SENDAI (Kyodo) — Masahiro Tanaka made his belated season debut on Saturday, but could not prevent the Rakuten Eagles from falling farther behind in their bid for a Pacific League playoff spot as he took the loss in a 5-2 defeat to the Orix Buffaloes.
Pitching for the first time since having elbow surgery last autumn, Tanaka (0-1) allowed four runs over five innings to squander a 1-0 first-inning lead at Sendai’s Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi.
The third-place Lotte Marines defeated the Seibu Lions 5-1 to take a two-game lead over the fourth-place Eagles in their fight for the PL’s third and final playoff berth.
Tanaka allowed six hits, including a home run, and walked two while striking out one.
Baseball: Eagles fall farther behind after Masahiro Tanaka’s season debut
