Orix Buffaloes CRUSHED! 8 Straight Losses End Championship Dreams

Orix Buffaloes Championship Hopes Dashed by Softbank Sweep!

The Orix Buffaloes' championship dreams have been crushed after suffering an eighth consecutive defeat against the Softbank Hawks. The devastating loss completely eliminates their chances of winning the Pacific League title. The Buffaloes fell to the Hawks 0-5 on the 15th, marking a season-long struggle against their rivals.

According to Fuji TV ONE's "Professional Baseball News 2025," Orix has struggled mightily against Softbank this season, posting a meager .234 batting average, scoring only 55 runs, and allowing a high 4.65 ERA. Hiroki Nomura pointed out their dismal 3-15 record against Softbank, casting doubt on their chances of even reaching the Climax Series.

Commentator Takahiro Saeki noted the stark contrast in the team's performance, stating, "They play really good, tenacious games against other teams, but for some reason, as soon as they face Softbank, it feels like they become a completely different team." Nomura emphasized the decline in both batting average and ERA, urging the team to find solutions in their remaining five games.

Manager Mamoru Kishida, in his first year after taking over from Nakajima, expressed his disappointment, stating, "I know everyone is frustrated about that... We just have to win one game at a time." Despite the championship setback, the Buffaloes are now focused on securing a spot in the Climax Series, with Kishida determined to achieve the remaining goals.

Adding to the woes, a previous game saw pitcher Taisuke Yamaoka surrender four runs in the sixth inning after starting with a three-run lead. Ryuhei Sotani was even forced to leave a game after being struck by a broken bat.

The Orix Buffaloes face an uphill battle as they strive to salvage their season and secure a Climax Series berth. Whether they can overcome their struggles against Softbank remains to be seen.