◆ Pacific League Nippon-Ham 0-1 Seibu Lions (11th, ES CON FIELD)

Seibu Lions won a close game, securing a victory in their three-game series against Nippon-Ham and moving up to second place.

In a pitching duel between Taira and Ito, the game remained scoreless until the 7th inning. In the 8th inning, lead-off hitter Yamamura singled to center hit, and pinch-runner Takamatsu advanced to third base on stolen base and an opponent's error. With one out and a runner on third, Takizawa stepped up to the plate and hit Ito's 138 km/h splitter for a timely single to center field, bringing in the much-awaited first run.

Starting pitcher Kaima Taira pitcher pitched 7 innings, 2 hit no runs, marking his 8th win after about a month. He went all out from the very first inning. In the first inning, with one out and a runner on second, he started off by swinging and missing both batter Mannami and fourth batter Reyes with a 159 km/h fastball to struck out in a row.

In the second through fourth innings, he retired the side in order each time. In the sixth inning, he gave up the first hit of the day, a single to center hit to Isobata, who advanced to third base with two outs. However, he threw two consecutive fastballs to Manami, a 158 km/h fastball on the first pitch and a 159 km/h fastball on the second, quickly putting him in a tough spot. He then followed up with another 158 km/h fastball on the third pitch, forcing a fly ball to second base and preventing the opposing team from scoring the first run.

closer the opposing team runs for seven innings, and his teammates scored the first run in the eighth inning. He left the game with the potential to be win pitcher.

From the eighth inning, Wingenter came in as the second pitcher. Leadoff pitcher Yazawa swung struck out and missed with a 155 km/h fastball, and the following ball to Igoman was catch by first baseman Nebin fled sideways to Igoman and grounded out to first. Finally, with a 157 km/h fastball, Mizuno flew out to third and finished the game with no runs.