◆ Pacific League Nippon-Ham 2-5 Seibu Lions (12th, ES CON FIELD)

Seibu Lions Lions pitcher Yutaro Watanabe pitched a tenacious game, strike out four hit and allowing only four hits and two runs over seven innings, earning his fifth win of the season, his first in about two months since the game against Orix Buffaloes on June 21st (at Kyocera Dome). "Overall, there weren't many hits, so it was good. I'm happy," he said with a smile.

In the first inning, he struck struck out Mizuno and Yoshida consecutively with 150 km/h fastballs, and then retired Reyes with a line drive on a 151 km/h fastball, ending the inning with three batters retired in order. In the second inning, he retired the side in order again with just seven pitches.

However, in the third inning, with one out, he gave up a solo Home Run to Kiyomiya, a bullet line drive that landed in the right field bullpen, allowing the opposing team to score first. The moment the ball hit the bat, he put his hands on his knees and hung his head in despair. In the fourth inning, he allowed a runner on first with one out, but managed to get out of the jam. In the fifth inning, closer the side in order.

In the sixth inning, with one out, he gave up a solo Home Run to Mizuno, leaving him standing there stunned. However, in the top of the seventh inning, trailing by two runs, his teammates scored five runs in one inning, including a three-run homer catcher, Taiga Kojima (his sixth of the season), giving them the lead and securing the win.

The right-hander expressed his gratitude, saying, "A truly reliable first-round draft rookie. Everyone at fielder gave me great defense, and I scored five points in one go, so thanks to everyone, I was able to win," but the backside was runs pitch. He dodged Kojima and high-fived and left mound behind.