◆ Pacific League: Nippon-Ham vs. Seibu Lions (13th, ES CON FIELD)

Seibu Lions 's starting pitcher, Allan Winans, was pulled after 4 2/3 innings, having given up 6 hit 8 runs. This was his third consecutive start where he allowed 5 or more runs, and he was unable to control the game.

In the first inning, with two outs and runners on first and third, the fifth batter, Gunji, stole second and home on the third pitch of a 1-1 count, allowing the opposing team to score the first run. Then, with count at 3-1, Gunji hit a two-run homer into the right-field stands, giving up three runs in quick succession.

He recovered after that, retiring the side in order in the 2nd through 4th innings. However, in the 5th inning, with his teammates having narrowed the gap to one run, he loaded the bases with one bases loaded after consecutive hits by Narama and Isohata and Walk, before giving up sacrifice fly to Mizuno. With two outs and runners on first and third, he gave up an RBI infield hit to Reyes to shortstop and an RBI doble to Castro that hit third baseman, knocking him out of the game. Manager Nishiguchi called for a substitution, and he was taken out of the game before completing the 5th inning.

With two outs and runners on second and third base, the second pitcher, Kuroda, walked Walk batter, Gunji, loading the bases with two bases loaded. After a long eight-pitch battle with Yoshida, he gave up a timely single to left field, and while left fielder Hirasawa misplayed the ball, the runner on third base also scored. In the end, they were hit with a barrage of attacks from 10 hitter in the fifth inning alone, giving up 5 runs and falling far behind.

For the right-handed pitcher in his first year in Japan, this was his first appearance in a first-team game in about a month, since the game against Softbank Hawks on July 1st (at Mizuho PayPay Dome). He was aiming for his third win of the season, but it turned out to be a tough return to the mound.

If the team win this game, it will be their first three-game winning streak against the same opponent since the series against Hiroshima from June 9th to 11th (at Belluna Dome).