Pacific League: Lotte 6, Softbank Hawks 5 (26th, ZOZO Marine) - 10th inning extra inning walk-off

Lotte overcame a maximum five-run deficit to win in a come-from-behind walk-off. The game was decided in the 10th extra inning, tied at 5-5, by outfielder Koki Yamaguchi's 24th solo home run. Trailing 3-5...

In the 8th inning, pitcher Naoya Masuda achieved his 800th appearance, becoming the 9th player in history to do so.

In the 8th inning with the score at 3-5. Masuda advanced to mound. Despite facing a bases loaded crisis with one out, he held on from there. He missed Hirose, struck out and closer pinch hitter Kawase to fly out to left, escaping the runs without a single pitch. When he received the commemorative board, Softbank Hawks players also applauded him.

The right-hander, who added a touch of brilliance to his own record, looked ahead to his 801st appearance, saying, "I want to pitch more and more from here on out. I don't want to be satisfied with this; I want to keep going."

It has been 5,262 days since his debut against the Rakuten Eagles on March 30, 2012. He is where he is today because of his tireless efforts. Recognized both inside and outside the team as a "practice nut," the origin of this tough right-hander lies in the example set by Chunichi's Wakui. In 2014, during his third professional year, Wakui joined from the Seibu Lions as a free agent. He was shocked to witness the sheer volume of practice by his senior, who was famous for his relentless running.

What Masuda learned from Wakui—who has suffered few major injuries and continues to pitch vigorously even at age 40—was how to spend the off-season and training methods centered on "building an injury-free body starting in the off-season to prepare for the season." It is precisely because of the "foundation" built up through training with Wakui since his younger days that Masuda has been able to sustain his career to this point.

Regarding the milestone record, while saying "I don't think anything of it," he bowed his head and said, "I want to thank Wakui-san, who helped build the foundation together with me." Coincidentally, his senior recorded his fourth win in the game against the Hanshin Tigers that day. It became the best day for both of them. (Tsuyoshi Nagai)