◆ Pacific League Nippon-Ham 3X-2 Rakuten Eagles (July 7, ES CON FIELD)

Rakuten Eagles failed to hold on in the final innings, suffering a walk walk-off off loss in the first game of the series. Their record is now 37 wins, 59 losses, and 1 tie, and their deficit has ballooned to 22 games, tying their highest of the season.

In the sixth inning, Kurokawa hit his second home run of the season off Nippon-Ham starting pitcher Tatsumi to right field, giving his team the lead. In the seventh inning, Nakajima hit sacrifice fly to left field, scoring their second run.

Starting pitcher Ureña threw 5 hit runs in the 5th inning. Despite struggling with control at 3 Hit by Pitch, he held on without runs. From the 6th inning, he connected with Kajiya and Yasushi, and in the 8th, Kutani pitched but caused trouble with Hit by Pitch and hit. With two outs and bases loaded, pinch hitter Reyes gave up a 2-run doble to left field, tying the game.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, the fifth pitcher, Nakagomi, walked Arizono and Manami consecutively with one out, putting runners on first and second Hit by Pitch. He then allowed a single to right hit to Yazawa. runner on second base had stopped after rounding third base, but right fielder Muto's throw home plate was high and errant, allowing walk-off to score the winning run.