2026 PERSOL Climax Series Pacific League First Stage Game 1: Seibu Lions vs. Nippon-Ham (10th, Belluna Dome)

This season's Pacific League ERA leader among right-handers, Seibu Lions starting pitcher Kaima Taira, left the mound after allowing 6 hits and 2 runs over 5 innings.

Mizuno, the lead-off hitter in the first inning, was retired on a first-pitch 154 km/h fastball for a groundout to first, and the following batter Shibata was retired on a 140 km/h change-up for a groundout to second. With two outs, Reyes reached base with a hit to center field, but finally, he struck out Mannami looking with a 131 km/h sweeper.

In the second inning, the lead-off batter Yazawa reached base with an infield hit to first base. On the third pitch to the following batter Yamagata, the catcher Kojima's throw to second base, intended to prevent the first base runner from stealing second, went wild, creating a crisis with a runner on third and no outs. At this point, he shifted gears. After striking out Yamagata looking on the ninth pitch from a full count, he struck out the next batter Kiyomiya swinging, and finally struck out Shindo swinging with a powerful 155 km/h fastball, clenching his right fist slightly.

In the third inning, with one out, he gave up Walk fastball Shibata, but managed to shut down the subsequent hit. However, in the fourth inning, he walked Yazawa, the leadoff batter, and although he managed to get to second base with two outs, he gave up a two-run homer to Narama that landed in the left field stands, giving the opposing team the lead. Taira stared blankly at the trajectory of the ball, and when he saw it land, he winced.

Although he had already thrown 85 pitches by the end of the fourth inning, he continued to pitch in the fifth. With one out, he allowed a hit to center field by Shibata for the second consecutive at-bat, eventually leading to a bases loaded situation with two outs. However, he struck out Yamagata swinging with a 136 km/h slider at the end, preventing any additional runs.