◆パ・リーグ　オリックス０―７日本ハム（１８日・京セラドーム大阪）

Nippon-Ham won convincingly against Orix Buffaloes (at Kyocera Dome), bringing their lead back to 10 games above .500. Starting pitcher Haruki Hosono (24) threw 98 pitches over 7 innings, allowing only 4 hit and no runs, earning his third win of the season, tying his personal best.

Hosono nodded repeatedly at catcher 's sign and swung his left arm. 5-0 in the seventh inning, two outs with runners on second and third. He got Wakatsuki to struck out with a fastball that went 149 km/h inside, letting out a roar of excitement. With a fastball topping out at 152 km/h, a sweeper, and splitter at the center, he dominated the ori lineup. He pitched a hit pitch through the fourth inning, saying, "My condition was probably the worst of the season, so I was bad, but I gave up the urge to aim for struck out and just kept throwing to hit balls," and didn't let the pitch focus on hitting the strike out.

This was the long-awaited first win for the pair who started at the same time. The 2023 first-round draft pick left-hander and the second-round draft pick Shindo earned their first win in their eighth time as battery mates. "Even if I get an out, if I throw a weird pitch I get told off (laughs). I get scolded and praised at the same time," he said, as he and his catcher, who is the same age, worked together to rack up outs. "Yuya (Shindo) was also really happy, so I felt relieved," he said, savoring win. Manager Shinjo gave him high praise, saying, "I think it was perfect." The powerful arm with outstanding potential is poised to break into the starting rotation. (Haruki Kawakami)