Pacific League: Lotte 0-3 Seibu Lions (6th, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Lotte repeatedly put runners in scoring position, but they were unable to get the timely hit and could not finish the final game of the season with a victory. Starting pitcher Lucchesi allowed two runs in five innings, but the lineup lacked a decisive hit against the opponent's relay of pitchers.

Manager Saburo, whose team finished in fifth place with 63 wins, 77 losses, and 3 draws in his first year in office, praised his team, saying, 'Unfortunately, we ended up in fifth place, and I take full responsibility for that result. The players fought hard until the very end.'

Nishikawa hit a single to left in the third inning, securing his first-ever most hit title with his 155th hit. Having joined the team as the first-round draft pick in 2024, he won the Rookie of the Year award last season and has now secured titles for two consecutive years. He is the first player from the club to take this title in five years, since Takashi Ogino in 2021. Rikuto Yokoyama pitcher earned the most saves title with 35 saves.

Lotte's starting rotation struggled this season. Taneichi suffered a torn left Achilles tendon in April and was sidelined for a long period. Ojima went 6-9. Jackson went 9-9 and was unable to build up a surplus of wins. On the other hand, the relievers fought hard, with Yagi earning 9 wins, Suzuki becoming the best reliever with 39 hold points, and Yokoyama shining with the most saves at 35. The challenge of strengthening the starting rotation for next season has become clear.

The lineup saw Yamaguchi grow into a main slugger, hitting 38 Home Run. Ogawa also showed his potential by appearing in 140 games. Nishikawa demonstrated evolution in his second year, but there was a lack of emerging fielder to follow these three, necessitating an improvement in the depth of the player roster.

Looking ahead to next season, the manager concluded, "It was a frustrating season, but we are still a young team. However, we are definitely moving forward. Our story has only just begun, so I want to write the word 'championship' on the final page of that story. Please stay with us until the end. Thank you very much for this past year."