◆パ・リーグ　オリックス０―４西武（２０日・京セラドーム大阪）

Orix Buffaloes infielder Kotaro Kobayashi made a triumphant return to the starting lineup. His left leg, injured in the game against Hanshin Tigers on the 12th (Kyocera Dome Osaka), has recovered, and he returned to the starting lineup for the first time in four games, batting ninth and playing shortstop. In the bottom of the ninth inning, trailing by four runs, he led off Seibu Lions 's Sumida with a single to center field. "I'm relieved that I got a hit," he said with a look of relief.

With the interleague games now over, he faced Soya and Takashima in live batting practice (a simulated game) during the team practice on the 18th. "I was able to stand against some really good pitcher," he said, confirming the live pitches and gradually improving his condition. In his seventh professional season, he has hit a team-high eight Home Run as the starting short stop. "I think time will heal the condition of my injured area. I'm still feeling my way around, but I want to keep going," he declared, indicating he will pick up the pace.

The team was silenced by Seibu Lions 's Sumida, managing only three scattered hit and suffering their ninth shutout game loss of the season. "They're all really good pitcher, so it's hard to score runs, but if we all work together, we can win. To be able to get into the pennant race from now on, we have to win tomorrow. I have to hit well to make up for the trouble I've caused so far," he said, looking ahead to winning the series.