◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026 Orix Buffaloes 2-1 Hanshin Tigers (June 12, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes won a close game to take first place in the "Kansai Derby." This marks their fourth four-game winning streak of the season. At their home stadium, Kyocera Dome Osaka, they achieved their second six-game winning streak, and their first six-game home winning streak in interleague play since 2021.

In the first inning, No. 2 batter Nishikawa hit his second solo home run of the season into the right-field stands. pitcher Hanshin Tigers— After Murakami gave the team an early lead, No. 3 batter Benibayashi followed with his eighth solo home run of the season, sending the ball into the upper deck of the left-field stands for the team’s second consecutive home run.

On this day, Perdomo made his first start in his 140th career NPB game. The right-hander, who in 1925 earned 35 hold points—tied for second in the league—as the “Eighth-Inning Man,” pitched three innings without allowing a run runs, delivering a solid performance.From the fourth inning onward, a relay of relievers—Iriyama, Takashima, Yoshida, Iwasaki, Yamazaki, Mukaki, and Machado—held on to the lead.

What's worrying is the condition of Kurebayashi, who left the game in the fifth inning due to discomfort in his left foot. As he's defense 's undisputed short stop, we can only hope that he's alright.

In the interleague games, they had an 8-7-1 record. The team, which had been struggling in June with its worst losing streak of the season at one point (five consecutive losses), has made a comeback.