◆ Pacific League Nippon-Ham 3-0 Lotte (August 2nd, ES CON FIELD)

Nippon-Ham secured a decisive victory with both their pitching and hitting clicking. They won their first series of the second half of the season 2-1, bringing their lead to 13 games, tying their season high.

In the second inning, with two outs and a runner on first base, Arizono hit a timely doble down the right field line to score the first run. In the third inning, Reyes hit a curveball from Lotte's starting pitcher Jackson for his 23rd home run of the season, a two-run shot over left field, effectively adding to the score.

On the pitching side, starting pitcher Arihara delivered a superb performance. He shutout game the Lotte lineup with 9 innings, allowing only 3 hit and no runs, securing his first shutout of the season and his third win of the season with just 100 pitches. He was just one pitch away from achieving a Maddux (shutout game win with under 100 pitches).