who was ejected in the previous game, will bat fourth as designated hitter. Naoki Sato and Ryuya Taira will return to starting line-up.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/08/05/20260805-OHT1I51427-L.jpg)
![[Hanshin Tigers] New import Garcia hits his first hit in his 13th at-bat, a grand slam, after struck out three times in a row before launching a massive home run into the left field stands.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/08/05/20260805-OHT1I51555-C.jpg)
