◆ Pacific League Nippon-Ham 3-5 Lotte (August 1st, ES CON FIELD)

Nippon-Ham suffered a come-from-behind loss to Lotte, ending their four-game winning streak. In the ninth inning, with the score tied 3-3, their fourth pitcher, Fukushima, gave up a go-ahead two-run homer to Sato. Their lead in the standings is now 12 games.

Fukushima, who has temporarily switched from starting to reliever, took the mound in the 8th inning with the score tied. He pitch perfectly in the 8th inning, retiring the three hitter faced in just six pitches, but in the 9th inning, he gave up a single to Ogawa, the leadoff batter, and then a go-ahead two-run homer to Sato.

Manager Shinjo did not speak to the press after the game, instead releasing a statement through the team saying, "Tomorrow! Tomorrow!" and leaving the stadium about 20 minutes after the game ended.