◆ Pacific League Orix Buffaloes 3X-2 Softbank Hawks (24th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes secured their sixth walk-off victory of the season, bringing their winning percentage back to .500. Trailing by one run in the bottom of the ninth inning, pinch hitter Kita led off with a single to left field. So laid down sacrifice bunt on the first pitch, and with one out and a runner on second, Yamanaka hit a game-tying single to left field. Nishikawa was intentional walk walked, but with one out and runners on first and second, Ota hit his second walk-off single of the season to center field, handing Lotte's Kawamura a last-minute defeat.

Manager Mamoru Kishida praised his players for their never-give-up attitude, saying, "There was a really heavy atmosphere throughout the game. In the ninth inning, it started with pinch hitter Kita, then So executed a solid bunt, and then Yamanaka and Ota followed with solid plays." He acknowledged Kawamura of the Marines, saying, "He moved the ball around a lot when he threw, and breaking ball sometimes curved and sometimes didn't. He was pitch that made it difficult to pinpoint his target," but nodded, adding, "Everyone did their best."

In the ninth inning, trailing by one run, Katayama completely pitch inning. He started against Softbank Hawks on the 22nd (at Mizuho PayPay Dome) but failed to get an out, throwing just 13 pitches and being KO'd in 4 runs. The second-year pro right-hander got his first win of the season after a day off and a fresh start. The manager commented, "He really got his revenge. He went to the team in a tough moment, but... I'm glad Katayama got the win."

The team has achieved its first seven-game home winning streak against Lotte in 17 years, since 2009. With two games remaining in the first half of the season, manager Kishida tightened the reins, saying, "We need to somehow hold on here and do our best in the remaining games."