◆ Pacific League: Rakuten Eagles 1-3 Seibu Lions (11 extra inning) (23rd, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

Seibu Lions infielder Keisuke Nakata, making his first start since April, had a stellar performance in the game against Rakuten on the Rakuten Eagles (at Rakuten Mobile Rakuten Eagles Park Miyagi), going 2-At Bat hit 5 at the plate.

He made his first start since the April 14th game against Orix Buffaloes (Kyocera Dome) as the number 9 batter and second baseman. He grounded out in his first three at-bats, but in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out and the score tied 1-1, he hit a doble to left field to get on base. In the bottom of the eleventh extra inning with one out and the score still tied, he hit a single to right hit, advancing to second base with two outs, before scoring the winning run on a two-run homer, the eighth of the season, by catcher Taiga Kojima batting second.

During pre-game practice, infielder Taiyo Sato, who was scheduled to start, was injured, giving him a golden opportunity to make a great impression. Wiping away sweat, he said, "It was a chance that came my way, so I absolutely wanted to make the most of it. I went into it with the feeling that baseball career was on the line, and I gave it my all. I'm glad I was able to get a hit that led to the win."