Pacific League: Orix Buffaloes 4-3 Softbank Hawks (29th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

The Orix Buffaloes won a close game against the Softbank Hawks, snapping their two-game losing streak. Starting pitcher Takashima, who had collapsed in the Softbank Hawks game on the 22nd (at Mizuho PayPay Dome) by giving up six runs in the middle of the fifth inning, earned his fifth win by allowing just one run over five innings, centered around a fastball that reached a top speed of 153 km/h. Manager Kishida praised the right-hander for his superb revenge performance, saying, "It was good that he started strong from the first inning. Going all out for the first time through the lineup is an important part of being a starter, and he did that well."

In the seventh inning, with the score narrowed to a one-run difference, the fourth pitcher, Yamazaki, was brought in with two outs and runners on second and third. He retired Yanagida with fork for a groundout to second base, and then retired the side in order in the eighth inning as well. He fulfilled his role with his fastball reaching a maximum speed of 157 km/h, earning his 18th hold. The manager nodded and said, "It was a big one. I entrusted him with four outs (including pitching across innings). He's been well-prepared and has been consistently practicing. I think his ability closer has given him the most confidence, and he's been able to throw with more power."

In the third inning, after the lineup took a two-run lead due to an opponent's error, Kurebayashi hit a timely doble down the left-field line with two outs and a runner on second. The 24-year-old, who has held the regular shortstop position since 2021, reached 100 hits for the sixth consecutive year and achieved his first 50 RBI. Manager Kishida acknowledged his growth, saying, 'I think he is performing like a core player, but he is a player with a long career ahead of him. I think he still has a long way to go, but he is steadily leveling up.'

With 24 games remaining, the team is in fourth place, eight games behind third-place Nippon-Ham, who are in a Climax Series spot. The manager looked ahead to winning the series, saying, "We will keep doing our best."