On July 18, in the 12th round between Chiba Lotte Marines and Fukuoka Softbank held in Zozo Marine Stadium, Fukuoka Softbank won a close 5-4 match.

Fukuoka Softbank Starting pitcher Ryosuke Otsu pitcher took the lead in the first inning with a timely hit by Naonori Yasuda. In the bottom of the fifth, with hit and Walk, he caused a two-out bases loaded crisis, allowing another RBI hit to Yasuda to runs the two. He retired from the mound with 98 pitches in the fifth inning, 7 hit 3 Walk 4 strike out 3 runs.

Meanwhile, the lineup was down by one run in the top of the third. Kensuke Kondo hit a timely hit tied the game, and with no outs, runner scored from third base bases loaded to double play. Taisei Makihara then added a timely hit, scoring three runs in this inning. In the top of the fourth, Ryoya Kurihara hit a two-run doble, widening the lead to 5-1.

From the sixth inning onward, Yuki Tsumori pitcher, Osuna pitcher, and Yuki Matsumoto pitcher connected with 1 inning runs. In the end, Kazuki Sugiyama pitcher gave up one run, but held off walk-off 's crisis to finish the game 4-5. Otsu pitcher secured their ninth win, ranking second in the league. In the lineup, Kondo recorded 2 hit, including a game-tying hit, and Dai Makihara recorded 2 hit 1 RBI.

The losing Chiba Lotte Marines saw starting pitcher Koshiro Hiroike pitcher struggle, posting 7 hit 5 walks Hit by Pitch 5 runs in 4 innings. The relief pitched well, and in the lineup, Yasuda hit 3 RBI and Misho Nishikawa pitched 2 hit. In the bottom of the ninth, Koki Yamaguchi hit a timely hit to close the gap to one run, but they fell just short of it.

123456789 total
So 003200000 5
Ro 100020001 4

So ○ Ryosuke Otsu-Yuki Tsumori- Osuna -Yuki Matsumoto- S Kazuki Sugiyama
Ro ● Koshiro Hiroike-Koshiro Sakamoto-Fumiya Ono-Naoya Masuda

Text by Mao Tsutsui