◆ Pacific League Seibu Lions 4-3 Orix Buffaloes (24th, Belluna Dome)

He maintained a poker face, absorbing the pressure and pitching to the end. In the ninth inning, with a two-run lead, Seibu Lions 's closer, Iwaki, gave up a run and then had runners on second and third with two outs, but he got Nakagawa to fly out to second base with a 148 km/h fastball. He reached 16 saves, putting him at the top of Pacific League standings. "It was incredibly tough. I'm mostly relieved that the team won and we were able to finish strong." He breathed a sigh of relief after reclaiming the top spot from Orix Buffaloes in just two days.

He pitch with all his might. After giving up Home Run to the leadoff batter, Kurebayashi, he said, "I tried to switch gears and focus on getting the next batter closer, but it didn't work out today," and after getting one out, he Walk Watanabe. With two outs and runners on first and second, he was called for his first balk since turning pro, and he said with a wry smile, "I might have been a little restless. I was in a hurry today and was just struggling." Nevertheless, he pushed through with sheer determination in the end.

Manager Nishiguchi praised the rookie, saying, "He has good control and power in his pitches. I thought I could watch him with confidence until the end. He's really delivered." The rookie has lived up to expectations. The team has paid off its deficit, which was as high as five games, and has accumulated seven wins, entering the interleague series in first place for the first time in eight years since 2018. The Lions, the only team among the 12 teams that has never won the interleague series, are on their way to their first championship. (Ayami Onaka)