◆ Pacific League: Lotte 3x-2 Rakuten Eagles (8th, ZOZO Marine)

Rakuten Eagles suffered a walk-off loss to Lotte, marking their fourth consecutive defeat.

Starting pitcher Kenta Maeda gave up a solo home run to the leadoff hitter Inoue in the third inning with the game scoreless, surrendering the opening run.

After that, he recorded outs at a good tempo, but in the 5th inning with the score tied, he gave up a triple to Tsuyoshi Yamazaki with two outs, followed by a go-ahead RBI hit to center by Fujiwara. He then faced a bases loaded crisis with two outs, but managed to get Sato to swing and struck out. He left the mound after 6 innings, allowing 8 hits and 2 runs. He missed out on his 5th win of the season and his 170th career win between Japan and the US.

The lineup struggled against Lotte's starter, Haruto Tanaka, and was held to just one run through seven innings. Although they caught up in the ninth inning while trailing by one, they allowed the opponent to take the lead again and went on to lose. Their deficit has now reached a season-worst 28 games below .500.