◆ Seibu Lions Pacific League: Seibu vs. Softbank Hawks (7th, Belluna Dome)

Seibu Lions Lions pitcher Kosei Takahashi (29) started the game against Softbank Hawks Hawks at Belluna Dome on the 7th, throwing 98 pitches over 6 innings, allowing 4 hit and 1 runs, strike out 6, and reaching a top speed of 155 km/h. However, he left the game with the score tied 1-1, missing out on his 9th win of the season.

In his previous start on July 26 against Softbank Hawks (Belluna Dome), Takahashi Mitsuru was the lose pitcher, giving up 4 hit 3 runs in 8 innings. His first start of the second half of the season will be against Softbank Hawks at his home stadium for the second consecutive time.

Prior to the game, his record was 8 wins and 5 losses, ERA 2.51. He was just two wins away from achieving double-digit win for the fifth time since 2023.

In the first inning, he let off the leadoff pitcher Masaki with a sweeper to the inside struck out. With two outs, Kondo hit a hit to right field, but with two outs and a runner on first, he hit a swinging struck out with a 155 km/h fastball from Kurihara, who formed an All-Star battery with two outs.

In the second inning, he gave up a single to Yanagida, the leadoff hit, but retired the next batters to keep the score at runs. In the third inning, with two outs, he allowed infield hit to Shuto to first base, but then got Kondo to ground out to second base.

Neither team managed to get three up, three down through the third inning, but neither scored. In the fourth inning, after Walk the leadoff batter Kurihara, the pitcher threw five consecutive sweepers to Yamamoto Yu with two outs and a runner on second base, but he gave up a timely doble down the left field line, conceding the first run.

At the end of the fourth inning, pitcher coach Toyoda commented on Takahashi Hikaru, saying, "Overall, he's been pitching in good form."

In the fifth inning, he retired the side in order for the first time in the game. Then, in the bottom of the fifth inning, his battery partner Tsuge hit his first home run of the season, Walk shot to left field just inside the foul pole, tying the game. In the sixth inning, with the score tied, he walked Kondo, the leadoff batter, but with one out and a runner on first, he got Yanagita to hit into a double double play, slapping his glove and showing his emotions.

In the 7th inning, with the score tied 1-1, Moriwaki took mound as the second pitcher.