SAPPORO, Japan (Interstat) — In a tightly contested playoff pitchers’ duel defined by dominant starting performances, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters defeated the Orix Buffaloes 2-0 on Saturday, October 11, 2025, before a crowd of 34,165 at Sapporo Dome.

The victory, which defied a pregame projection that favored the Buffaloes, gave the Fighters a crucial advantage in the best-of-three series.

Nippon-Ham starter Hiromi Itoh was the story of the game, delivering a masterful performance to stifle the Orix offense. The winning pitcher tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while striking out nine and walking none. His command was impeccable, as he consistently worked ahead in the count and neutralized the heart of the Buffaloes’ lineup.

Orix starter Shunpeita Yamashita was nearly as effective in a losing effort, holding the Fighters to two earned runs on six hits over six innings of work. He struck out five but was ultimately outdueled by Itoh.

The Fighters broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second inning. Yuya Gunji led off the frame with a double down the right-field line. Yua Tamiya advanced him to third with a well-executed sacrifice bunt, and Chusei Mannami delivered the game’s first run with a sharp single to shallow left field, scoring Gunji.

Nippon-Ham added an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth. After a double play erased a leadoff single by Franmil Reyes, Gunji stepped to the plate with two outs and launched a solo home run to left field, providing the final margin of victory.

The Buffaloes threatened only once, loading the bases with two outs in the top of the fourth inning. Yamashita worked himself into trouble by allowing a single and two walks, but he escaped the jam by inducing a groundout from Taishi Hirooka to end the inning.

Orix also put runners on first and second with no outs in the fifth, but Itoh expertly navigated the threat. Kotaro Kurebayashi grounded into a double play, and a fly out to center field ended the inning, preserving the Fighters’ shutout.

Following Itoh’s departure, the Nippon-Ham bullpen was flawless. Seigi Tanaka pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out one. Closer Yukiya Saito entered in the ninth and retired the side in order, striking out one to secure his fourth save of the season.

The loss dropped Orix’s overall record to 74-67-3, while Nippon-Ham improved to 83-58-1. The two teams are scheduled to meet again at Sapporo Dome on Sunday, October 12, for the second game of the series.