◇Tohoku Rakuten Eagles vs. The Giants "Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026" Game 3 (11th, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

Tohoku Rakuten Eagles faced former pitcher Masahiro Tanaka of the Yomiuri The Giants for the first time. They attacked the right-hander's early innings and scored four runs in the first inning.

Leading Ryuya Taira The player hit a single on the first hit and then successfully stolen base second base. He then extended the opportunity to runner on third with one out. Ryosuke Tatsumi During infield hit by another player, Taira scored the first run.

Without letting up on their attack, Tatsumi also stole a base, putting stolen base on first and second with one out. Yoshiaki Watanabe The player hit a timely doble to right field. Naoki Sato The third run was scored on infield ball hit by the player. Itsuki Murabayashi The player followed with a timely infield hit.

They created scoring opportunities by incorporating stolen base, and scored four runs in an attack involving eight hitter. It was a promising early offensive surge that could end their losing streak.

◇Comment from Tatsumi
"I hit slider. I'm glad we were able to score the first run. I'll do my best in the next game so we can win."

◇Comment from Kei Watanabe
"That was a cut shot. Let's win. Let's win!"

◇Comment from Murabayashi
"I hit a cut shot. I'll do my best to win."

Text by Ayako Kikuchi