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

Starting pitcher Natsuki Takeuchi left the mound after four innings pitched, recording four strike outs and three hits with zero runs. Although he did not earn a win due to an early substitution with an eye on the future, he reached the regulation innings pitched for the second time in two years and said, "I want to thank the manager and coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to play."

Before the game, there were 4 innings remaining until reaching the required innings pitched. In the first inning, although Terachi reached base with a center-field hit with two outs, the start saw the next batter, Dai Yamamoto, struck out swinging on a 148 km/h fastball. The second inning was a three-up, three-down performance. In the third inning, there were runners on first and third with two outs, but no runs were allowed.

In the fourth inning, he gave up a Walk with one out, but ultimately retired Sato on a 147 km/h fastball pitch for a ground ball to shortstop. After finishing the fourth inning, he reached the required number of innings pitched.

The Climax Series (CS) begins on the 10th. Looking ahead to his first time on this stage, he expressed his determination, saying, 'I just have to make the best possible preparations for the CS. I will do my best to be ready.'