◆ Pacific League Rakuten 4-0 Lotte (14th, Rakuten Mobile)
Last-placed Lotte suffered its second five-game losing streak this season. It was the first time in 13 years since 2012 that they have lost 10 games in a row in the same season, and the first time they are behind 10 games in seven years since 2018. It was their ninth shutout loss this season, and their record in May is one win and nine losses in 10 games.
Starting pitcher Taneichi gave up 8 hit 3 runs (2 earned runs) in 4 innings, resulting in his 3rd loss. He gave up 1 run each in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings, and was taken out before the 5th inning.
The batting line struggled against Howard, who they were facing for the first time. In the fifth inning, they had a chance to strike back with two outs and a runner on second base, but Miyazaki hit a fly ball to center field. In the sixth inning, with two outs, consecutive hits from Fujioka and Fujiwara put runners on first and second base, but Soto grounded out to second base. In the end, they were closer to five hit and no runs in the seventh inning, giving up their first win since coming to Japan. On the 15th, they will play their third game at Tokyo Dome, hoping to stop their losing streak.
Related News
・ [Match report] Rakuten vs. Lotte
・ [Rakuten] First multi-hit in 12 games! Hideto Asamura hits doble the left field line in his second at-bat, four hits away from 2,000 hit
・ [Lotte] With their third walk-off loss, they are now nine points behind. Manager Yoshihito Yoshii commented on the left-handed pitcher who gave up three runs in the seventh inning, "If he's always like this, it's really pointless."
・ [Lotte] Neftalí Soto hit his 4th solo home run in the 6th inning to tie the game. "I'm glad I was able to hit in this kind of game situation."
・ [Rakuten] After overcoming right elbow surgery, Naoto Nishiguchi wins for the first time in 1,003 days! "I'm so happy"
