◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 3-1 Seibu Lions (August 2nd, Mizuho PayPay Stadium)

Softbank Hawks secured their first three-game sweep against Seibu Lions this season.

Starting pitcher Otsu gave up a solo run to Ishii with one out in the second inning, but he continued to pitch with breaking ball like change-up and one-seam fastballs. Then, with one out in bases loaded the fifth inning, Masaki hit a two-run single to left field, and in the sixth inning, leadoff hitter Kurihara hit a solo homer to score three runs to take the lead. Otsu also pitched the seventh inning with one runs and answered the run run.

From the eighth inning onwards, Matsumoto and Sugiyama closed out the game, securing a fifth consecutive win, interspersed with a draw. Otsu earned his eighth win, a career high and tying him for first place in the league. The team won all three games in the series, which began with Seibu Lions trailing by just one game, and maintained their first-place position.