Pacific League: Lotte 1-7 Seibu Lions (5th, ZOZO)

Seibu Lions closer and pitcher Hiroshi Kaino closed out the ninth inning against the Lotte Marines at ZOZO Marine Stadium on the 5th, making his first appearance on the hero interview stage this season. In front of the fans, he vowed to break through the first stage of the Climax Series, stating, 'I believe that if we do what we need to do, we will definitely win. I want to defeat The Fighters and go to Fukuoka with everyone.'

He took the mound as the fifth pitcher in the ninth inning with a six-run lead. Although the leadoff batter Ogawa reached base due to catcher Kojima's interference despite being induced into a ground ball to shortstop, he then got the next batter Nishikawa to hit into a shortstop ground ball double play. Finally, he struck out Yamaguchi looking, effectively closing out the game by facing three batters.

He joined the Softbank Hawks as the first-round draft pick from Toyo University in 2018 and moved to the Seibu Lions as human compensation in the 2023 off-season. He has already experienced the CS stage during his rookie year in 2019. With today's win, the team secured second place, and it was decided that the first stage of the CS starting on the 10th will be played at their home, Belluna Dome. As a right-hander who knows the atmosphere of short-term decisive battles, he said with a smile, 'I'm looking forward to it. I experienced it when I was with The Hawks, and I remember being intimidated by the volume of the (Seibu Lions fans') cheering. Thinking that will now be on my side makes me very happy.'