Pacific League: Seibu Lions 3-1 Nippon-Ham (25th, Belluna Dome)

Nippon-Ham lost their head-to-head matchup against the second-place Seibu Lions, and the gap between them and second place widened to four games. This marks their third consecutive loss since the game against Lotte on the 21st (ZOZO).

Starting pitcher Ito took mound hoping for his ninth win, his first since the game Softbank Hawks on June 19th (at Escon Stadium). closer to just two hit no runs through four innings, but in the fifth inning, with one out and a runner on first, he gave up a timely triple to Nakata, the number nine hitter, allowing the first run. In the sixth inning, he allowed three consecutive hits, creating a bases loaded-loaded situation with one out, and gave up a second run on sacrifice fly to left field by Nakata. He threw 104 pitches in six innings, giving up seven hit and two runs, resulting in his ninth loss. "I had a good start, but I gave up the first run, so it was a frustrating turn of events," he lamented.

The lineup was unable to break through against the opposing starter, Taira, held scoreless with six hits over seven innings. In the eighth inning, Kotaro Kiyomiya hit his 14th solo home run to right field off Wingenter, but the team lost.