◆ Pacific League 2-0 Orix Buffaloes (16th, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Orix Buffaloes suffered their eighth shutout game loss of the season, the most in both leagues, and their second three-game losing streak of the season. They are now down five of their last six games, four of which were scoreless. They are in a difficult situation, having failed to win a series for three consecutive games.

Seymour, who was left out of the starting lineup the previous day on the 15th, returned to starting line-up for the first time in two games as the cleanup hit and first baseman. However, he went hitless in four At Bat-bats, extending his hitless hit to 20 consecutive plate appearances.

Starting pitcher Tajima pitched a tenacious 5 1/3 innings, allowing 7 hit and 2 runs strike out 4, but received no run support and suffered his first loss. The two-run single to left field that he gave up to Sato with one out and runners on second and third in the 6th inning proved costly.

On this day, second-place Seibu Lions lost, so they avoided losing their lead. Their lead in the standings was reduced to six games, but they maintained their position as the league leader with a 0.5 game advantage.