◆ Pacific League: Orix Buffaloes vs. Nippon-Ham (18th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes Taisuke Yamaoka pitcher joined the first team on the 18th. In his 10th professional season, he switched back to a starting pitcher but started the season in the second team. He made his first start of the season in the Seibu Lions game on May 24 (Belluna Dome), but was knocked out in 2/3 of the innings with 3 hit, 2 runs, and 1 Walk. He was removed from the active roster the following day, 25th. After that, in the farm league, he appeared in 9 games as a starter and reliever, posting a solid record of 16 1/3 innings with 6 runs (4 earned) and ERA 2.20.

The team suffered three straight losses to last-place Rakuten Eagles, and their lead, which was once as high as 10 games, has shrunk to just 1. Iwasaki and Gonda were removed from the active roster on the 17th, and Kishida is expected to be used in relief. Manager Kishida expressed his expectations, saying, "He's been pitching short stop inning, and his condition is improving. I just hope he can simply closer hitter." The "Orihime Day" event also started today. The handsome right-handed pitcher, who topped the Orix member voting for three consecutive years since 2019 and came in 8th this season, is making a fresh start.