◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026: The Giants 3-2 Orix Buffaloes (June 2nd, Tokyo Dome)

Orix Buffaloes lost a close game to The Giants, bringing their interleague record to 4 wins and 3 losses. They are now 1.5 games behind the Pacific League leaders Seibu Lions, and third-place Softbank Hawks, who win Chunichi, are now only 0.5 games behind. The home run they gave up in the second inning was particularly painful.

Immediately after scoring the first run, starting pitcher Kuri gave up a go-ahead two-run homer to Cabbage. With a 1-1 count, a high pitch was hit to right-center field. Manager Mamoru Kishida emphasized, "It can't be helped that he got hit. I threw that pitch on purpose, too." Without blaming the battery of Wakatsuki, he acknowledged the opposing foreign slugger's skill, saying, "He connected with it perfectly."