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

Orix Buffaloes suffered a crushing defeat. This was also the first time in a 1-8 away game at ES CON FIELD that they suffered three consecutive losses on the same fixture twice this season. In 9 games, they have 67 runs and 21 Home Run allowed, leaving the team in a state of collapse.

After the game, the team bus left first, followed by a coaches' meeting lasting over 30 minutes. Manager Mamoru Kishida wore a grim expression, saying, "We've been consistently beaten here. No matter what countermeasures we come up with, it's not working out." Sato Ichi, who gave up four consecutive Home Run to the first four batters in the first inning—a first in professional baseball history—and was knocked out of the game after just 16 pitches, shed tears and said, "I'm just so frustrated."

The team has fallen to fifth place for the first time this season. Manager Kishida muttered dejectedly, "I've never seen four consecutive home run before," and appealed to the players, "We have a lot of young players. They need to keep learning, gaining experience, and improving their level as they go along."