◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026: Orix Buffaloes vs. Chunichi (29th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)
starting line-up has been announced. Orix Buffaloes, aiming for their first five-game home winning streak in interleague play since their championship win in 2021, will have Raoh Sugimoto making his first start of the season as the "number 7 hitter and designated hitter." The slugger, who has recovered from knee pain and is on the verge of reaching 100 Home Run, is back in the lineup.
[Orix Buffaloes]
First baseman, third baseman Mune
Second batter, left fielder Nishikawa
No. 3 catcher Moritomo
Number 4, right fielder Nakagawa
5th batter, shortstop Kurebayashi
Number 6, first baseman Yamanaka
Number 7, DH: Sugimoto
Number 8, Second Baseman: Noguchi
Number 9, center fielder Watanabe
pitcher Jerry
![[Video] A hardball comes flying at him without a glove! Amazing reflexes shown in a life-or-death situation!](https://hochi.news/images/2026/04/15/20260415-OHT1I51450-L.jpg)
![[Scoreboard] Orix Buffaloes vs. Chunichi](/asset/img/news/source/logo_hochi.png){kind=logo}
![[Orix Buffaloes] Tomoya Noguchi started the interleague series with an 11-5 lead, but said of the last hitter, "It wasn't a ball I should have hit..." He hit a ground ball to the pitcher with two outs and a runner on third in the 9th inning.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/28/20260528-OHT1I51540-L.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Manager Mamoru Kishida: "He just has to switch gears and do his best." Yoshida gave up a go-ahead three-run homer in his first two consecutive appearances since surgery. pitcher coach Atsusawa also said, "Let's make '10' a milestone..."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/28/20260528-OHT1I51523-L.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Kosei Yoshida: "It was slider. I was thinking I could throw it low and inside, but..." He gave up a heartbreaking go-ahead three-run homer in his first two consecutive appearances of the season.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/28/20260528-OHT1I51514-L.jpg)
