◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 6X-5 Lotte (August 8, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Lotte failed to hold on for the win, suffering their second four-game losing streak of the season and reaching 20 losses. Their record is now 13 wins and 20 losses, putting them seven games behind, their worst deficit of the season.

With a two-run lead in the 9th inning, Yokoyama, the guardian god who had eight saves this season, was held up. He was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and gave up a single to Kurihara. Nomura's hit and two steals allowed Makihara to doble hit a timely shot to left field with two outs to tie the game. Tanigawara followed with a walk-off timely doble to right field, giving him his first black star of the season.

After the game, manager Saburo did not blame Yokoyama, saying, "He has been working hard up until now. I think things like this happen a few times a year. Well, it can't be helped." He added, "There was an eight-day break between starts, so that was a bit of a concern. But he's the closer, so I let him go until the end," speculating that Yokoyama's first appearance since the game against Rakuten on April 29 (at ZOZO Rakuten Eagles Stadium) had thrown him off his pitch rhythm.