◆ Pacific League Rakuten Eagles Orix Buffaloes (14th, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

Orix Buffaloes suffered four consecutive losses at Rakuten Eagles Mobile's home ground, including two straight defeats against opposing starting pitcher Takinaka. Their offense, which had recorded double-digit hit in four consecutive games, managed only one run, a solo home run by Nakagawa for the second consecutive game. Manager Mamoru Kishida was resolute after the game.

"We were trying our best to prepare countermeasures, but we just couldn't get the batting lineup to connect... It was a truly impressive pitch, overall a fantastic pitch." Kuri, who started after five days of rest, did a good job, giving up only two runs in six innings. "Both teams had good pitcher starting, and it was a close game. It was a good pitch," he said, without blaming anyone.

They are now eight games behind league leaders Softbank Hawks, their largest deficit of the season. On the 15th, relief pitcher Katayama will start, making it essentially bullpen day.