◇Saitama Seibu Lions vs. Fukuoka Softbank Game 18 (July 7th, Belluna Dome)

Fukuoka Softbank 's pitcher Haru Matsumoto delivered a strong performance, throwing 103 pitches over 7 innings, allowing only 3 hit 2 Walk strike out 1 runs.

In the bottom of the first inning, he walked a batter with two outs but managed to escape without giving runs Walk. In the bottom of the second inning, he allowed hit to the leadoff hitter but then shut down the subsequent batters. In the bottom of the fourth inning, immediately after the offense scored the first run, he retired the side in order for the first time in the game. In the bottom of the fifth inning, he gave up a solo home run to Sena Tsuge, the leadoff batter, to tie the game, but he retired the side in order again in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings closer handing mound over to the reliever pitchers.

In the top of the 7th inning, the offense took the lead with a timely hit by Tatsuru Yanagimachi, giving pitcher Haru Matsumoto Matsumoto his fifth consecutive win. He has now surpassed his 6 wins from last season and reached a career-high 7 wins.

Written by Riyoko Niwa