Pacific League: Orix Buffaloes 4-12 Rakuten Eagles (27th, Kyocera Dome)

The Rakuten Eagles won a crushing victory over the Orix Buffaloes.

Starting pitcher Kenta Maeda racked up outs with a good rhythm from the beginning. He baffled hitters by mixing sliders and splitters with fastballs in the high 140 km/h range, putting up a string of zeros on the scoreboard.

The lineup, looking to provide run support for the right-hander, unleashed a 10-run onslaught by the third inning. In the sixth, McCusker also launched his 20th solo home run.

He had a no-hit pitch through five innings, but the veteran gave up his first hit to Mugitani with a hit to center field in the sixth inning with no outs and a runner on first. After that, with one out and runners on second and third, a run was scored during Nishikawa's ground ball to shortstop. Furthermore, with two outs and a runner on third, he gave up a timely hit to right field to Kita. It was a strong pitch of six innings, three hits, and two runs. The relief squad held the lead, and he earned his fourth win of the season.