◆ Pacific League Nippon-Ham 9-2 Orix Buffaloes (30th, ES CON FIELD)

They were all on the defensive until the end. "Hmm, well, it was a complete defeat. Today, you know, it's completely..." He gave up three home runs in the 3rd, 7th, and 8th innings, giving up 9 runs, and his only highlight was Kurenashi's 10th two-run homer in the second inning. Orix Buffaloes ・Manager Kishida was trying hard to shift his mindset, saying, "It hurts to lose the first game of the three-game series, but we have to keep fighting and keep going."

Starting pitcher Jerry was knocked out after just 48 pitches. He struggled, giving up 9 hit 5 runs in 2 1/3 innings, his worst performance in his first year in Japan. "I couldn't get the momentum going, and I'm sorry to the team." The foreign right-hander had ERA of 1.44 before the game. His 213cm frame looked small on this day.

At the opposing team's home field, Escon, they had a record of 1 win and 6 losses. They finished June with a record of 8 wins, 12 losses, and 1 draw. The first game of July will see Tajima pitch. In the past two years, they haven't faced Nippon-Ham, and on April 26, 2023, he was pulled from the game at Escon after giving up 6 runs in the middle of the 5th inning. Manager Kishida appealed to the left-hander, saying, "He just has to do his best and get results." Fifth-placed Lotte has also closed the gap to 1.5 games. The whole team is facing a critical moment. (Toru Nagata)