◆ Pacific League Orix Buffaloes 6-5 Seibu Lions (19th, Kyocera Dome) =10 extra inning =

Seibu Lions 's second-round draft pick and closer, pitcher Hakua Hakua Iwaki, gave up a game-tying home run for the second consecutive game. After the game, he boarded the bus dejectedly, saying, "I was falling behind in the count..."

He came in as the sixth pitcher in the 9th inning with a one-run lead. With one out, he gave up a game-tying solo home run to Ota to right field.

Regarding the left-hander’s future, Manager Nishiguchi explained, “He’s been giving up home runs recently, so I want him to really focus on that. I’d also like to see him regain a little more sharpness on his pitches. Moving forward, I think I’ll discuss this with Coach pitcher.”

In his previous start on the 10th against Hiroshima (at Belluna Dome), Iwaki had given up a game-tying two-run homer to pinch hitter Montero in the 9th inning with two outs and a runner on first base. He had not had a chance to pitch since then due to rest, so this was his first appearance on the mound in nine days.