◆ Pacific League: Lotte 3-8 Orix Buffaloes (November 11, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Orix Buffaloes secured a decisive victory, moving back up to fourth place. They ended their four-game losing streak against Lotte and their six-game losing streak on the road. The key player in this victory was Kida, in his sixth year as a professional.

In the second inning, with the score tied 0-0 and one out with runners on first and third, he hit a three-run homer to right field to give his team the lead. In the fourth inning, with a four-run lead, he blasted a two-run homer to right-center field with no outs and a runner on first. The power hitter prospect, who had only managed six Home Run in his five years as a professional, hit two homers in a single game for the first time in his career. In the third inning, Nishikawa hit a solo homer to center field, his fifth of the season.

On the pitching side, starter Takashima delivered a strong performance, allowing 9 hit and 2 runs while striking out 6 strike out over 7 1/3 innings, earning his fourth win of the season, a new personal best. The right-hander, who had gone five consecutive starts without win since his victory against Lotte on May 4th (Kyocera Dome Osaka), finally secured win in two months.