◆ Pacific League Orix Buffaloes 8-3 Softbank Hawks (20th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes Anderson Espinoza pitcher spilled white teeth. "Today, I was even happier because I had support from the batting lineup. I was able to attack with more confidence than usual." He finished with 95 pitches, finishing six innings with 4 hit 2 runs, tying the league's most for his fifth win. He showed good form by achieving his sixth quality start (QS = 6 or more innings, 3 earned runs or less) in 7 games.

On the victory platform, he showcased his now-customary sharp Japanese. "How's everyone doing? Thanks to you all, we won. Thanks for your support today, Kyocera Dome. I'm counting on you in the future, and I'll do my best too. Well then, be careful on your way home," he said, using Kansai dialect to elicit roars of laughter from the fans.

Manager Kishida praised him, saying, "He started well. I think he's getting quite used to Japan." With Miyagi and Yamashita undergoing surgery in the US, the right-handed pitcher, in his third year in Japan, is expected to be a key player in the starting rotation and said, "I'm not that attached to the number of win I get. I'm happy that I'm winning as a result, but personally, I'm only aiming for the championship."