On September 8, the 21st game between the Orix Buffaloes and Saitama Seibu Lions held at Kyocera Dome Osaka ended in a 2-0 win for the Saitama Seibu Lions.

Starting pitcher Kaima Taira allowed a hit with one out in the first inning but induced a double play to end the frame, then retired the side in order in both the second and third innings. In the bottom of the fourth, he allowed a hit with two outs but struck out Ryoto Kita on three pitches, and in the bottom of the fifth, he escaped a two-out, one-on situation without allowing any runs.

The lineup had runners on base against the opposing starter Jerry through the fifth inning but could not convert them into runs. However, in the top of the sixth, the leadoff hitter Canario reached base with a hit. After Natsuo Takizawa successfully executed a sacrifice bunt, Nevin hit a timely doble with two outs and a runner on second to successfully take the lead.

With the run support, pitcher Kaima Taira faced runners on second base for the first time that day in the bottom of the sixth due to a hit and a Walk, but he escaped without giving up a run. He retired the side in order in the seventh and eighth innings, finishing his outing after 8 innings, 110 pitches, 3 hits, 2 Walk, 7 strike out, and 0 runs. Then, in the top of the eighth, the lineup added a run with a timely infield hit by Taiga Kojima with one out and a runner on third, extending the lead to two points. In the bottom of the ninth, closer Hiroshi Kaino closed out the game without allowing a run despite issuing a Walk.

The victorious Saitama Seibu Lions started their four-game series against the Orix Buffaloes with a win. Kaima Taira earned his 11th win, tying his career high set in 2023, while in the lineup, substitute Junichiro Kishi recorded his first-ever 4 hit game and Canario recorded 2 hit. On the other hand, for the defeated Orix Buffaloes, starting pitcher Jerry pitched well, throwing 94 pitches over 8 innings with 8 hit, 0 Hit by Pitch or Walk, 4 strike out, and 2 runs, but the lineup ended the game with only 3 hit and 0 runs.

123456789 Total
Seibu 000001010 2
Orix 000000000 0

Seibu ○Kaima Taira-S Hiroshi Kaino
Orix ●Gerry-Sho Iwasaki

Text by Ryo Aritake