◆ Pacific League Orix Buffaloes 3-6 Softbank Hawks (July 7th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Softbank Hawks led by three runs in the ninth with two outs and Yamanaka's groundout to third ground, which seemed to end the game, but third baseman Nomura hit a one-bounce bad throw to first. Closer Sugiyama then hit consecutive Walk to Nishikawa and Moritomo, putting the game in a bases loaded tie at one hit. Ota's hit to left-center was blocked by center fielder Shutou with a sliding catch.

"It looked like it would end with three up, three down, but Shuto saved the day," said manager Kokubo, praising the spectacular catch.