2026 PERSOL Climax Series Pacific League First Stage Game 1: Seibu Lions 3x-2 Nippon-Ham (10th inning, extra inning) - October 10, Belluna Dome

Nippon-Ham suffered a walk-off loss to the Seibu Lions, leaving them pushed to the brink.

Starting pitcher Arihara gave up a solo home run to Hirasawa of the Seibu Lions in the first inning, allowing them to take a one-point lead. However, in the fourth inning, Narama hit a two-run home run to left-center field to turn the game around.

However, Arihara gave up a timely hit to center field to Nishikawa with one out and a runner on second in the fifth inning, allowing the game to be tied 2-2, and was removed from the mound after this inning. He finished with 5 hits and 2 runs allowed over 5 innings.

After that, both relief squads held firm, and the game went into an extra inning. In the 10th inning, the sixth pitcher, Hosono, gave up a walk-off home run over the left field fence to Canario and was defeated.

After the game, Manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo (54) looked ahead, saying, 'Canario (who hit the walk-off home run) hadn't been doing well at all today. But in those kinds of situations, he's a scary batter. I think it was an entertaining game for the fans, and although the result will be reversed tomorrow, I want to show them another exciting game.'

The team aims to break through the Climax Series First Stage for the third consecutive year. The manager, whose continuation for next season has already been decided, spoke after practice on the 9th, saying, 'If it goes to one win and one loss, it will be more exciting, in a sense. Even for the club's business operations. It has to be that way. Well, it will probably be decided by a small mistake. We are 12 wins and 12 losses against the Seibu Lions this season. I think the fans understand that as well. I want to make it exciting.'