◆ Pacific League Seibu Lions 7-4 Orix Buffaloes (18th, Tokyo Dome)

Orix Buffaloes collapsed, with pitcher in three consecutive games hitting double-digit runs, marking their seventh three-game losing streak of the season. Starter Kuri was hit pitch through three innings but had six runs in the fourth. This marked his eighth loss, and he expressed his anger on the bench, saying, "I'm sorry I couldn't fulfill my role as a starter."

Manager Kishida explained, "I was closer to use a fastball at the first inning, but from the second inning, I started choosing breaking ball. There were moments that looked chaotic, so I switched to Toyama," explaining the reason for leaving Kuri in the third and third innings. In the fourth inning with two outs and bases loaded the score at 1-3, Ota missed Nishikawa's grounder to first, and the momentum couldn't be restored. "I made errors and it turned into a big inning," he said, expressing frustration.

In his second year as manager, Kishida faced his worst-ever deficit of two games, a feat he had avoided seven times in a row. "This is a critical moment. We have to somehow persevere," he said, desperately trying to look ahead.

The team announced that day that second-year right-handed pitcher Teranishi was diagnosed with a left hamstring injury on the 16th. The manager explained, "It's a muscle tear, so I don't think he'll be able to return anytime soon."