Kosei Shoji Throws Complete-Game Shutout as Rakuten Blank Lotte

Kosei Shoji delivered one of his strongest starts of the 2026 NPB season on Wednesday, throwing a complete-game shutout as the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles beat the Chiba Lotte Marines 4-0 at ZOZO Marine Stadium.

The right-hander worked all nine innings, allowing six hits without issuing a walk while striking out seven. Shoji faced 32 batters and kept Lotte scoreless from start to finish, improving to 8-9 on the season.

Shoji Controls Lotte From the Mound

Lotte entered the matchup having dominated the season series, but Shoji never allowed the Marines to turn their six hits into sustained pressure. He did not hit a batter or issue a walk, forcing Lotte to create every baserunner with contact.

Third baseman Atsuki Terachi accounted for half of Lotte’s hits with a 3-for-3 night, while outfielder Katsuya Nishikawa collected two. Neither was enough to break through against Shoji.

The shutout was a sharp reversal from Shoji’s previous difficulties against Lotte. He entered the game with a 4.01 ERA through 22 starts and had allowed 20 home runs, but on Wednesday he kept the Marines in the ballpark and finished the game himself.

Rakuten Strikes Early and Lets Shoji Take Over

Rakuten gave Shoji all the support he needed with four runs in the first inning. Rui Muneyama and Daichi Yasuda each finished with two hits, while Luke McCusker, Yasuda, Itsuki Murabayashi and Daiki Shigenaga each drove in a run.

Lotte starter Kaito Mouri settled down after the opening inning but the damage was already done. The left-hander allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks across six innings before the Marines bullpen delivered three scoreless frames.

Shoji made the early lead stand for the remaining eight innings. The 4-0 victory gave Rakuten a notable road win in a season series that had heavily favored Lotte and produced a complete-game performance at a point in the NPB calendar when bullpen preservation carries additional value.

Rakuten and Lotte Continue Pacific League Series

The teams return to ZOZO Marine Stadium on Thursday, September 17, as the late-season Pacific League schedule continues. For Rakuten, Shoji’s nine-inning performance provides both a result and a fully rested bullpen heading into the next game.