◆ Pacific League Nippon-Ham 7-4 Lotte (24th, ES CON FIELD)

Lotte suffered two consecutive losses as their pitching and hitting failed to come together, bringing their winning percentage down to 50%.

In the same matchup on the 23rd, they gave up two home runs to Reyes in the first inning and to Shindo in the third, and were shutout game by starting pitcher Kitayama with only three hit allowed. On this day, they started right-handed hitters Inoue and Yamamoto against Nippon-Ham starting starting line-up Kato, but were closer scoreless until the sixth inning, and their pitching and hitting did not click, resulting in the loss of their winning record.

Meanwhile, Nippon-Ham had a season-high eight wins above .500. They entered the two-game series two games behind, and if Lotte had won both games, they would have had a chance to move up to fourth place without any game difference. However, in the end, they are now four games behind Nippon-Ham.

Manager Saburo, while acknowledging Nippon-Ham lineup's four Home Run that day, explained, "When it comes to The Fighters, if we can't hit, the probability closer Nippon-Ham lineup will be lower, and even if we give up runs, we can still score... It would be great if we could score first and hold on, but even if we give up runs, being able to score gives us hope. In terms of momentum. After watching yesterday's game, I thought we needed someone who could swing a little harder." Regarding his decision to select Inoue and Yamamoto for starting line-up, he revealed, "I thought that if The Fighters can't hit for power, it will be tough for them."