◆ Pacific League Nippon-Ham 1-7 Softbank Hawks (18th, ES CON FIELD)

Nippon-Ham suffered a crushing defeat against league leaders Softbank Hawks, bringing their season record against Softbank Hawks to 3 wins and 15 losses. The gap between them widened to 8.5 games.

Starting pitcher Ito was hit hard in the third inning, giving up seven hit five runs (four earned) before being knocked out of the game. The right-handed pitcher, who won the Sawamura Award last year, has now gone eight consecutive starts without a win, suffering his fifth consecutive loss and eighth loss of the season.

The offense, facing Moineiro for the first time this season, managed only two hit through six innings. Reyes hit his 26th home run of the season in the second inning, a solo shot over left field that temporarily tied the game, but they failed to create any significant scoring opportunities.

Manager Shinjo commented on both teams' starting pitchers, saying, "Moinelo is good. He has a good tempo. When the tempo is that good, fielder don't have as much time to concentrate, so there will be more great plays. I hope they can emulate starter. (Ito's tempo) wasn't good. The atmosphere on mound wasn't very good either."

Regarding the 3-15 record against Softbank Hawks, he spoke positively, saying, "There are years like this. It might turn around again (when the season changes). We often lose the first game but then win the next two, so we'll think about how we can win tomorrow."