◆ Seibu Lions Pacific League: Seibu vs. Orix Buffaloes (24th, Belluna Dome)

Orix Buffaloes 's Yamaoka, who was knocked out in the first inning in his first start in three years, had his potential loss erased. He was given a 1-0 lead, but then gave up a hitter home run to Canario on the first pitch. He also allowed a go-ahead sacrifice fly to Nevin and was pulled after only 20 pitches. However, reliever Yamazaki pitched 2 1/3 runs innings, and Iriyama and Yoshida followed, making the score 1-2 at the end of the 5th inning. In the 6th inning, Kita hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game, bringing it back to a tie.

Yamaoka looked dejected, saying, "I'm sorry for putting a burden on reliever pitchers," and went to the dugout to cheer them on.