◆ Pacific League Rakuten Eagles Orix Buffaloes (12th, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

Rakuten Eagles came from behind to defeat Orix Buffaloes. Starting pitcher Kenta Maeda pitched well, allowing only 7 hit 2 runs over 7 innings. He earned his 100th career win in NPB, becoming the 145th player in history to do so. Maeda said with excitement, "I knew I was just one win away, so when I came up to pitch at home like this, I really wanted to get it today. I'm so happy that I was able to do it in front of all of you."

He got off to a good start. He retired the side in order in both the first and second innings, giving up no runs. He shut down hitter by mixing his fastball, which reached a top speed of 151 km/h, with slider.

The deadlock was broken in the fourth inning, with both teams scoreless. Kenta Maeda, who had been pitching well, gave up a two-run homer to Kurebayashi to left field with one out and a runner on first base, conceding the first run. Immediately afterward, the rain intensified, and with two outs and a runner on second base, the game was suspended. After a 33-minute delay, the game resumed. He managed to overcome the pinch without losing his concentration.

The batting lineup responded to the veterans' powerful pitching. In the sixth inning, trailing by two runs, Kurokawa hit a solo home run in a comeback. Then, with no outs and bases loaded, McCuscar hit a bases loaded home run, successfully taking the lead. He rewarded Ken Maeda's powerful pitching. The right-hander said with delight, "I pitched with perseverance, and my teammates scored like this, and McCuscar hit home run to secure the win. Today is truly the best feeling for me."

The relief pitchers held onto the lead and win. The team ended their two-game losing streak.