From 14:00 on September 12, the 22nd game between Fukuoka Softbank and Chiba Lotte Marines will be held at MIZUHO PayPay Dome.

【Match Record】Fukuoka Softbank (1st) vs Chiba Lotte Marines (4th) 14 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw

【Probable Starters】
Fukuoka Softbank: Pitcher Rutledge 3 games, 1 win, 1 loss, ERA 3.38 (Farm record)
Chiba Lotte Marines: Pitcher Kazuya Ojima 17 games, 5 wins, 8 losses, ERA 3.64

Fukuoka Softbank will start pitcher Rutledge. He pitched in 63 games in the Major Leagues last season and joined the team this July. In the farm league, he has pitched in 3 games, recording an ERA of 3.38. Most recently, he pitched against Hayate Shizuoka on the 5th, allowing 6 runs on 6 hits, 5 Walks/Hit by Pitches, and 5 strike outs over 7 innings with 108 pitches. In this game, he hopes to show his ability to adjust and mark his first appearance and first start in Japan with a win.

Starting for the opposing Chiba Lotte Marines is pitcher Kazuya Ojima. In his previous outing (the 5th against the Orix Buffaloes), he allowed 4 runs (2 earned runs) on 8 hits, 2 Walks, and 7 strike outs over 5.1 innings with 100 pitches. He last faced Fukuoka Softbank on July 5, where he was pulled early after allowing 3 runs on 2 hits in 3 innings. He aims to lead his team to a win with a strong performance to redeem himself.

Text by Aoi Nemoto