◆ Pacific League Softbank Hawks 6-5 Orix Buffaloes (23rd, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Orix Buffaloes suffered their first walk-off loss of the season, resulting in their third consecutive series loss. This was their 11th loss in July, guaranteeing a second consecutive month of losses. Back to a deficit of one game, manager Mamoru Kishida expressed his frustration, saying, "We haven't been able to win at all since the end of June."

On this day, Yamaguchi, a second-year high school graduate, made his first appearance and start of the season. In the second inning, he recorded three consecutive struck out batters, and centered on a fastball topping out at 151 km/h, holding the pitch to 1 runs through the fourth inning. However, in the fifth inning with a one-run lead, Masaki hit a go-ahead two-run homer over the field with no outs and a runner on first. He gave up a painful home run with three outs remaining before earning his first professional win, and was taken out with 5 hit 3 runs in 4 innings. The manager said, "I thought it was exciting. I got beaten this time, but I showed a good pitch despite having no experience at all. I thought he had guts," he praised.

In the second inning, with two outs and runners on first and second, Wakatsuki hit a go-ahead RBI single to center field. In the fifth inning, with the score tied 1-1, Sugisawa hit an RBI single to center field with one out and a runner on second to give the team a temporary lead. In the ninth inning, trailing by three runs, with one out and runners on first and second, Kurebayashi hit his 12th home run of the season, a three-run shot over left field, to tie the game temporarily. "fielder did a great job of catching up, but pitcher have been struggling in many crucial moments. I hope they can somehow pull themselves together. I think seeing what (Yamaguchi) Ren'o did will be an inspiration to many of pitcher," he emphasized.