◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 5-2 Orix Buffaloes (25th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Orix Buffaloes suffered a come-from-behind loss, resulting in their second consecutive series defeat. In the second inning, they scored the first run on double play play by So with bases loaded loaded and no outs. In the third inning, with one out and runners on second and third, Sugimoto hit sacrifice fly to left field, but a tough situation awaited them from there.

In the third inning, starting pitcher Takashima gave up a solo home run to Kondo. In the fifth inning, with two outs and a runner on second, he gave up a game-tying RBI single to Kondo. In the sixth inning, second pitcher Yamazaki allowed leadoff hitter Makihara to hit a ground ball, which second baseman Ota misplayed. After allowing Makihara to reach base in an unfavorable way, Yamazaki then gave up a go-ahead two-run single to Shoji with two outs and runners on second and third. With two outs and a runner still on second, third pitcher Yoshida gave up an RBI single to Masaki.

The offense failed to score any further runs after that. In the sixth inning, with the bases bases loaded and one out, Wakatsuki hit into a double double play on the first pitch, and despite 13 hit, they only managed two runs without a single timely hit, showing poor efficiency. They were unable to close the 5.5-game gap with the league-leading Seibu Lions.