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

Orix Buffaloes has suffered yet another loss. They lost a game by one run, suffering their second consecutive defeat against last-place Rakuten Eagles. They have now lost all five games at Rakuten Eagles Mobile's strongest park since the start of the season. "It's really tough to win even one game right now," said manager Kishida, acknowledging the reality. "We will all persevere and keep trying," he vowed to turn the tide.

Unable to completely break down their opponent, Ken Maeda, they managed only two runs—one from squeeze and another from sacrifice fly. Katayama, making his first start of the season after coming off the bullpen, pitched 4 1/3 innings—the longest outing of his second pro season.The bullpen also fought desperately to keep the game close, but in the eighth inning, Mukuoki—who leads the Pacific League with 22 hold—gave up the go-ahead run. Manager Kishida praised the individual efforts, saying, “pitcher and fielder have all been stringing together innings and giving it their all.”

This season, they have a 28-9 record at their spacious home stadium, Kyocera Dome Osaka. However, their away record is a dismal 13-30-1, making it another "jinxed" venue, following their 1-8 record at ES CON FIELD. The gap between them and third-placed Nippon-Ham who are in the playoff zone, has widened to four games. A win to break this losing streak is essential. (Toru Nagata)