◆パ・リーグ　オリックス１―５日本ハム（１９日・京セラドーム大阪）

Orix Buffaloes suffered their second five-game losing streak of the season, tying their worst record, and is now one game below .500 for the first time since April 6th. They have now lost seven straight games against Nippon-Ham, with their offense remaining silent, scoring two runs or less in every game during that period. Manager Mamoru Kishida said, "There are times when we can hit and times when we can hold them closer, but the team's momentum itself isn't good, and that's why we're just sliding downhill (when facing Nippon-Ham). We'll do our best to make sure we can compete."

Starting pitcher Takashima gave up 10 hit 5 runs (3 earned) in the middle of the 4th inning, suffering his second loss of the season. In the first inning, after a single to Mizuno, he gave up a home run to Kiyomiya Yuki on the first pitch to right field, allowing the opposing team to score the first run in just four pitches. In the third inning, he gave up 3 runs, partly due to an error by third baseman So. The manager reflected, "He had the power, but he seemed to be tensing up, and his pitches were going too far inside." He took a positive view of the relief pitchers, including Yoshida and Yamaoka, who were promoted to the first team on the 18th, saying, "Iriyama, Yoshida Kosei, Yamaoka, and Abe all showed good pitching. I'm especially looking forward to seeing what Kosei and Yamaoka can do."