◆ Pacific League Orix Buffaloes 3x-2 Softbank Hawks (8th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes secured their fifth walk-off victory of the season. This was their first win against league leaders Softbank Hawks in four games, and they have once again narrowed the gap to seven games.

In the fourth inning, trailing by one run, So hit his seventh home run of the season over the right field fence. In the eighth inning, when they were once again trailing by one run, Kurebayashi hit his eleventh home run of the season over the left field fence, tying the game once more.

Starting pitcher Kuri pitched a tenacious 7 innings, allowing 7 hit 2 runs. He was denied his 7th win, which would tie him for the team lead, but his 111 pitches set the stage for a dramatic victory. The relief pitchers closer the opponent runs from the 8th inning onward.