◆ Pacific League Rakuten Eagles Orix Buffaloes (15th, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

Orix Buffaloes lost a close game, extending their losing streak to five games at Rakuten Eagles Mobile's Saikyo Park. In the 8th inning, with the score tied 2-2, pitcher Mukunoki, who is usually the winning pitcher, gave up the go-ahead run. With one out and a runner on third, McCusker hit a single to left field.

Katayama, who started for the first time this season, threw two runs partway through the fifth inning. He frustrated, saying, "I wanted to be pitch to pitch the final inning solidly," but he did his best. He connected Saiki, Gonda, and Yamazaki, but the relied setup man couldn't hold his ground at the crucial moment.

The offense managed only two runs against Kenta Maeda, whom they were facing for the first time, via squeeze and sacrifice fly. They were unable to support pitcher staff, who were essentially using bullpen that day.