◆ Pacific League: Lotte 8-6 Orix Buffaloes (October 10th, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Orix Buffaloes suffered a come-from-behind loss, extending their losing streak against Lotte to four games and dropping them to fifth place. Their pitcher staff gave up 14 hit and 8 runs, failing to hold on.

Starter Tajima pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing 3 runs. Regarding the ninth-year left-hander—who is struggling and has been pulled before the fifth inning for the third time in his last four starts—Manager Kishida commented,“He looked a little shaky right from the start. Last time, he showed some promise, but this time it wasn’t quite like that. He didn’t get the results, and it was a tough outing for him today,” offering a harsh assessment. In the sixth inning, with the team leading by one run, Iwasaki managed to record only one out and allowed four runs. He suffered his first loss of the season.

In the second inning, trailing by one run, Kita hit a timely doble the right field line with two outs and a runner on second to tie the game. In the third inning, trailing by two runs, Moritomo, returning to the starting lineup after a two-game absence, hit a game-tying two-run homer to right field, his seventh of the season. In the fourth inning, with one out and runners on first and third, Nakagawa hit a timely single to left field to give his team a temporary lead. With the fielder showing such fighting spirit, the manager remained optimistic, saying, "Tomorrow, we want to somehow persevere and win. We'll do our best."