◆パ・リーグ　オリックス３―１西武（５日・京セラドーム大阪）

Orix Buffaloes 's Espinoza flashed a wide smile, revealing his dazzling white teeth. "I'm happy to have achieved that in the first half of the season," he said, delighted about his win. In his first rescheduled start of the season, runs a rainout on the 4th, he held the opponent to just one run over seven innings, securing his seventh win, tying his personal best. It was also a magnificent "first win" in a game attended by his first child, Kenzo, who was born in February and arrived in Japan on June 20th.

This is his third year in Japan. Now, even with words, he is a pitcher leader who leads the field. In the Nippon-Ham game on the 2nd (ESCON), starting pitcher Hajime Sato gave up four consecutive home runs from the leadoff first inning for the first time in history. "Daijo Fly. I can't help but feel weak." After practice on the 3rd, he encouraged his left-handed pitcher after his Japanese was in disappointment, and in the end, they pledged to fight together.

In the ninth inning, with a two-run lead, fellow Venezuelan Machado closed out the game in three batters. His 20 saves for the third consecutive year extended his own record as a foreign player for the team. On the 8th, in the game against Softbank Hawks (at Kyocera Dome), the two will both participate in a fundraising campaign for earthquake relief in their home country. The team also secured its first win of July, moving back up to fourth place. The Venezuelan duo both said, "We want to thank everyone for their support." The team also secured its first win of July, moving back up to fourth place. They are shining beyond the typical role of foreign players. (Shunta Nanbu)