We had a no-hitter, the Pacific League-leading Rakuten Eagles bet on a rookie to extend their winning streak to 12 consecutive decisions, and Nippon Ham’s players apparently took their skipper’s warning to heart, while Chunichi’s Ariel Martinez continued his love affair with Jingu Stadium, and Hanshin looked to end its seven-game winless skid against Hiroshima this season.

Shall we get started?

Hawks 2, Lions 0: At Fukuoka Dome, Nao Higashihama (4-1) threw the season’s second no-hitter, holding Seibu to a pair of walks but facing the minimum as he struck out six, got two double plays and threw 97 pitches.