◆ Pacific League Seibu Lions 1-5 Nippon-Ham (28th, Belluna Dome)

Nippon-Ham won their second straight game against league leaders Seibu Lions, bringing their lead to a season-high nine games above .500. They have now narrowed the gap with the league leaders to three games.

Starting pitcher Fukushima allowed the first run in the first inning with two outs and a runner on second, when Nevin hit an RBI single to center field doble. However, he found his rhythm as the game went on, pitching six innings on 100 pitches with four hit and one runs to earn his third win since May 28 against the Hanshin Tigers (Koshien).“I wasn’t in absolutely top form, but I managed to get through six innings. It was a shame to give up that run in the first inning runs, but I think that helped me shift my mindset and step up my game.” He recorded a top speed of 155 km/h, with 6 strike out. With his fourth consecutive quality start (6+ innings earned runs 3 or fewer), he demonstrated exceptional consistency.

With the score 0–1 in the bottom of the 5th inning with two outs bases loaded, Mizutani hit a two-run single to right field, giving his team the lead. In the 6th inning, Yoshida hit an RBI single to left field, and in the 7th, Narama hit an RBI single over the left-field fence doble to add to the lead.