◆ Pacific League Seibu Lions 5-1 Orix Buffaloes (August 2nd, Belluna Dome)

Orix Buffaloes couldn't hold up in the pitcher lineup and fell back to one deficit for the first time since July 23. Starting pitcher Takashima led by one run in the fifth inning, and with one out bases loaded, Seibu Lions Hiruma hit a go-ahead two-run doble to Hiruma for the third hit of the day. Having made the game runs 3 in the 6th inning, Manager Kishida pointed out, "Takashima does stumble a bit in that 5th inning, but I hope he can somehow hold his ground." He also pointed out that Takashima gave up 7 runs in the 5th inning, the second most in inning.

The team has lost three consecutive series, and is struggling on the road, with a deficit of 20 games. The gap with third-place Nippon-Ham has widened to 7 games, and the manager struggled to find the words to say, "It's tough... We just have to do our best, so we'll keep going."