The 14th game between Orix Buffaloes and the Saitama Seibu Lions will be held at Hotto Motto Field Kobe on July 4th at 6 PM.

[Head-to-head record] Orix Buffaloes (5th place) vs. Saitama Seibu Lions (2nd place): 7 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw

[Announced Starting Pitcher]
Orix Buffaloes: pitcher Espinoza, 12 games, 6 wins, 3 losses, ERA 2.49
Saitama Seibu Lions: pitcher Chihiro Sumida 12 games, 6 wins, 4 losses, ERA 2.30

Orix Buffaloes will start pitcher Espinoza. He has a good record against Saitama Seibu Lions so far, with a 2-0 record and a 2.14 ERA in three appearances. In the batting lineup, expectations are high for Keita Nakagawa. He struggled in June with a monthly batting average of .220, but in the last game he had a three-hit performance for the first time in five games. Can he maintain his good form in this game?

On the opposing side, Saitama Seibu Lions will field pitcher Chihiro Sumida. This season, he has appeared in four games against Orix Buffaloes, with a record of 1 win and 2 losses, but he has a good ERA of 1.73. In addition, Takuya Hiruma has had a good season in the minor leagues, batting .304 with 3 Home Run, and was promoted to the first team for the first time this season on the 3rd. In the previous game, he recorded 3 hit including a game-tying hit, and 1 RBI. He will be looking to bring momentum to the offense, which is currently struggling to score runs.

Written by Aoi Nishijima