◆ Pacific League Rakuten Eagles Rakuten vs. Orix Buffaloes (12th, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)
Rakuten Eagles offense exploded in the sixth inning.
In the sixth inning, trailing by two runs, leadoff hitter Kurokawa hit a solo home run off Espinoza to right field to get the rally started. Then, with no outs and bases loaded, McCusker launched his 17th home run of the season bases loaded to take the lead.
Starting pitcher Kenta Maeda allowed only two runs through six innings on the rainy mound, providing support for the right-hander who is on the verge of his 100th career win in NPB.
![[Video] So cute! Nogizaka baseball Club's ceremonial pitch](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/29/20260329-OHT1I51303-L.jpg)
![[Scoreboard] Rakuten Eagles vs. Orix Buffaloes](https://hochi.news/assets/v2/img/hochi_news_sns.png)
![[Rakuten Eagles] Kenta Maeda gives up a two-run homer to give the opposing team the lead, and the game is immediately suspended due to rain. He is one win away from his 100th career win in NPB.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/08/12/20260812-OHT1I51369-L.jpg)
![[Rakuten Eagles] Kenta Maeda to start for his 100th career win in NPB; in-form YG Yasuda to place Rui Muneyama, who has returned to starting line-up in the 3rd spot.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/08/12/20260812-OHT1I51362-L.jpg)
![[Rakuten Eagles] Relief pitchers collapse, resulting in a crushing defeat. Manager Yoshii Masato: "(Shibata) has been struggling with money pitching..." 7 runs allowed in the last two inning, worst deficit of the season at 23.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/08/11/20260811-OHT1I51456-L.jpg)
