◆ Pacific League League: Lotte vs. Seibu Lions (August 1st, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Seibu Lions pitcher Kaima Taira reached the required innings pitched and once again rose to the top of the Pacific League with an ERA of 1.45. Although he was four inning short before the game, he delivered a strong pitch, allowing one runs on six hit over seven inning. Without support from his teammates, his 11th win was put on hold and he took his fourth loss, but it was a superb outing.

After allowing a Walk to the leadoff hitter Fujiwara in the first inning and giving a Hit by Pitch to Sato with two outs, he faced a crisis with runners on first and second, eventually giving up the opening run after allowing an RBI single to center by Yasuda.

From the second inning onwards, he showcased a pitch that tightened up in key moments despite allowing runners. In the fifth inning, he gave up a triple down the right-field line to the lead-off batter Ogawa, but he managed to get through it by getting Ueda, Chatani, and Fujiwara to swing and miss for three consecutive struck out.

In the sixth inning, he faced another crisis with two outs and runners on first and second, but Tonosaki made a fine play to snag Terachi's grounder that looked like it would head through center field, saving the situation.

Taira left the mound after seven innings without any run support from the lineup. Unfortunately, he was unable to secure his 11th victory.