◇Tohoku Rakuten Eagles vs. Orix Buffaloes, Game 16 (November 11, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

Tohoku Rakuten Eagles 's pitcher Kosei Shoji delivered a strong performance, throwing 101 pitches over 7 innings, allowing 6 hit 2 Walk strike out 2 runs. He set a new career high innings pitched.

In this game, Shoji faced off against pitcher Alen Kuri for the second consecutive week. pitcher got off to a great start, striking out five strike out by the third inning. In the top of the fourth inning, he escaped a jam with runners on first and third with one out without giving up any runs, and in the bottom of the inning, he took the lead with a solo home run by Daisuke Nakashima, his third of the season.

In the top of the 5th inning, immediately after giving up the first run, he gave up a go-ahead two-run homer to Tomoya Noguchi, but from the 6th inning onward he pitch a no hit. He achieved a Quality Start and fulfilled his role, but unfortunately, he was lose pitcher due to a lack of run support from the offense. Nevertheless, he reached 111 innings innings pitched, surpassing his career high set in his rookie year. This season has been a breakout one for him, as he has recorded 115 strike out, the third highest in the league.

Written by Ao Yokoyama