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

Lotte Toshiya Sato catcher used her Pokémon power to perform a big move, the "Hydro Pump," leading to win.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, with one out and runners on second and third base, Tajima threw the fifth pitch, a fastball. He hit the 149 km/h fastball to left field for a two-run RBI single, giving his team the lead. He slid into second base during throw and raised both hands in the air, saying with a smile, "I just had to go for it. I was prepared to go for anything, even a fastball. I'm working hard because I want to stand here (on the podium)."

On this day, a collaboration event called "Pokémon Baseball Festa 2026" was held, and Sato, who interacted with Pikachu before the game, spoke about his favorite Pokémon, saying, "I like Mudkip because it has a cute face. I also like Swampert (its final evolution) because it becomes cool when it evolves." Hydro Pump is one of the powerful water-type moves that Mudkip learns at level 39. He couldn't stop smiling after his valuable two-run hit in the game-winning hit.

He hit home runs on two consecutive days in the games against Nippon-Ham on the 14th and Orix Buffaloes on the 15th (both at ZOZO Marine Stadium). On this day, he was in good form with 2 hit in 3 At Bat, and he analyzed the reasons for his performance, saying, "Regardless of the results, I think one of the reasons is that I'm able to react properly to the pitches I should be hitting, whether I'm aiming for them or not. I think one of the reasons is that I'm able to go for the ball."