◆ Pacific League 6-3 Orix Buffaloes (15th, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Orix Buffaloes lost to Lotte, marking their fourth loss in their last five games.

In the seventh inning, with the score tied, the third pitcher, Yamazaki, gave up consecutive hits to Takabe and Ogawa with two outs, putting runners on first and second base. Then, on a 3-0 count, Nishikawa perfectly timed a 152 km/h fastball, resulting in a heartbreaking three-run homer over the left field fence that decided the game.

Starting pitcher Takashima was pulled after 5 innings, runs up 5 hit and strike out while striking out 5. His bid for a fourth win, which would tie him with Espinoza for the team lead, will have to wait.

Trailing by three runs in the sixth inning, the offense managed to score one run on a ground ball to the shortstop by Nishikawa with one out and runners on second and third. Then, with two outs and runners on first and second, Moritomo doble two-run double to right-center field to tie the game temporarily. However, they were unable to score any more runs after that.

Second-place Seibu Lions has closed the gap to just 0.5 games. They are in danger of losing their lead.