NPB· Season 2026
Seibu Lions rode a six-run fourth inning and Franmil Canalio's homer to a 7-4 win over Orix Buffaloes at Tokyo Dome in NPB action on 18 August 2026.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
Orix struck first in the third inning against Seibu starter Kaima Taira. Shuta Wakatsuki grounded out to third with runners on the corners, plating Chusei Nakagawa for a 1-0 lead.
The game flipped entirely in the bottom of the fourth. Seibu sent 11 batters to the plate against Orix starter Kuri and reliever Tomiyama. The rally began with back-to-back singles from Kojima and a walk to Nevin, then Franmil Canalio ripped an RBI single to left. Taira Hirasawa followed with a two-run double down the right-field line. After a walk loaded the bases, Genda singled through the left side for another run. A throwing error on a fielder's choice by Nishikawa allowed the fifth run to score, and Kojima capped the inning with his second hit of the frame — an RBI single to left — making it 6-1.
Canalio led off the fifth with a solo home run to left-centre off reliever Iwasaki — his second hit of the night and third RBI — extending the lead to 7-1.
Orix chipped away. Shu So led off the sixth with a solo homer to right off Taira, his 11th of the season. In the eighth, Kurebayashi's two-out single and Kida's single off reliever Yamada pulled Orix within 7-4.
Closer Kaifune worked a scoreless ninth despite allowing a leadoff single and a walk, striking out Yamanaka swinging with two on to end the game.
The Turning Point
The fourth-inning eruption. Orix starter Kuri laboured through 3.1 innings, allowing four hits and six runs (three earned) with three walks. Once Seibu's lineup turned over and began seeing pitches a second time, they ambushed everything. The key blow was Hirasawa's two-run double with no outs, which immediately swung the win probability and knocked Kuri out of the game.
Key Performers
- Franmil Canalio (Seibu) — 3-for-4, HR, 2B, BB, 2 RBI, 2 R. The Lions' cleanup hitter was a menace all night, driving in the first run of the fourth and adding a solo homer in the fifth.
- Kaima Taira (Seibu) — Winning pitcher (9-3). 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 101 pitches. Taira settled after the shaky third and retired eight straight batters through the middle innings.
- Kurebayashi (Orix) — 3-for-4, RBI. The shortstop was the only Buffaloes hitter to truly solve Taira, reaching base three times.
- Kojima (Seibu) — 3-for-5, 2B, RBI, R. The catcher set the table from the No. 2 spot with three hits.
Player of the Match: Franmil Canalio (Seibu Lions)
By the Numbers — Interpreted
Both teams finished with 11 hits apiece, but the damage distribution tells the story. Orix scattered their hits across eight innings without a multi-run inning, while Seibu concentrated six runs on five hits in a single frame. Orix's 11 hits produced only four runs (two via solo homers), reflecting their inability to string together rallies against Taira. Seibu's bullpen of Yamada, Wingenter and Kaifune allowed two inherited runners to score but got the final six outs without further damage.
Orix starter Kuri threw 88 pitches but recorded only 10 outs, leaving his bullpen to cover 4.2 innings.
What It Means
Seibu (55-47) solidified second place in the Pacific League with the win. Orix (51-51) fell back to .500, now 5.5 games behind Seibu. The two sides meet again on 19 August for Game 19 of their season series. Seibu then travel to face the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks from 21 August, while Orix head home to Kyocera Dome to host the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Verdict
This was a game decided by one swing inning. Seibu's patience at the plate in the fourth forced Kuri into deep counts, and once the floodgates opened, Orix never fully recovered. Taira's ability to limit damage after his one rocky inning kept Seibu in control.
Rivalry since 2024
Seibu Lions vs Orix Buffaloes Head to Head Results· 50
Seibu Lions and Orix Buffaloes have met 50 times — Seibu Lions won 24, Orix Buffaloes won 25, with 1 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2024. Orix Buffaloes leads the head-to-head with 25 victories from 50 meetings. A combined 297 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 5.94 per match (135 for the home side, 162 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 38 matches (76%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 45 games (90%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 10–5 in 2025.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 19 Aug 2026