◆ Pacific League Orix Buffaloes 9-1 Lotte (August 8, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes outfielder Ryoma Nishikawa (31) had announced before the game: "I'm going to aim for change-up on the first pitch." He visualized it behind the dugout and faced Jackson. He put his plan into action in the first inning. With no outs and runners on first and third, doble a game-winning two-run double to left-center field. He has three hits in four At Bat hit this season when attacking on the first pitch, and joked, "I was satisfied with that..."

In March, there was an exhibition game against Samurai Japan. He intently watched Ohtani's (Dodgers) batting. He downloaded videos of it to his smartphone and decided to make changes. The key point is how to use his left hand. He raises it higher than last year and has been getting his body used to it since the spring training games. He's also working on his timing and improving his contact rate. He's learned from the genius, a two-way player born in the same year as him (1994), and is performing at a high level with a batting average of .357.

Jackson played for DeNA until 2025. Last season, Avg against left-handed hitter was .259 (compared to .216 against right-handed batters). The lineup, which featured seven left-handed batters, scored a season-high nine runs. Watanabe, who had two hit, made his first start, and with the exception of reserve catcher Fukunaga, every member of the first-team roster got to experience being in the starting starting line-up.

They are the only team in the league that hasn't had a position fielder removed from the roster since the start of the season. Manager Kishida is also pleased, saying, "The young players are getting stronger. I think the competition is a good stimulus for everyone." With their first series win in two series, they are now one game above .500. The Orix Buffaloes' performance is becoming more stable. (Toru Nagata)