◆ Pacific League Orix Buffaloes vs. Lotte (24th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes pitcher Sean Hjelle is scheduled to start against Lotte on the 25th Kyocera Dome Osaka. The 213cm right-hander, in his first year in Japan, gave up four runs by the fifth inning in his last start against Nippon-Ham on the 18th at Kyocera Dome Osaka, resulting in his sixth loss. "There was some bad luck last time, but that's part of baseball, so I have to move forward. My mechanics are getting better, so I'm taking it positively," he said, having prepared himself to be in better condition after six days of rest.

In the three-game series Softbank Hawks starting on the 21st (at Mizuho PayPay Dome), a total of 15 pitcher gave up a combined 29 runs. With the eighth game of the nine-game series in mind, he said, "Creating a situation where bullpen pitcher don't need to come out would be good for both myself and the team. Rather than striking out struck out, I want to get outs as early as possible in count," setting his sights on his first complete game shutout game since coming to Japan as his ultimate goal.