◆ Pacific League: Orix Buffaloes Rakuten Eagles (5th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes ・ Ryo Ota infielder started on the bench. During the game against the Rakuten Eagles on the 3rd (Tokyo Dome), he injured his left wrist while defense and was substituted out. Although he had been taking batting practice before that day’s game, he was held out of the starting lineup as a precaution.

Kotaro Kobayashi infielder, who leads the team with 13 Home Run, started at “No. 4, shortstop.” Ryoto Kita outfielder, who hit his first career walk-off—a three-run homer—on the 3rd, was slotted into the “No. 5, right field” spot. Espinoza, who is on pace for his first double-digit win as a foreign player for the team in 20 years, will start mound.

Orix Buffaloes starting line-up is as follows:

1 (3) Sect

2 (1) Yamanaka

3 (D) Nishikawa

4 (Play) Beni Hayashi

5 (Right) Kurita

6 (Left) Nakagawa

7 (2) Giho

8 (captured) Wakazuki

9 (middle) Watabe

Starting pitcher: Espinoza