◆ Pacific League Lotte 4-5 Seibu Lions (August 2nd, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Third-place Seibu Lions won two consecutive games against Lotte, bringing their record back to 15 wins, 15 losses, and 1 tie, and returning to a .500 winning percentage. This is the first time Seibu Lions has had a .500 winning percentage since March 31st, when they had a 2-2 record after the fourth game of the season.

In the second inning, with one out and the bases loaded, Sosuke Genda drew Walk from Lotte's starting right-handed pitcher Haruya Tanaka, forcing in the first run. Another runner scored on a ground ball to shortstop by Takizawa, giving them a 2-0 lead in the inning.

In the fourth inning with two outs and a runner on first, leadoff hitter Canario hit a massive two-run homer to the middle of the right-center field stands, his first home run since coming to Japan. In the sixth inning, infielder Kazunari Ishii who joined the team as a free agent from Nippon-Ham blasted his first home run since joining the team, a solo shot to right field.

Third-year left-hander Natsuki Takeuchi, who started the game, allowed 8 hit and 4 runs through the middle of the 7th inning, not giving up the go-ahead run and earning his second win of the season. The relief pitchers held strong until the end. This gives Seibu Lions their fifth consecutive win on the road. Takeuchi also ended his four-game road losing streak.