◆パ・リーグ　オリックス０―２西武（８日・京セラドーム大阪）

The Orix Buffaloes' failure to win the championship for a third consecutive year has been confirmed. After achieving three consecutive league titles starting in 2021, they finished 5th and 3rd in the years prior. This season, the second under manager Mamoru Kishida, was plagued by a succession of injuries. Aces Miyagi and Yamashita were sidelined for long periods in May following surgeries on their left and right elbows, respectively. Among the fielders, Tongu underwent major surgery on his right knee, and Mori is also absent this season due to surgery on his left wrist.

As of May 8, the team had been fighting hard with a maximum of 10 games over .500, but they have suffered monthly losing records for three consecutive months since June. After falling below .500 on August 16, they were pulled away by the top teams. With a loss against the Seibu Lions at Kyocera Dome Osaka on this day, they are in 4th place with a season-worst-tying 6 games under .500. With 17 games remaining, the situation for a comeback to reach the CS is desperate.