Pacific League: Orix Buffaloes 3-6 Softbank Hawks (30th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

The Orix Buffaloes lost to the league-leading Softbank Hawks, falling to a season-worst tie of four games under .500. Having failed to win a series for five consecutive series, they finished August with a 10-15 record, marking their third consecutive month with a losing record. Manager Mamoru Kishida expressed his frustration, saying, "We haven't been able to keep (winning series) going..."

Starting pitcher Soya threw his fifth loss, throwing his shortest three innings this season with 10 hit 5 runs (4 earned). The manager explained the reason for his early departure, saying, "He clearly seemed to be struggling, and I think he was at full power in that inning." From the fourth inning, second pitcher Tajima runs four inning. "He started well. (We'll think about future uses)." In the eighth inning, third pitcher Furutajima, who was making his first first-team appearance in four months since the game against Seibu Lions on April 16 (Kyocera Dome Osaka), was runs. "During farm adjustments, I was also doing flank work, but physically I'm fine. Now I just have to get used to the game," he said, strongly endorsing his comeback.

The gap between the team and third-place Nippon-Ham, who are in a Climax Series spot, widened to a season-high nine games. Manager Kishida looked ahead, saying, "The month is changing, and for the final month of September, we just have to give it everything we've got."