◆Pacific League: Lotte 0-1 Seibu Lions (1st, ZOZO Marine)

Lotte edged out the Seibu Lions, ending their losing streak at four.

Shu Takano, who made his first start in two years since the game against the Softbank Hawks on July 17, 2024, pitched 98 balls over 7 innings, allowing 2 hits, 8 strike outs, and 0 runs in a brilliant performance to earn his second win of the season and his first win as a starter.

After receiving a one-run lead from Yasuda's timely hit in the first inning, he got off to a perfect start, not allowing a hit until two outs in the fourth. In the sixth, he gave up a left-field hit to the lead-off batter Canario, but retired Kojima on a fly ball to right and got Hasegawa to ground into a third-base double play, resulting in zero runs. He also allowed a runner in the seventh but did not permit any runs. He achieved a perfect score in the starting pitcher aptitude test conducted by Manager Saburo.