◆ Pacific League: Rakuten Eagles 4-0 Orix Buffaloes (2nd, Morioka)

The Orix Buffaloes suffered consecutive losses to the last-place Rakuten Eagles, reaching a season-worst 6 games under .500 in the second year of Kishida's management. This marked their 13th shutout game loss of the season and their 8th three-game losing streak. Having failed to win a series for six consecutive matchups, their chances of a comeback to reach the Climax Series have become even more difficult.

On this day when the pitcher staff approached the game as a bullpen day, Iwasaki, making his first start in ten years, pitched two scoreless innings. The 36-year-old showed a strong performance on the mound as a starter for the first time since the Lotte game (at Yafuoku Dome) on August 28, 2016, during his time with the Softbank Hawks. However, the second pitcher, Tomiyama, allowed two runs in the third inning. The third pitcher, Yamaoka, fought hard and struck out four consecutive batters, but the fourth pitcher, Higashiyama, gave up two runs in the fifth inning.

The lineup was unable to break down Rakuten Eagles starter Shoji. With both the pitching and hitting failing to click, it was a bitter defeat.