◆ 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 point for the first time since July 23. Starting pitcher Takashima led by one run in the fifth inning with one out, bases loaded and Seibu Lions Hiruma hit a go-ahead two-run doble to Hiruma for the third hit of the day. Having made the game runs three in the sixth inning, he bit his lip and said, "I need to reflect on not pitching properly at the crucial moment."

The third-year right-hander has seven runs this season, the second most in five innings with inning or more. Manager Kishida said, "Takashima does have some trouble there, but I hope he can somehow hold on." In the eighth inning, third pitcher Miyakuni runs twice. The lineup hit six hit but only managed one run, and the manager showed a stern expression, saying, "If we had managed to get one home run in a chance, the game would have changed again..."

The team has lost three consecutive series, and is struggling on the road, trailing by 20 games. The gap with third-place Nippon-Ham has widened to seven games, and manager Kishida struggled to find the words to say, "It's tough... We just have to keep trying, so we'll do our best." (Shunta Nanbu)