◆ Pacific League vs. Softbank Hawks (26th, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Lotte pitcher Sam Long got shelled from the very first inning. After getting into a jam with no outs and runners on first and second by giving up consecutive Walks to the leadoff hitter Masaki and the following batter Shuto, he surrendered the opening run on an RBI single to center by Kondo after just 13 pitches.

Furthermore, five runs were given up all at once following RBI dobles by Kurihara and Yanagita, an RBI single to left by Makihara, and a sacrifice fly to right by Hirose. A heavy atmosphere hung in the air.

The team suffered a crushing 0-9 defeat in the series opener on the 25th, and today's game also got off to a difficult start from the early stages.