[Orix Buffaloes] Falls to 5th place for the first time this season, humiliation piles up... Gives up four consecutive home runs from the first batter in the first inning, also the first time they've suffered a three-game sweep against the same opponent twice this season at Escon, has given up home runs in every game since the start of the season, 21 Home Run given up in 9 games | Pacific League

[Orix Buffaloes] Falls to 5th place for the first time this season, humiliating defeats continue... Gives up home runs to the first four batters in a row from the first inning, also the first time they've lost three straight games against the same opponent twice this season at Escon, have given up home runs in every game since the start of the season, and have surrendered 21 Home Run in 9 games.

Sports Hochi

July 2, 2026 21:00

Kazuma Sato sits dejectedly in the dugout after being taken out of the game (Photo by Masahiko Ikeuchi)

◆ Pacific League Nippon-Ham 9-1 Orix Buffaloes (August 2nd, ES CON FIELD)

Orix Buffaloes was utterly humiliated. Hajime Sato, who started for the first time this season, gave up four consecutive home runs to the leadoff Mizutani in the first inning, becoming the first in pro baseball history to hit home runs in a row. He was knocked out after 16 pitches, and the relief staff couldn't stop the Nippon-Ham lineup. From the third inning, he runs four inning in a row. Asking the batting lineup to catch up was also harsh that day.

On the road ES CON FIELD, they went 1-8. Following April, it was also the first time they suffered three consecutive losses in the same series twice in a season at the same stadium, which opened in 2023. Over 9 games, they had 67 runs and 21 Home Run allowed, leaving them in a state of collapse. They were overtaken by Lotte, who had not yet played a game, by a margin in winning percentage, and dropped to 5th place for the first time this season.